Hey, thank you for reading. I'm sorry it took me so long to update. I changed this chapter round a few times in my head, before I started writing to get it right. I hope it comes out ok.
MagicalMoonStar. I think she will get better. There has to come a point when all the adrenaline that she is running on, fuelled by hate runs out. That being said I think she will always carry some of this hate with her. I hope you like the way I will write the character's journey. Thank you.
Dawn Ruthless. I worried about the fight, glad it worked. I liked that part too. Thank you very much.
maryamT. Glad the surprise was a good one. Though I don't think it was really a surprise, it was kind of obvious who it was. Thank you so much, I love writing scenes for them. There are just so many layers in all of their interactions. I would love that to. I imagine it in my head like it's the show. So I find it hard to really describe how I see it in writing. I wish I could draw, then I could add pictures of the important scenes. Or if I could do videos, than I could make a trailer or something. I'll just have to stick to writing it as best as I can though, as I can do neither of these things.
I wanted to say that there is a link to the dress Morgana will wear at the end of this chapter on my profile. It is under green white dress. I know that no one said anything about the last dress, but I hope you did have a look, and like have a look at this one.
The sun had started to set by the time the two magic users road up to the castle. One hid under a dark hood, as they held onto the back of the horse's saddle, rather than wrap their arms around the person in-fronts waist. In the faint light of the evening, it was not difficult for Merlin and Morgana to slip through the castle to Gaius's rooms. This was a skill they were both very adept at.
As he opened the door and entered first, Merlin cast a quick glance over the room. Letting out a sigh of relief as he entered, followed by Morgana. He knew there was no way he could keep her presence form Gaius for long. he just didn't want put that conversation off for as long as he could. It was going to be hard enough to have to try and explain his actions to the older man, before he himself fully understood what had made him take sure a risk. Bringing Morgana back.
Morgana looked quickly over the room, as she entered pulling her hood down as she did. A faint smile threatened to cross her face, as she took in the room as a whole. It looked like nothing had changed in the year she had been gone. Not even the smallest bottle on the top shelve seemed to have moved a inch. since she was last time she was here. It gave an odd, very slight felling of comfort, that there was at least one thing that remained constant in the world. When everything else seemed to change at such a fast pace it was near impossible to keep your balance. .
"The challenge takes place tomorrow at noon." Merlin spoke breaking the silence that had fallen over them since they left the isle of the blessed.
She heard his voice and took her eyes off an odd object on a high shelf to look at him. Giving a nod she moved over to the large bench table at the centre of the room. "Do you think Gaius will be pleased to see me." Her tone was one of mock sweetness. She didn't look at him as she spoke, she looked out the small window, her fingers running over the rough wood of the bench as she did.
"Leave that to me." He said as he dropped his pack on to the table.
Now she turned to face him. "And what do you have planned." The witched questioned.
A grin slowly worked its way across his face. "Well, I can't trust you not to try something." He moved towards her.
"If I truly wanted any of you dead, do you really I won't have done it already."
Merlin nodded. "True, but it's still a risk." He lifted his arm "This is simpler." Before she could say or do anything, he spoke two words she knew well. With a look of irritation on her face, knowing what was coming her eyes began to close as she fell into a deep sleep.
Just before she truly began to fall, Merlin was able to slip an arm around her waist. Catching her just before she most likely hit her head on the table. Slipping his other arm under her knees, he picked her up, carrying her to his small room. As he laid her on the bed, something shinny caught his eye. A simple bronze ring attached to a dark blue piece of string hung around her neck. It had been tucked under her dress before so he never noticed it, now it fell lose. Sitting back in the chair in the corner of the room he pulled out the grimoire from its hiding place.
Looking through the pages, he looked for anything that resembled the bronze ring Morgana was wearing. He found nothing. There wasn't even anything that it was close to resembling. Out of frustration he lightly through it across the floor. Where it slide back under the bed. He knew that there had to be some importance to the object. He suspected it was a magical object, that maybe she had traded her healing bracelet for it. Meaning it must be of great importance for her to part with that bracelet. Not being able to sit still not doing anything he pushed himself out of the chair and walked over to her.
Morgana lay on her back, turned slight towards the window. Slowly Merlin reached out his right hand towards her forehead. As he did he paid attention to the ring, trying to see if he could feel any magical presence to it. He didn't, so he lightly placed his finger tips to her forehead. This was something that he had only read about at the end of the book. On a page that looked like Gaius had made an attempt to tare out of the book. The idea was not something he was comfortable with, but like with most things, Morgana had pushed him to a point he never though he would reach. With a flash of gold across his eyes, he tried to see if he could see into her mind.
