The castle was upside down with worry, and Krysia and Merlin were called to Morgana's chambers in the early hours, each by their own masters. It seemed a fire had begun in Morgana's chambers in the night and had put her in considerable danger.

Merlin set to work cleaning the fragments of glass and burned materials, and Krysia oversaw the damages, listened to Uther and Arthur questioning Gwen, and felt an eerie sensation like she'd seen this before.

"I came back in with some extra blankets," Gwen was saying. "There was a candle, but I put it out."

"Are you sure?" Uther prompted.

"I blew it out, I swear."

"Gwen's been Morgana's servant for years," Arthur said. "If she said she blew it out, I believe her."

Uther then turned to Krysia who was still trying to shake the sensation that she had seen this before.

"We're fortunate she woke, sire," Krysia said. "It was a quick blaze, and had it been allowed to spread, she would not have made it out of the room."

Uther's face contracted, and Arthur quickly said, "Lightning struck the castle roof last night. That could have started the fire."

"Perhaps," Uther said, clearly unconvinced.

"What other explanation is there?"

"Someone started the fire deliberately."

A pit settled in Krysia's stomach and she realized where she had seen this before. She once started a fire in her own chambers as a child, in her sleep, when she had a nightmare. Her mother had been terribly kind about it, had calmed her and reminded her she was safe, had told her that it was alright, that her gift made it difficult sometimes. But a maid had loose lips. That was the beginning of the end.

Krysia walked with the king and Arthur toward the council chambers, leaving Merlin to finish cleaning the mess.

"If someone deliberately started the fire," Krysia said, "it would require them to reach Morgana's chambers through the whole of the castle. Yet we've had no reports of an intruder."

"There are too many guards," Arthur said. "It shouldn't be possible."

"And yet they managed to do so," Uther said.

"I can't explain it," Arthur said.

"Well, I can," Uther said, stopping and causing the other two to stop with him. "They used magic." Krysia's stomach twisted. "Arrest all those we have under suspicion."

"That's gonna take time," Arthur said.

"My ward has been attacked," Uther snarled. "Time is something we do not have."

Arthur bowed his head and went straight away to do his father's bidding, and Krysia waited for Uther to either continue walking or to give her direction. For a long moment, he said nothing, and then he looked directly at her.

"Go to Gaius," he said. "I want him to search the room for signs of magic."

"Yes, sire," she said.

She hurried to Gaius's chambers, and before she could enter, she saw Merlin lingering outside the door. She frowned at him, but he held his finger to his lips and nodded toward the door. She stood on the other side of it, and she could hear the conversation of Gaius and Morgana inside.

"You're the only person I've told about my dreams," Morgana was saying. "I know I can trust you, Gaius."

"Yes, of course you can."

"It was me," Morgana said. "I set the room alight. I started the fire."

Krysia blinked at the tears forming in her eyes, and she did not look at Merlin when she could feel him looking at her.

"I don't understand," Gaius said. "Did you knock a candle over?"

"No, that's not what happened. I did it just by looking at it, the flames suddenly leapt higher."

"It could've been a gust of wind."

"It wasn't," Morgana said. "It was me. It was magic."

"My child—"

"I'm not a child!"

Krysia felt like she couldn't breathe. She began to walk up the corridor, and she wasn't surprised when Merlin followed her soon after.

"Are you alright?" he said.

"Yes," she whispered. It was unconvincing, she knew. They sat in an alcove at the end of the corridor, and she looked to make sure there was no one who might hear before she said. "I really think it's a mistake, not telling her the truth."

"So do I," Merlin said.

"I…I set a fire on accident when I was a child," she said. "It was terrifying. But I wasn't alone. And I was told promptly what it was. And I lost everything anyway, but at least I knew why."

They sat in silence for a long moment, and they were both silent as they saw Morgana leave Gaius's chambers. They sat until she was well away, and then Krysia said, "I'm supposed to send Gaius to check her chambers for signs of magical intrusion."

"I suppose you'd better," Merlin whispered.

Krysia took a deep breath, buried her feelings and memories, and went to do her job.

