Thank you for reading. As always I hope that you are enjoying the story and will like this new chapter.

Meri Ley. Thank you very much for your comments and input. I agree with you, people do not think clearly when they are panicked. I always thought of Morgana as feeling like she was constantly backed into a corner, her back is always up, ready to defend herself. So she is not always thinking clearly.

The character that I mentioned earlier that I asked someone to name is going to appear in this chapter. Her name will be Eleanor, thank you Lightsbane1905. When I was looking for pictures of costumes, I found one that I could not find a place for, so I thought I would use it for this character. The link to the picture is under black dress in the list on my profile.

The breakfast tray that Merlin had brought with him to Arthur's chambers, remained untouched and uneaten on the main table, while he, the King, Gwen and Gaius stood around the desk. Laid out in-front of them on the desk was a map of Camelot. They studied the area around the Isle of the Blessed. The nearest village was a good mile away. That meant that there would not be any civilians caught in the crossfire if things took a turn for the worst, not that anyone around the table really believed that it would come to that. Gaius had explained all that he knew about the tearing open of the veil. Which he admitted was not much. It was part of the old religion that was only known fully by the high Priestess that lived on the Isle of the Blessed. What he did know was that if the veil was left open then the Dorocha would grow in number and strength.

Arthur listened to what he was told, nodding his head every few seconds, showing that he was taking in what was being told to him. "This does not have to be a large mission. Only one man need go."

"No!" Gwen interrupted. She had recovered much from her encounter with the Dorocha the night before, but she was still clearly slightly on edge. "You can't."

Arthur turn to his right, to face her. "It does not have to end that way." He placed his hands on her shoulder. "I will find a way to repair the veil and return to you."

Merlin and Gaius found themselves starting to feel a little uncomfortable. Their presence may not be needed or wanted anymore. They were to far away from the door to make any kind of subtle exit. They were for all intensive purposes, trapped. Arthur finally noticed them, he looked at them quickly before turning back to Gwen.

"I promise." She nodded, but looked away from him. Hoping that all objections had been dropped, Arthur went on. "Merlin and I will leave now and scout the area. If we can safely close the veil we will, if not we will return and regroup."

No one believed his words. His plan, while want they wanted to hear, they knew made no sense. If all he planned to do was return, then there was no point in going with such a small group. Despite what he said, Arthur planned to deal with his himself, whatever that required. Merlin and Gaius nodded and left. Arthur was about to follow them when Gwen took a tight hold on his arm.

"I know you."

"Gwen-"

"I know you. I know what you are planning. You lied to me." As she spoke her eyes began to water. "I understand why, I just….promise me."

"I have to do what is best for Camelot." He lifted his free hand to wipe the tears that had started to fall down her face.

She turned her head into his hand, trying to take some reassurance form his comforting gesture. "Losing you is not what is best from Camelot…or me." A feeling of defeat came over her as she spoke, her hold on his arm slipped away.

"I promise you I will do whatever it takes to fix the veil and return to you."

He placed both of his hands on either side of her face, forcing her to look him in the eyes. So that she would know that he meant what he said. He did mean it. This was the kind of difficult choice that he knew he would have to face when he choose to be with Gwen. When he choose to try and have a life of his own outside of being King. He knew what he had to do, what was expected of him and he was going to do that. He was also going to make sure that he came home, come home to her.

There was nothing that Gwen could say. He had made up his mind and there was no changing it. It was something that she loved and hated about him, his stubbornness. At times like this when he was doing what he believed in, it was hard to tell if it made her love him or hate him. It was about half and half, which made it harder.

"Let me see you smile before I leave." She pouted a little at his odd request. Arthur smiled a little at her shocked expression. "Do you remember when I asked you to marry me."