Her mind was like a million little path ways, some seemed to block him. Gaius had said a long time ago that as a seer her mind worked differently. This was so her visions could be pushed aside during the day, when she wanted to stop them with magic. Finally after what felt to Merlin like a good few minutes, he saw the ring. She was holding it her hand, turning it around with her fingertips. He was about to pull back, when a memory pushed forward to the front of his mind. Pain shot through his arms.
He let out a faint yell as he tore is hand from her forehead. As his breathing slowed returning to normal he glanced down at her. She looked unnaturally peaceful. Whatever had happened to her in the past year, he now knew it was not all pleasant. Rolling over further onto her side, facing him, she curled up into a ball. He was about to move to pick up the blanket at the bottom of bed to lay over her, when he heard the main door to the rooms being shut.
Quickly he moved to the still open door to his room. "Hello." He breathed trying to not sound like he had just rushed to block the door way. Placing his hands on his hips, he tried to further block Gaius's view of his room. He knew he would know she was hear soon enough, he just wanted to tell him first.
"Hello Merlin." The older man moved further into the room. Tilting his head as he did. Causing Merlin to cross his arms over his chest and lean against the doorframe. "I see that things went well. Judging by the fact you have someone sleeping in your bed."
There was a stern tone to his voice that Merlin had not heard in a while. While letting out a deep breath, he moved down the few steps up to his room. finely giving Gaius a clear view of the sleeping witch.
"Morgana." Gaius spoke in a low, slightly sad tone. Deep down, while he knew she was the most likely person to be behind this, he had hoped it wasn't her. "What is going on Merlin."
"She's under a sleeping enchantment. She won't wake up." Merlin glanced back to look at her sleeping figure before speaking. "She's the one who sent the green knight. Only to give Gwen the goblet, she knew nothing of the challenge." He was a little shocked how defensive he sounded. Gaius was not.
Gaius nodded. "So she's returned to help Sir Gwaine." Something in his tone Irritated Merlin. Why was he pointed out was so obvious and why was he referring to Gwaine with his title.
As an answer Merlin simply nodded. His head was slightly lowered to the ground, as he brought it up he asked the question he had been trying to figure out for the last few minutes. "She's wearing a bronze ring around her neck. Its doesn't have any markings but I think it has something to do with what she has been doing this past year. Do you know anything about that."
An answer quickly came to Gaius but he pushed it aside. It couldn't be that. He did find it a little surprising that Merlin didn't seem to think of it himself at all. "No, I can't think of anything."
Merlin moved further into the room again to sit at the bench table. "Did Arthur ask for me."
Gaius was pouring himself some water, before sitting down at the bench, and turned to face Merlin as he answered. "What do you think."
A small laugh escaped the warlock. Then worry crossed his face. "You said the tavern didn't you." Defeatedly Merlin rested his head on the table.
Gaius now sitting down across from him lightly shrugged. "It was the first thing that came to mind."
"Next time please, go with the second, even third thing that comes to mind. Just not the tavern." Merlin muttered, his head still resting on the table.
The pleading tone to his voice brought a smile to Gaius's face. "I'll try." Merlin lifted his head for a second only to lower it again. Looking at the top of his head, Gaius asked the question that had been on his mind since he found out Morgana was sleeping in the next room. "What is your plan, the challenge is tomorrow."
Lifting his head up to meet Gaius's eyes, a smile crossed Merlin's face. "Don't worry. It's all under control."
With a little groan, the older man pulled himself up. "If that's the case, I think we should get some sleep ourselves."
Merlin watched him walk over to his bed in the corner. Though he didn't quite know why he had a feeling that Gaius was feeling a little annoyed at being left out of his plan. Turning his eyes towards his room, it dawned on him. He had nowhere to sleep. Taking of his jacket he lay on the bench seat, using the jacket as a pillow. Staring up at the celling he tried to drift off to sleep.
After what only felt like a few minutes, he was woken up by a sharp pain radiating down his right side. When he opened his eyes he was looking at the legs of the bench seat. He heard Gaius hissing his name, as he pulled himself off eth ground. Laying his jacked under his head again, he tried to get some more sleep.
