By morning, Morgana had still not stirred. Gaius had moved her to Krysia's old bed for observation. They'd pulled the bed into the main area where Gaius could watch over her, and to give Merlin some privacy if she had visitors at all hours.

Krysia stood nearby, half-hoping Gaius would give her something to do as Uther sat beside Morgana, shaken. Gwen wouldn't stop crying, Arthur wouldn't stop searching for something to do, and the whole castle seemed to have gone quiet.

Uther turned to Krysia, who was watching him, and he motioned for her to come sit with him. She did, sitting at the end of the bench, waiting for him to speak, watching the unconscious Morgana.

"How can I help, sire?" she said.

He hesitated, then said, "It would be of great help if you could coordinate with the council to reallocate some of my duties for the next few days."

There was one benefit to having been his servant for so long, she thought, almost bitterly. He was fully aware of her capabilities, and he could trust her to do difficult work for him at a moment's notice.

"Of course, sire," she said.

She stood to go, and he grabbed her hand suddenly. Krysia froze, turning to look at him, but he was still staring at Morgana.

"I might take dinner here," he whispered. "Would you…?"

"I'll make sure it's all arranged."

"Thank you," he said, and he let her hands slip from his.

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Leon was pacing the council chamber when Krysia entered suddenly. He always startled when he saw her these days, always some new beautiful gown, always her hair in a new fashion. He knew Enid was driving her up the wall with all the changes with her hair, but she did look beautiful, and she had conceded once where he could hear that it was nice to have someone else do her hair.

"How is the Lady Morgana?" he said.

"Still unconscious," she said. She allowed him to kiss her hand. "The king hesitates to leave her side."

Leon nodded, and he wondered whether this was the right or wrong time to say that the blue complemented her well. Probably wrong.

"We'll need to reallocate his duties," Krysia said. "He's asked me to arrange it with the council. Anything that can be done by someone other than the king ought still be done, and anything that must wait should be prioritized for when he has a moment and the frame of mind to work."

"Of course, my lady," Leon said. "I can gather the council for you. Would you like to meet immediately or—?"

"No," Krysia whispered. "No, I need to speak with the kitchens as well. Let people take their midday meals. We can convene after that."

She was turning to leave, and Leon said, "Lady Krysia." She paused, turning. The light off the gold threads on the lining and the bodice caught his eye, and he carefully and quickly returned his attention to her face. "This suits you."

"Suits me?" she said, genuinely not seeing. "What does?"

"Taking control," he said. "This is the first time since your status was instated that you've seemed comfortable as a lady. It suits you well, acting for the king."

She smiled weakly and said, "It's the first time since then that I've felt like I had a purpose."

He bowed his head slightly, and she bowed hers back before she hurried to deal with whatever her business was with the kitchens.

/-/

Uther sat at Morgana's side, and she was still not awakening. He knew he could trust Arthur and Krysia to see to matters of state, but he was feeling the weight of history on him especially. Arthur, Morgana, Krysia…in one way or another, he felt the weight of the death of their parents. From an outside observation, the death of Lady Vivienne was the most tragic, but the one that haunted him without fail was still Zosia, even since Krysia was instated. More than Ygraine, more than even Gorlois. Those had felt necessary, even somewhat out of his control because of the darkness of magic. But Zosia…

He stroked Morgana's hair gently, thinking how much she resembled her mother.

"So beautiful," he whispered.

"Yes, sire," Gaius said near him.

"I cannot watch her die, Gaius."

There was a long pause before Gaius answered, "I wish there was something I could do, sire, but—"

"No, you do not understand," Uther said firmly. "I cannot lose her. No matter what happens, she cannot die."

Surely Gaius would remember what he'd done before to save those he loved. Surely Gaius would understand.

"I will do everything I can, sire—"

He turned and said earnestly, "No, Gaius, whatever it takes. Whatever, I do not care. You must save her."