She couldn't help the instant reaction that that memory produced in her. Her lips curled in to a deep genuine smile, and the tears in her eyes almost vanished from sight as they brightened with the thought in her mind. Arthur stroked the side of her face. "That is the sight I want to take with me." They smiled as they leaned in to kiss each other. Then he left. There was no point in dragging their goodbye out any longer than they had too. After all he had promised that he would come back.

Not hearing the King follow behind them, Gaius took the chance to take hold of Merlin's arm to pull him to a stop. "Be careful. " He warned.

If Arthur knew what may be needed to close the veil than it was clear that Merlin did too. It was also painfully clear to Gaius that Merlin would do whatever it took to close the veil and protect Arthur. While he most of the time admired the determined strike in the young warlock, at times he thought it would be the death of him. If he had not already had a head full of grey hair when Merlin arrived on his doorstep then he was sure it would have been turned fully grey in the intervening years.

"Of course." Merlin tried to sound as calm as he could, but a nervous energy crept in. It always got like that when he tried to lie to Gaius. No matter how good he became at lying to people in general, he could never lie completely to Gaius.

"I'm serious Merlin. I know you, I know what you are thinking." Merlin didn't have anything to say to that. He never really did when faced with a harsh truth, words were not his strong suite. "There will be another way. You just have to find it."

"I will." There was no trace of nervousness to his voice, he meant what he said. Gaius sighed and patted Merlin on the shoulder.

The sound of footsteps grew louder as Arthur caught up to them. "Come on Merlin. We don't have all day."

He walked between then as he passed them. Given the seriousness and the stress of the current situation they let his rudeness slide. Not without comment though. "And you thought I would sacrifice my life for him." A scoff ended Merlin's whispered sentence. With a shrug he walked on to follow Arthur.

They saddled the horses and made their way out of the city in silence. There was not really very much to say. Though neither said it, they both knew that they were most likely heading into a suicide mission. What Arthur did not know was that Merlin was the one planning on making the sacrifice. They both also hoped that they would be able to find another way that they could convince Morgana to stop whatever it was she was planning. That was if it was her. Neither wanted to believe that it was. Merlin had more faith then Arthur. He knew of a women calming to be a high priestess. She had sent the lamia after them years ago, had tried to have Morgana killed. The Warlock didn't who he wanted to meet at the isle of the blessed. Which would be easier to deal with.

"We're getting close to the nearest village to the Isle." Merlin offered after a good few hours of silence.

Arthur nodded. "We should stop there and see if they have any information about what is going on."

Merlin wasn't fully sure that Arthur really thought this was a good idea. He felt that it was him doing what he was expected to do. He had clearly made his mind up about what he was going to do. Luckily for him Merlin had too. Neither was in any hurry to get to the Isle of the Blessed, but there was a nagging feeling in the back of their minds that told them they had to get there soon.

The village began to appear in the distance. It was not a large village, but there should be some noise coming from there. Even form the distance they where from the village, they should have been able to hear something. As they got closer they realised that they could not see anyone walking around either. It was close to midday, there should be people moving around. Merlin and Arthur looked at each other, seeing if the other had any ideas about what was going on. Neither did.

With a slight shrug Arthur lead them onto the direct path to the village. The nearer they got the more they realised the village was in-fact empty. Something was defiantly going on. They had not expected the Dorocha to have done this much damage so soon, but it was the only explosion. Upon reaching the village Arthur dismounted from his horse, Merlin did the same and followed Arthur as he slowly made his way into the Village. While he didn't unsheathe his sword, he held his right hand over the hilt.

All the streets they slowly made their way through were empty. They were about three streets away from what appeared to be the main square, when Arthur out of the corner of his eyes saw someone walking alone the parallel street. They seemed to be rushing a little, but not running. He turned to his right to try and cut the person off at the next street. Merlin followed closely behind, he had a very bad feeling. Something was going on here, something he was sure they were not going to like.

Turing the corner, his hand still hovering over the hilt of his sword, Arthur stepped out into the path of the only person they had seen in the village. They stopped in the tracks, their path blocked. Their hand went up to where their heart was most likely beating at a rapid rate. The person was a middle-aged man with greying hair.