Unfortunately Sleep was not as essay to come by for the other residents of the castle, who did not know of the secret warlocks plan. Arthur stood by his window, looking out. In the far distance, bathed in faint blue moonlight he could just make out the grounds that would host tomorrow's event.
"Arthur." Her voice was low and sounded like she was asking him a question.
He hadn't heard her enter the room, but didn't react in shock to her presence by his side. Instead he turned to face her, her warm face looking up at him, with concern in her eyes. He looked away from her, back to the arena. "Can you see him."
Her head darted between Arthur and the window. "Who are you taking about."
"The green knight. I'm sure I can see him, there in the arena waiting."
Turning now to face the window, Gwen strained her eyes to see what Arthur was talking about. She didn't see what he was talking about. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she faced him again. "I don't see anything. It's too dark to see clearly, maybe you are mistaking a shape-"
"I know what I'm looking at." In his outburst he shock her hand from him and turned to face her. Looking down at her, he saw fear, for a seconds cross her features. Hating himself for causing that look on her face, he stepped back, leaning against the wall by the window frame. "I'm sorry…..I didn't-"
"I know." She interrupted him, and reached out to take his hand in hers.
"I just…I hate being helpless. I should be able to do something."
She held his hand tighter. "What could you do." He was silent for a while, his eyes drifting back to the window. She knew exactly what he was thinking and she hated it. "Don't you even think that." she moved closer, placing her other hand on his check, forcing him to look at her. "That would solve nothing."
He lifted his right hand, to rest over her hand on his check. "I should be the one to face him tomorrow."
As he knew she would after he said what she told him not to even think, she tried to move away. His hand over hers held her in place. "Please don't say that."
It pained him to hear the pain in her voice, so close to breaking. "They are my men. The knights of the round table. I should be the one-"
"You're the heir to the-"
"In a circle we are all equal."
She pulled way while shocking her head, and loudly letting out a breath. "You think I don't remember. I was there Arthur. There with you standing by your side and you left me behind." She saw him about to reach out, but she moved out of his way. "I waited for you. Not knowing if I ever would see you again. It felt like an eternity."
"Do you think it is any easier to be the one that leaves."
"You know nothing of the pain of those forced to stay behind. The ones left to carry on. When they have lost a part of themselves." She was now close to tears. "You can't allow yourself the luxury of giving in, you must be strong. You go forth, for them. Not knowing is the worst part. Not knowing what is happening to those you love. It is a good thing you learn that now. When you are king and go off, put yourself in danger. This is the feeling you inflict on your people, on me."
Before she said anymore that she too would come to regret saying in the morning, and before she lost her fight to fight back her tears, she moved to leave. Arthur though was quicker, and took hold of her arm, forcing her to stay.
He knew that her words, about those left behind to carry on. They were all too familiar. He had heard them, or words similar form another that had suffered lose in their life. He knew that Gwen had been thinking about her parents, how hard it was for her to keep going on when she lost them. Though it was different, he too had lost a parent.
"I know you have suffered great loses and felt powerless to stop them." His hold on her loosened, as she turned to face him. "But don't think leaving behind the people you love. Knowing that you are not only risking your life, future. You are also risking theirs any easier" While she faced him, she did not look at him. That was till he lifted his other hand to rest under her chin, turning her face up to him. "Our future is the most important thing to me. Don't think it does not pain me to risk that."
"I know. You wouldn't be the man I love if you didn't care for your people. It's just hard being left behind."
A horrible thought crossed his mind that as much as he wanted to, he couldn't push aside. Looking her in the eyes he forced himself to say something he never wanted to say. "As Queen, my wife… it would only-"
"Stop." Her hand quickly moved to rest on either side of his face. "I want so much to be your wife."
"Guinevere-"
"No." She shook her head violently back and forth. "I know it will be hard…but I love you."
Using her hands she pulled his head down into a kiss. His hands lifted and wrapped protectively around her waist, as her hands slide from his checks to the back of his neck. Once they ended the kiss, she tilted her head from him, resting it on his chest as she further lowered her arms to wrap around him. With her eyes closed, she felt his heart beat through his chest. It gave her a strong feeling of safety and security. Knowing that as long as she could hear it, she would be happy.
He looked down at the top of her head, kissing it, they then pulled apart. Their conversation had bought a question to Gwen's mind, one she wasn't sure she should ask. Seeing the calmer look in his light eyes, she took the chance.
"Do you think Morgana would want to know….about Gwaine."