"If I knew a way—"

Uther had lost his temper by this point, and the euphemisms were not enough. Perhaps Gaius had grown fearful in his age, or perhaps he simply didn't understand the necessity of Morgana's life the way Uther felt it.

"You're not understanding me, Gaius!" Uther said. "I do not care what remedy you use. In all these books, there must be something…something in the old religion?"

The shock was clear on Gaius's face when what Uther was asking became clear to him. Perhaps especially after the spectacle of insisting on Krysia's being free of magic, Gaius truly had not expected this.

"Are you suggesting—?"

"Sorcery?" Uther whispered. "Yes."

God help him, he was. He could almost feel Zosia laughing at him.

"Sire, but surely you're not going to risk everything for Morgana—"

"Gaius, you do not understand," Uther said. "There's something you should know. Something I've told no one, although I expect Lady Zosia was aware… Morgana is my daughter." Gaius was clearly stunned, but he waited silently. "It was while Gorlois was away; was fighting on the northern plains. Her mother, Vivienne grew lonely…"

"I understand, sire," Gaius said.

Uther drew himself up. He'd bared enough of his soul for one day.

"I've said enough," he said. "But people must never know who Morgana really is, for Arthur's sake."

"I assure you, sire," Gaius said, "your secret is safe with me."

Uther nodded and decided he should check on how Lady Krysia was faring with organizing affairs and inform her he would take his meals in his room for the moment. Better to give Gaius the space to do what must be done.

/-/

Uther stared out his window, lost in his memories. He wondered again, not for the first time but still a rare occurrence, about the child he fathered even before Morgana. What had become of him after all those years?

There was a knock on the door, but he did not turn as the door opened.

The voice of Arthur's servant greeted him, so Uther turned slowly to look at him.

"Sire," the servant said. He held out a vial. "This is from Gaius. He thought it might help ease your mind."

He set the vial on the nearest table, then turned to leave.

"You're Gaius's boy," Uther whispered.

The boy paused, then said, "He is my guardian."

"You're like a son to him."

"Yes."

Uther inhaled. Gaius had been Krysia's guardian as well, for so many years. A role that, ironically, Uther should have filled himself.

"I see the way he cares for you," Uther said. "You feel your child's every joy, and their pain. You watch their failings, and you see your own. All you want is for their happiness...for them to escape the sufferings of life. Wh-why has this happened? I would—I would do anything—anyth—"

He stopped himself as he felt tears coming, and he turned back to the window. Gaius understood. Gaius would save her. He had to believe that there was some way in sorcery to make it right.

/-/

In the evening, Krysia and Gwen stayed up with Morgana while Gaius went to see to a feverish child in the town. It had been a long day, and Krysia's hair felt like it was wilting around her head. She'd wrangled several barons into doing their part, she'd worked with the knights and Arthur to arrange the next week's patrols, and she'd made plans with the kitchens for meal delivery to several different rooms over the next few days for the king, to be adjusted on a moment's notice depending on the condition of the Lady Morgana and the king's own state of mind. It was the longest day she'd had since she was recognized as a lady, and she'd not felt so alive since.

Merlin came in and sat beside them on a bench.

"I'll sit with her," he said firmly. "Why do you not go and get some sleep? You must be exhausted."

Krysia said nothing, narrowing her eyes as Gwen hesitated. Gwen was, indeed, exhausted. She'd had almost no sleep since they brought Morgana into Gaius's chambers. But Krysia could recognize the difference between Merlin being helpful and Merlin manipulating.

"If she wakes up—" Gwen began.

"I'll call you!" Merlin said, forcing a smile.

"Thank you," Gwen said.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Krysia said, "Whatever you're thinking, or whatever you're about to ask me, I'm going to tell you it's a bad idea."

"I won't ask you anything," Merlin said, moving his chair toward Morgana. "I already know what I need to do."

"Merlin—"

"Uther told Gaius to use sorcery today," Merlin whispered. "While you were meeting with the council, he said that Morgana is his daughter, and whatever had to be done to save her should be done."