"Who are-"

"I am King Arthur of Camelot. What is going on here."

The man was to shocked to begin to think why the King was here, so he answered right away. "A witch cast some kind of enchantment the other day, two men are dead." Both younger men winched at this piece of news. "We caught her this morning." They did not know how they should feel about this. "She is about to be hung, in that clearing." He pointed behind them. Seeing the King's face turn white he felt the need to add more. "It is as the law states your majesty."

"Morgana." He said in a voice just above a whisper.

Before either Merlin or the man could say anything Arthur took off in the direction the man had pointed to. Merlin as he had done before followed him, leaving the shocked man in the deserted village. As they ran forward a number of different thought raced through their heads. They didn't know how to feel or what they should do. The only thing that seemed to be clear was that they had to get to where she was and soon. They had to save her. What happened after that they didn't know. They would have to deal with that later.

A large crowd had gathered in the clearing. The village must be short on entertainment. The crowd gather around a sturdy looking tree. Hanging down from a large branch was a rope tied into a noose. The very top of someone's head peaked out above the rest of the crowed near the noose. It was hard to make them out clearly, the sun was blocked by clouds and the trees surrounding them.

Now the witch was in sight of all the crowd a cheer began to grow. It was hard to tell but it seemed to Arthur and Merlin that she was trying to say something. Her back was to them, they could not see her face as she was made to stand on what they expected was a stool or a chair of some kind. Her long hair was pushed forward by a man that moved to stand on whatever was elevating her up. Her hands were tied behind her back, so she could not fight or try and get away as the noose was placed around her neck.

"Stop!"

All heads turned to see who made such a loud objection the hanging of a witch, including the witch herself. Who could only turn her head.

"I demand this stops now." As Arthur walked closer, he could see the recognition on the people's faces as they saw who he was. No such look crossed his or Merlin's face as they looked to the poor girl with a noose around her neck. It was not Morgana.

"My Lord." The man that placed the noose around her neck, clearly a man of some standing in the village moved forward to meet the King. "This witch had unleashed demons, killing two men. By the laws of the land we are taking hers to protect others and this kingdom from such harm again."

Arthur nodded. "I thank you for your lawfulness." It was clear to Merlin that Arthur was very unsure as to what he was going to do next. The goal they had been set on was no longer relevant. He know had to quickly decide what his next move would be. Luckily he was given a little time to think.

"I didn't do it! I am no witch. Sire please!" She yelled even thought there was no longer anything for her to shot over.

The girl looked petrified. All colour had drained from her face, making her sandy brown hair look darker by contrast. Her eyes were wide and panicked, before they had been searching around her for someone to listen to her, now that she had found someone, her eyes locked onto them. They were grey and looked all the duller compared to Arthur's blue ones that she kept looking into. She silently begged him to believe her.

Then man by Arthur's side had heard all of this before. "How dare you lie to our King."

"I'm not lying. Sire please."

Arthur finally pulled himself out of her fixed gaze. "Why do you know it is her. Did anyone see her unleashing the demons." No one answered. "I will take that as a no. So there is no hard evidence."

"All the problems started when she came here." A shrill voice called out from the crowd.

Arthur turned to Merlin, tilting his head towards the girl. Merlin nodded in reply. Walking into the centre of the crowd he stood on what they now saw was a stool that the girl was standing on. As quickly as he could he removed the noose from her neck. A nauseous feeling grew in the pit of his stomach. How many other hangings or other killings had there been over the years. She turned to look at her other saviour, her eyes locking on him now. With an arm wrapped around her back he helped her onto the ground. She was shacking, but he felt her relax and let out a sigh as they touched the ground.

"I didn't do anything." She muttered under her breath.

Though he was a few feet from her, Arthur heard her as he was trying to hear what she would say. "What happened." He asked her gently.