/-/

When Gaius returned from his cursory search of Morgana's chambers and his report to the king, he began making a potion. Merlin startled Krysia by beginning a very casual conversation about Morgana's chambers.

"I was helping clear up Morgana's chambers earlier," he said.

"Hmm?" Gaius said, almost purposefully not engaging.

"The window was blown out into the courtyard below."

"Hmm."

Krysia was growing frustrated, and she said, "Gaius, you know as well as I do that it was only one thing. It was magic. She did magic. And she knows it too."

Suddenly listening, Gaius said, "Morgana knows nothing for certain."

"Which makes it even worse," Merlin said. "She isn't sure what's happening to her, and it's tearing her apart."

"What would you have me do?" Gaius said.

"Talk to her. Tell her she'll be okay. Tell her that her powers aren't something to be afraid of."

Gaius hesitated, and Krysia realized he wouldn't. She could understand the dangers, of course, but surely it was more dangerous to allow her powers to burst out unchecked?

"Maybe I should," Krysia whispered.

Merlin seemed nervous about this suggestion, and he said, "Maybe I could speak to her."

"No," Gaius said firmly. "You can't, neither of you can."

"Why not?" Merlin said. "We understand what she's going through."

"You must never reveal your secret," Gaius insisted. "Not to anyone."

"There has to be someone who can comfort her," Krysia said. "She can't feel alone."

"Who?" Gaius demanded. "This is a kingdom where magic is outlawed, or have you forgotten that?"

The sting in his voice was shocking and more painful than perhaps he meant it. Krysia could imagine that it wasn't pleasant for Gaius to have them gang up on him in this way, but she couldn't let it go.

"There are those who still practice it," Merlin said. "What about the druids? You said that they help people like this."

"Uther's vowed to destroy them. The druids cannot help her. It would be suicide."

"Then who can?"

"It has to be one of us," Krysia said. "Someone near her, someone she trusts. Right now, Gaius, you're the only one she trusts."

"You need to be honest with her," Merlin said.

Gaius grew increasingly defensive and said, "What makes you so certain that you know better than me?"

"Because I went through the same thing," Merlin said. "I know exactly how she's feeling right now."

Gaius's jaw set and he said, "You cannot get involved in this. No good can come of it. I mean it, Merlin. Stay out of it!"

When Merlin left them, too frustrated to stay, Gaius looked to Krysia.

"I'm not following him," she whispered.

"I'm disappointed in you," Gaius said.

Again, she blinked at tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, and she said, "Gaius, you can't possibly understand what we went through as children. You practiced magic willingly as a young man. You studied because you wanted to learn and understand. You never woke to flames in your bedroom at night like I did, like Morgana just did."

"Krysia…"

"I can understand the caution," she said quickly. "I understand the danger. I can understand even not telling her about her powers to keep her safe, but what I'll never understand, Gaius, is lying to her."

Gaius seemed about to say something else, but Krysia stood and said, "I have to return to my work."

He did not fight as she left the room, and she couldn't shake the heaviness from her shoulders.

/-/

The next morning, Merlin was sitting on the foot of his bed, thinking. Krysia watched him for a long moment before clearing her throat. He startled, then turned his back so she could change.

"What's got you so thoughtful?" she said.

"Just…Morgana," he said. "She tried to tell me about it last night. She was hysterical. I…held the line."

Krysia hummed and straightened out her dress.

"The dragon warned me not to help her," Merlin said. "I asked him to help me find the druids, and he refused. Do you think Morgana could be dangerous?"

Krysia hesitated, then said, "I think anyone's capable of being dangerous, Merlin. And I think…I think should Morgana truly become an enemy, she'd be a very formidable one. She's the best liar I know, for one, and she's not afraid of much, including Uther."

"She's got such a good heart."

"Yes," Krysia said, walking around to let him know he could stop staring at the door. "The trouble is, I think Uther did once, too. Life has a way of hardening people."

Merlin frowned up at her and said, "So you think I shouldn't help her?"

"I didn't say that," Krysia said, crossing her arms. "I just…think you should be careful, alright?"