Krysia stared at Merlin for a long moment before she whispered, "Well, that explains why he…why she…" She sighed. "It explains everything, actually."

Merlin nodded.

"So Gaius said to do this?"

His hesitation was everything. Krysia was about to tell him that he shouldn't do anything without Gaius's approval, but Merlin was already heading her off.

"If magic saves her," Merlin said, "then surely Uther will see—"

"How can you be so naïve, Merlin?" Krysia said with a bitter laugh. "Uther will see nothing except that this one act was justified because it met the ends he required. He will not change his mind, and before you say that Arthur will, Uther will never confess that he asked for magic to heal her, because he would have to justify why he took such a risk. If Morgana is a Pendragon, Arthur is not the only heir. Arthur may not even be the strongest heir, depending on who might support her. Uncertainty is dangerous in royal bloodlines, Merlin. Uther will try to take that secret to his grave."

Merlin shook his head, pressing his hand against Morgana's forehead, and he said, "It's still the right thing to do."

Krysia wasn't so sure, not with everything the dragon had said to them about Morgana and her role in history, but she watched as Merlin said an incantation in a language she didn't recognize. Morgana's color improved immediately, and she sighed.

/-/

Uther went directly to Gaius's chambers in the morning, before his servant could even bring him breakfast. Gaius was not there, but Morgana was, somehow, stirring. He sat beside her, waiting, wishing.

Against all hope, her eyes did open, and he gasped, leaning closer to her.

"Morgana?"

She smiled at him weakly, and he laughed, drawing her into his arms.

"I never thought," he began to say, and then he realized Gaius was there. He must have entered while Morgana was waking.

"It's truly a miracle!" Uther said, relieved that his old friend had found a way.

/-/

Krysia and Merlin sat together in silence, and she waited for Gaius to find them and perhaps even scold them. Even though Kryisa had done nothing, she felt that she was complicit somehow.

She heard the king's voice, and she sat a bit straighter.

"Thank you, Gaius. I knew you would not fail me."

Gaius said, "I assure you, sire, I did nothing."

"Of course, I understand. I will not ask any questions…but I will not forget this, Gaius."

Krysia held her breath and listened to the footsteps, and Gaius found them sitting together, his face saying everything.

"I did tell him not to," she said softly.

"I could not watch everyone's grief—" Merlin began.

"I know," Gaius said. "But you're playing with things that are beyond you."

Krysia shivered, rubbed her hands, and steeled herself for something worse to come.

/-/

Leon knocked on Krysia's door, and she was securing a belt when she bid him enter. Her dress was pure white, flowing, seeming almost to be a second skin with how it fitted her. He forgot for a moment what he'd come to ask her, instead recalling with alarming ease the dream he'd once had where she had stripped to nothing and stepped into a warm bath, coaxing him to join her. When had his mouth gone dry?

"Was there something you needed?" she said.

He cleared his throat as she sat at her looking glass.

"I wanted to see if you knew how the king was disposed to work today, my lady," he said.

"The Lady Morgana is recovering," Krysia said.

Leon was not sure if he was more surprised at her words, or the lack of surprise with which she said them.

"I would give him another day," Krysia continued, brushing out her hair, "but I expect he'll be itching to return to normal work tomorrow."

She set her brush down and frowned at herself.

"Should I call Enid?" Leon said.

"Gods, no," she said, laughing. "You know the reason women adorn themselves so impractically, Leon?" He shook his head. "It's to allay boredom. I'd rather allay my boredom by doing something useful."

"That's fair enough," Leon said, crossing to stand behind her, "however there is some practicality to having your hair out of your face."

"Yes, but—"

"May I?"

She gave him a wry smile and let him plait a few small plaits near both sides of her face, enough to keep the hair back. She put on a silver headdress to hold the plaits back without pins, and he smiled at how even such a simple change really did make her look regal.

"Amazing," she said.

"What is?"