"I grow up in a villages further south. I only had my mother…..she died a year ago. We made our money baking, but I was never any good…I had to leave….I have been traveling ever since….I came here and….."

"And a week later we are attacked and men killed." A harsh and angry voice yelled.

Pulling herself out of the steadying hold on Merlin's arm around her shoulder she moved forward to Arthur. When she reached him she feel to her knees. "I did not do anything. I am no witch."

There was a fierceness in her voice and her eyes that had once again locked onto his. He believed her. She was scared for her life, but she was more angry then anything. Angry that she might be killed for something that she did not do, something she did not have any control over. He had seen this kind of anger before. Bending down next to her he untied her hands.

"What happened once you came here." He asked her to carry on her version of what had happened.

The fierceness in her eyes softened as she looked at him. "I arrived just over a week ago, I got a job helping the baker….on my way here I had to pass the Isle." Fear now crept back into her voice. "I saw an old man with a boat on the bank, he looked so old, so…..." Not finding the right word she went on. "Yesterday I brought him some bread. I felt….I didn't like to think of him there, alone, probably hunger. When I got there he was gone. I waited, when he came back he told me to leave. He warned me that I should not go out that night…but that it would be safe after."

"Did you warn anyone else of this." He could now see how things had so quickly turned against her. Being the messenger of such news would most likely put her as the most likely culprit.

She lowered her head. "No."

"How could she." Merlin spoke out without thinking. Many pairs of eyes now turned to him. "I doubt she would be believed."

"I was scared. I was new…" She tried to explain herself.

Arthur silently took her arm and helped her to her feet. "I believe that this girl is no witch." No one said anything to disagree with him. "If she was, then she could have saved herself. Yet she did not."

At this simple fact he turned and walked away. Walking back to the village were the horses where tied up. The crowd of villagers remained. Not knowing now what to do with their anger and grief. As Merlin walked a little behind him he tried to take in what they had just learned. If the ferryman had been so sure that the Dorocha would only appear for one night, then the veil must have been repaired. That meant that he had been given a reprieve from the sacrifice he was planning on making. He felt relief at this, but there was still too many unknowns. Once they had reached and mounted their horses again did he dare ask Arthur what he was planning now.

"We are going to make sure that the veil is closed." Was his simple answer. "I have no desire to set foot on the Isle if I don't have to. We will camp out tonight on the banks." Merlin nodded, not that he was being asked his option.

After traveling for almost half an hour Arthur began to get the feeling that they were being followed. He turned to Merlin to voice his suspicion. The look on his face showed that he too had the same suspicion. Not in the mood for any more surprises, Arthur called out to who or whatever it was that was fallowing then to show themselves. Without a moment's hesitation they did as they were ordered.

"I'm sorry." The girl bowed her head. "I have nowhere else to go. Sire, they will kill me if I stay."

Words of reassurance were about to leave his month, but Arthur knew that they would not be taken to heart. There was in fact a real chance that in their anger, they may kill her. It was a small chance, but a chance never the less.

"I own you so much already, I only ask that you allow me to travel with you to another village on your way."

"We are not returning to Camelot-"

"Forgive me sire, but I do not care." She let out a deep breath at having spoken in such a way to the King. Merlin let out a faint laugh.

"I would not laugh if I were you Merlin." Arthur warned. "She has been through a lot today." He looked to his friend, the beginning of a grin on his face. "You can't expect her to walk while you ride a horse." This soft laugh followed him as he moved on.

With a sigh Merlin dismounted his horse. "I'm sorry." Her confidence seemed to have left her now that she had secured herself an escort.

"Don't worry about it…"

"Eleanor." She finished for him.

"Merlin." He offered his hand which she shock, then helped her mount the horse.