He tensed up a little at his sister's name. This was more to do with the answer to the question than the mere thought of her. Looking away from Gwen again he answered. "Yes, I think she would." Gwen gave a small nod and kept her head lowered a little. "That's why I was going to look for her."
"What." Gwen's eyes shout up to catch his.
"I thought she could use her magic to….." He didn't need to explain more, she understood. "Merlin was the last to see her. When I went to look for him, Gaius said he was gone to the tavern."
"The tavern."
Despite himself a laugh escaped his lips. "It's more common than you'd think." She still didn't look like she fully believed him. "I went there and he wasn't."
Without realising, Gwen slightly nodded her head. "You think he went looking for her on his own."
"I hope that is what he's doing."
Gwen let out a deep breath. The worry that had started to lessen in her came flooding back, stronger. Like Arthur she felt powerless to do anything to help her friends, the people she cared about. What made her feel worse was the inscription written on the inside of the goblet. The words ran through her head, she could see them when she closed her eyes. In the pit of her stomach she knew this was her fault. The goblet, knight had been a warning to her. Her eye had once again started to fall on Lancelot, as the frustration of having to wait for Arthur further started to grow.
She didn't notice him once again wrapping his arms around her, till her head was placed over his heart, and she could be soothed by its steady beat. Lifting her arms she clung tightly to the back of his shirt, wanting to feel at close to him as she could. Making the point that this was where she wanted to be, that she understood how lucky she was.
If they had looked out of the window they would have seen, Lancelot and Leon, trying to help Gwaine back to his room across the main square. They each had one of his arms, wrapped around their neck, as they guided him forward. While they both had a worried look in their eyes, Gwaine himself seemed fairly happy. He had chosen not to worry about tomorrow. What good would that do, whatever was going to happen, would happen. If today was going to be his last day, then he was going to make the most of it, and he in his way had.
A few hours later the sun begin to rise, and the castle slowly came to life. As the servants got up and started on their daily work. Before Merlin could make a start on his daily work, he had one thing he needed to do. After collecting what he needed, he left it on the chair in his room. He then moved over to the bed, where Morgana still lay sleeping. He called her name, but she didn't make any movement. He was about to reach out to shack her awake, but a better idea came to him. Pulling himself back up to his full height, he kicked hard at the side of the bed.
She still didn't make any movement. With a sigh he leaned back down to shack her, but before he could her eyes shot open, and she quickly pulled herself up. Merlin had moved back so quickly, he almost lost his footing.
"What did you see." He asked once steady on his feet.
Her wide eyes turned to face him. "Nothing that concerns you." As she spoke she pulled herself up.
Knowing he would get no more from her on the subject, and with time being of great importance, he put it to the back of his mind. Something else to ask her about when this was done. "Fine." He turned to the object on the chair. "I did what I could, I'll leave you to do the rest."
He left her, closing the door behind him. Creping across the room, to the far corner to make something for Gaius to eat when he woke up. He was stopped half way, as Gaius gave a yawn and pulled himself up.
"Morning Gaius."
The old man's eyes drifted to the closed door to the other room as he responded. "Morning Merlin." Merlin offered a small smile. "May I ask how your plan is coming on." Merlin was about to answer, when he was stopped by the creaking sound of the door to his room being opened.
Both men turned to fact the door. Watching as a tall, blond haired women, with warm skin and pink check, walked down the steps into the main room. The women was dressed in a pale green and cream dress in a striking print. The only thing about the women that they recognised, was her eyes. They were light green, with a look of otherworldliness, and bitterness to them.
"It is going just as planned."
I know that this chapter was a little slow, not much happened. I just wanted to add Gwen and Arthur, as I don't think I did a lot with them in the last part. Actually their part turned out to be my favourite part of this chapter. I also don't know how well the attempt at humour worked out at the start of the chapter, I wasn't very happy with it. I can promise that the next chapter will have more action in it. The confrontation with the green knight. After that the next arch has a lot of action in it to. So I hope that makes up for the few slow chapters so far.
The poll is still on my profile. So I hope that you vote. Who do you think the dark sorceress is.
I really hope, and would greatly appreciate it if you could review and let me know what you think. Good or bad I would like to know so I can make the story better, fix any problems. I would also be so grateful if anyone could give me ideas for story arches, with characters I don't use much. As after the next arch, there is a space where I can add something in with, the knights or Arthur and Gwen, whatever you would like to read. Thank you.