She realized it was like asking a man to carry water in his hands across a city, but Merlin assured her he would be careful, and that was the best she was getting for now.

/-/

Leon had very mixed feelings about delivering the scroll of names to Arthur. He understood Uther's concerns about Morgana's safety. He even understood bringing people in for questioning, if there were more evidence.

What he didn't understand was arresting everyone even remotely suspected of consorting with anyone suspected of magic. It was no short list.

And he couldn't stop thinking that the list was short one, the kindest person he knew. And if she really did have magic, then what of all these other people?

He was on his way to gather the knights when he almost walked right into Krysia.

"My lady," he said, unthinking.

The surprise on her face alerted him to his mistake, and he could have kicked himself.

"What on earth are you so distracted by?" she said with a laugh. "It's only me."

"Apologies," he said. "I…I am gathering the knights to make arrests."

"I see," she said. Her face darkened almost instantly. "I imagine the list is long."

He hummed.

She seemed to want to say or ask something else, and he just stared at her, recalling her as a little girl, petting a lame cat back to health. It was the most remarkable, wonderous thing he'd ever seen, not a hint of evil about it.

"You should be careful," he finally said. "While this is going on…. Please be careful."

"I'm always careful, Leon," she said. Her smile was so sweet. He didn't want to leave her, but he'd been given orders.

"I know," he said. "I…"

"Go," she said, shaking her head. "I'm sure you've a long day ahead."

He bowed his head slightly, and again, she looked at him, surprised. When he was out of her earshot, he cursed his carelessness.

/-/

After a day of arrests and fear, Krysia was not surprised that Merlin wasn't precisely careful. In the morning, the warning bells rang, and Krysia found herself in Morgana's chambers again with Uther and Arthur.

"The guards have completed their search of the castle," Arthur said. "There's no trace of her."

"Encircle the city," Uther said. "No one gets in or out."

The guard let Gaius into the room, and he said, "You sent for me, Sire?"

Gaius and Krysia met each other's gaze for only a moment.

"Yes," Uther said. "What time did you deliver the sleeping draught to Morgana?"

Gaius was clearly surprised to learn that the sleeping draught had been delivered, and Krysia quickly said, "It was late, after she'd retired to her chambers, was it not?"

"The guards said Merlin delivered it then, yes," Arthur said.

"So she was safe then?" Uther asked Gaius.

"Yes," Gaius said. "Well, I suppose she must've been."

Krysia knew that as soon as he got back to his chambers, Gaius would have words with Merlin. She decided to take her lunch in the kitchens. She wasn't sure which side she was going to take in that fight.

/-/

In the council chamber that evening, Arthur came to give his report. Krysia poured more wine for Uther, who did not even look up when his son entered.

"Have all the suspects been arrested?" Uther said.

"Nearly," Arthur said. "A few have gone to ground."

"Issue a proclamation," Uther said. "'All the prisoners will be executed unless the Lady Morgana is returned to Camelot.'"

Krysia and Arthur shared a surprised look. As a threat, it was a decent one, but they both knew Uther well enough to recognize when something was more than a threat. Considering how many of these people were not even confirmed to have consorted with anyone, a lot of innocent people would die.

"I'll see to it, sire," Arthur said, and Krysia counted down the moments until she was dismissed for the night.

/-/

When they were alone in the dark, Krysia told Merlin about the proclamation, and she watched him realize the weight of what he'd done.

"Morgana wouldn't want this," Merlin said.

"I don't think Uther's particular on what Morgana would want," Krysia said. "You need to find a way to fix this, Merlin. But be careful."

"I will," he said. "I will. Cover for me with Gaius?"

"I'll try," she whispered. She watched him sneak out into the night, and she tried to think what excuses she might give.

/-/

In the morning, Krysia came out alone, and Gaius looked at her, puzzled.

"Where's Merlin?" he said.

Krysia hesitated, then said, "He's…gone to put it right."

Gaius narrowed his eyes and said, "You'd better cover for him with Arthur then. And Krysia, be careful. You know Merlin probably wasn't."