It did not take them long to reach the shore of the lake where the Isle of the Blessed stood. It was clear that none of them wanted to be here. Arthur seemed the most effected, most likely because there was a chance that he might be in very close proximity to Morgana. It had been such a long time since he had seen her. There last contact had been tense, but he believed they had parted on good terms. That was until he found out that her druid camp had been attacked after he left it. He had gone back to see what he could do, but he had not seen her.

The night drew in and he took up a position next to the camp fire, looking across the lake to the Isle, leaning his back against a fallen log. A few feet away, out of his sight Merlin and Eleanor slept next to their own fire. In a few hours he would wake Merlin and he could keep watch till sunrise. The hours dragged on, nothing happened, nothing changed. His eyes grew heavy and before he could stop himself he found himself falling into a deep sleep.

The sound of someone clearing their throat next to him finally woke him after a hours sleep. As quickly as he could he opened his eyes and moved to sit up. Looking to his right he was greeted with the sight of a figure dressed in black.

"Hello Arthur." They said as they pulled down their hood. "It has been such a long time dear Brother." The faintest smile could be seen in the faint light.

"Morgana."

His hand slowly moved on reflex to hover near his sword. Morgana's sharp eyes did not miss this. With a simple lift of her head, the sword was pulled from its holster and thrown away. "Is that any way to greet your Sister."

"What have you done."

"So quick to judge." A smile crossed her face again. It was hard for him to make it out clearly in the faint light, but he was sure it was. "I should be asking you what you're doing here."

There was something odd about her. Apart from the move of her head to disarm him, she had been perfectly still. Looking at her now more clearly, she seemed thinner than before. Her eyes were sunken into her face. Though it was dark, he could also tell that she was paler then he remembered. Her voice could almost be the same, if it wasn't for an added harshness, that even at her worst he had never heard from her. Catching him looking towards were Merlin and Eleanor slept, she fully smiled.

"I placed them under a spelling enchantment. They will wake in a few hours. Now why are you here."

"To find out what you are planning."

"Nothing." Her low laugh filled the air as she realised how stupid that sounded. "I don't expect you to believe me."

"I want to, but you have to tell me more."

"You should be in Camelot, your highness."

"Morgana." As he spoke he pulled himself to his feet.

"I am not the only one that has a grudge against Camelot, some have larger and older ones." Seeing that he had no idea who she was referring to so she went on. "Your Father has made a lot of enemies. One form long ago that used to be a friend is still alive and wants to burn Camelot to the ground. Nimueh She was the one that sent the Lamia after you, worked with Agravaine to have me killed…."

"That was years ago."

"She is old, she has been building her strength." Arthur was not standing right in-front of her, but she did not move to stand. "You should not underestimate her, she is the one that opened the veil." It still amazed her how much she could get away with when lying about magic. "I closed it."

His eyes opened. "How."

"A Friend that wanted to finally be at peace."

Taking advantage of her lowered head, Arthur bent down and took hold of her arms, pulling her to her feet. "What are you not telling me, were have you been all this time…."

"Now you care." She spat at him.

She didn't have the strength to pull herself free from his hold. There was no point in trying to fight it, not if she wanted to have the strength that she needed to get out of here.

"Morgana." His voice softened as he got his first close look at her. She looked so weak, so fragile.

As he did before she took advantage of his moment of weakness and pulled herself free. "I need nothing from you. Do what you want, I only thought it fair to warn you because she wishes me died as well, and I do not take any pleasure in having to kill my own kind."

Arthur took in what she told him, but he had more pressing questions. "Where you there, did I really see you."

She nodded "Yes, I was there."

"Then why, why have you been gone so long."

Many words came to mind, she could lie, tell him the truth, a version of it. Reaching out slowly as she decided what to say, she took hold of his hand. "My place was never in Camelot."

Before he could say anything, the wind began to build up around them and in the blink of an eye she was gone. Leaving him standing alone with a empty hand and with almost as many questions as he had had before.

Thank you very much for reading. I hope that you like it. As I say all the time I would love to hear what you think, all feedback is very welcome.