"That you with your fat fingers can accomplish so much in fifteen minutes where Enid and all her skill takes hours to accomplish as much."

"My work is nowhere near as beautiful as Enid's," Leon said

"But equally functional," she said, standing. "More so, perhaps. I should see how the Lady Morgana's move to her own chambers has gone. Is there anything else you require from me, Leon?"

"No, my lady," he said, forcing himself to focus only on her face and hand, which he kissed. That dress might drive him mad. "I will see you in the council chamber after the midday meal."

/-/

Uther sat beside Morgana in her own quarters now, thrilled to see how well she had recovered. She dismissed her servant, and he took her hands in his, and they were so much warmer than they'd been. Still she was weak, but that would recover soon.

"I could never let you die," he said. "I think I willed you to live."

"You've been so good to me," she said. "I'm grateful."

"You and Arthur…" he hesitated. He hoped she could understand without knowing. "You mean everything you me, Morgana."

She smiled at him and said, "I know I could not have a better guardian. Being so close to death has made me realize how important you and Arthur are to me. How close we are to each other."

"Yes," he said, relieved that she understood.

"You're like a father to me," she said.

"Yes."

He squeezed her hands gently.

"I wish the people knew that," she said.

"They do," he said.

Her face darkened slightly, and she said, "Not really."

"Of course they do," he said, suddenly fearing that there might be some risk if he even showed too much favoritism. If he elevated her over Krysia, for example, the questions…

"In the eyes of the people I am no more than your ward," she said. "A guest."

Yes, there it was. Perhaps she felt threatened by Krysia's elevation. But if he made that choice…

He forced a smile and said, "What matters is how we feel. That's what's important, not what the people think. I must let you rest."

He hurried out of the room, wishing he had a simpler path, one that allowed him to preserve Arthur's claims and their solidity without denying his daughter, but needs must.

/-/

Krysia startled that evening as the warning bell sounded. She'd been just about to dress for bed, but she told Enid she would return shortly, took her dagger, and she hurried out to the corridors. It did not take her long to find Arthur, who was standing at the foot of a servant, who was lying on the floor. He was speaking to the guards, and Krysia stood, staring, as Gaius and Merlin arrived on the scene.

"We need to seal the drawbridge," Arthur was telling a guard. "Search the grounds." He turned to Gaius and said, "I'll inform the king."

He looked like he was about to tell Krysia to leave, but she gave him her best defiant stare, and he nodded his head instead.

Gaius raised the hand of the servant, and Merlin looked shaken.

"Merlin, what's the matter?" Gaius said.

Merlin said, "That was the next picture I saw in the crystal. I have not stopped anything!"

Krysia and Merlin exchanged a nervous look, and she wished her next thought wasn't that they should have let Morgana die.

"I'll go to the king," Krysia said.

/-/

Krysia slipped into Uther's chambers without knocking. She wasn't sure where she could hide and have a good excuse should the king wake and no danger come to him, but she hid behind the nearest pillar.

She held her breath as Morgana entered, stopping short of the bed. Whatever happened to Merlin, he wasn't following her. But Krysia could deal with that later.

She watched Morgana take out her dagger. Morgana lifted it to stab the king, and Krysia closed her eyes, incanting in her mind to avoid detection.

The window blew inwards, throwing Morgana into a nearby wall, and Uther woke with a start.

"What's going on?" Uther said

Morgana hid her dagger and said, "Er…there was a fire. I… I was scared."

She approached the bed, and Krysia watched her slip the dagger under the bed.

"I wanted to be with you," Morgana said. "You're the only person I feel safe with."

Uther took Morgana into his embrace and Krysia waited for her opportunity to leave, finally happy to have soft-soled shoes.

One thing was clear, however. Morgana knew, somehow, that Uther was her father. She knew, and now Arthur was in more danger than ever before.

A/N:

Krysia's found how she can be useful, Uther has a lot of guilt on the brain, and Leon is struuuuggling.

-C