/-/

She couldn't help thinking that Gaius was right when they were standing at the exit to the tunnel with Uther, Arthur, and some guards, looking at a blown-out grate. What part of careful Merlin continued to not understand, she wasn't sure.

"There's some confusion as to how that was broken," Arthur told his father. "By the looks of these scorch marks—"

"There is no confusion," Uther said. "It was magic. The same magic that was used to start the fire in Morgana's chambers. Where does the trail lead?"

"To the Forest of Ascetir."

Krysia felt a bit dizzy, almost able to feel the dirt in her hands. Thankfully, no one looked at her.

"We've long suspected that the druids have hidden there," Uther said.

"It's a strong trail," Krysia whispered. "Almost careless. Are we certain it's not a trap?"

"Nonsense," Uther said. "Carelessness is all over this situation. Take no prisoners, Arthur. It's time we rid ourselves of these druids once and for all."

He began to walk away, and Krysia hesitated to follow him.

"Where's Merlin?" Arthur asked Gaius and Krysia.

"Erm…. He's, er, he's not well," Gaius said.

"He's still upset about Morgana, isn't he?" Arthur said.

"As are well all, sire," Krysia said.

"Tell him to stop pining, pull himself together, and get back to work," Arthur said.

Krysia and Gaius exchanged a curious look before Krysia hurried off after the king. The mood he was in, nothing good would come of keeping him waiting.

/-/

It was less than an hour when Gaius was called to the council chamber, and Uther waited impatiently for him. Krysia had a fresh cup of wine brought in, knowing that something had to be done to soothe his nerves while he waited.

When Gaius entered, Uther said, "Is there any word from Arthur?"

"No, sire, not yet," Gaius said. "But they haven't been gone long."

"Yes. Of course."

"Why are you so certain that she's been kidnapped?"

"What other possibility is there?" Uther said.

"She was terribly upset after the fire," Krysia said. "It's possible she went away for a while to clear her head."

"That's not Morgana," Uther said. "In all her years, I've never known her to run from anything. Takes after her father too much for that."

Gaius's face softened and he said, "You haven't let Gorlois down. You've looked after that girl as if she were your own."

"That is what she's become," Uther said. "If she were to die, a huge part of me would die with her."

Krysia and Gaius exchanged a nervous look. She wondered what Uther would say if he ever learned she had magic. Krysia had no doubt he would kill Morgana, but what would be left of him after the execution?

/-/

As soon as they had word of knights returning, they hurried to the main square to greet them. Uther was impatient, and Krysia watched him pace. She watched him and recalled her own father, pacing the floor of the forest, running her through her lies one more time before he rode away to try to save the rest of their family.

When Arthur's horse came to a stop, Uther hurried to help Morgana down. He embraced her, and Gwen came up to meet them. Krysia could see Morgana's numbness in her eyes as she let Uther embrace her, no relief at all.

"I was so, so worried about you," Uther said.

"You were right," Arthur said. "It was the druids. They kidnapped her."

Krysia could almost smell the damp soil again, and she could not hold back a shiver.

/-/

That night, Merlin came back in and saw them both looking at him. The pause was long, and then Merlin said softly, "I'm sorry, Gaius."

Gaius stood, crossed the room, and embraced Merlin in a warm hug.

"I thought you'd be angry with me," Merlin said.

"I was," Gaius said. "Right up to the moment you walked in. Then I was just grateful that you're back safe and sound."

"It was reckless," Krysia whispered, "and a lot of good people were lost for it. And…"

And Uther was reminded of magic being connected with the forest of Ascetir.

"Morgana knows the truth," Merlin said. "The druids told her she has magic. Sorry."

"It's not your fault," Gaius said. "You were only doing what you thought was right."

"We all were," Merlin said. "What happens now?"

"You must take care of her," Gaius said. "And hope that Uther never discovers the truth about her powers."

He said it as if it were simple, but all three of them knew what a horribly difficult task it would be.

A/N:

To fantasy.92:

Will Gwaine arrive soon? Hmmm… I will say Gwaine won't arrive in the city of Camelot until his appointed time. I make no further promises.

-C