Thank you for reading.
Gently Mordred reached out and closed Gilli's eyes with his free hand. He had momentarily forgotten about the king sitting just a few feet way. He kept his head lowered, hoping that Arthur would leave soon if he didn't engaged him in any conversation. It hadn't fully accrued to him that Arthur may recognize him form when he had helped him slip out of the city all those years ago. He had been a child then, he hoped he had changed enough to not be noticed, but he didn't want to risk it. Nor with Kara nearby.
"Thank you." Arthur said braking the silence that had fallen over the area at the end of the conflict. He reached out and place a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "I owe you my life."
"You would have been fine-" Mordred tried desperately to deflect.
Arthur was not easily put of however. He kept a reassuring hand on his shoulder, as Mordred finally looked up at him. "Don't diminish what you did. You could have kept running, no one would have blamed you. You had someone important to you to protect. Still you put your life in danger to help a stranger."
"The king." Mordred stated placing Gilli's hands on her chest, his head lowered again.
"Still a stranger."
Arthur watched the young man closely. He was being so gently, caring even with the body of a man that had tried to kill him. He put this down the manner in which the man had died. It was true that he was wounded, but it was not a fatal wound. He choose to plunge the dagger into his chest. What had driven him to do that Arthur could not understand. He could never imagine, hoped he would never have to feel like that, to feel that hopeless. The young man in front of him could understand that better he was sure. That was why he expected he could be so compassionate now.
"I can see that he is buried properly, you should carry on sire."
"I'll help." He moved to stand,
"No, you should carry on. You must have important business to be traveling alone."
Arthur couldn't deny the young man was correct. He still felt uncomfortable leaving him alone here to carry out a burial on his on. Then he remembered he was not alone. Quickly scanning the area he was sure he could, a little way off in the distance see the young women. To scared to move closer and to scared to move away. She wouldn't want to, but she would help her partner with the unpleasant task. He still did not like leaving them, but the day was drawing to a end quicker than he would like and he still had no way of knowing where Morgana was or how to find her. The importance of this task moved him forward. With a reluctant nod he moved to stand. Picking up his sword and sheathing it as he stood. Stopping after a few steps and looking back at the young man again.
"You haven't heard any talk of the lady Morgana."
Mordred felt his heart begin to race. Threatening to burst through his chest. He kept his head mostly lowered only looking up slightly at Arthur. "No sire I haven't."
It was the truth, but he still felt like it was a lie.
"Thank you." Arthur said again.
Mordred looked up at him. Not knowing what to say. Your welcome, seemed such a trivial thing to say. My pleasure, was just wrong. It was an honor, to fawning. In the end all he could do was nod.
Her breath caught in her throat as she and Merlin watched the events miles away playout in the constantly shifting water, the scrying crystal gently rotating above it. She had been able to maintain some composure as they watched Gilli's death unfolded before them. Unable to do anything to stop it. Her heart racing, Morgana turned to face Merlin. Seeing a reflection of her own sadness looking back at her. Merlin only doing a slightly better job of not letting it show than she was.
"He's-" He started but was quickly interrupted.
"I have to see Mordred." She firmly stated.
Letting the crystal fall into the bowl of water, she moved to leave. Merlin stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
"You have to speak to Arthur." He said tying to be as firm as he could without sounding harsh and uncaring.
"I will." She quickly, to his relief agreed. "But I have to talk to Mordred first."
"Morgana-"
"A man just killed himself on his blade. He's a child-"
"No he's a grown man."
"He is a child." Her voice raising as she spoke.
Merlin still standing in her path, lifted his hand in a gesture of peace. Realizing that to Morgana, Mordred would always be a child. The child that she nursed back to heal and willingly risked her life to slip out of Camelot. The child that felt her come to accept her magic and herself. He could not change her mind on seeing him first, no matter what else was happening.
"Be carful. Don't let Arthur see you at first." She gave him a questing look. "He didn't recognized Mordred." Slowly understanding she nodded.
With a sigh Merlin reached out and placed his hands on her shoulders. They rested there for a second, then fell as she disappeared fom sight.
She maybe healed, but he didn't want to risk her exposing herself further Nimueh and not being able to rely on her magic. It was best she didn't waste any magic or energy if she didn't have to.
Mordred remained kneeling by his brothers body. He could hear the sound of Arthur leaving, walking back to his horse and Kara making her way slowly toward him. He didn't look up towards her or move to stand. He kept his eyes set directly in front of him. Taking in a deep breath he closed his eyes as the weight of what had happened came crashing down on him. Before it could crush him a strong pair of arms wrapped around his shoulders from behind. Pulling him into a warm embrace. Lifting his arms to hold on to her arm draped around his neck. Letting out a deep breath he let himself lean further into her stability.
"He was one of us." He said in a low voice.
Kara didn't point out that neither Mordred or herself lived their lives by the ways of the old religion. She just held him tighter and offered a quick kiss, to what was meant to be his check but ending up landing half on his ear and in his hair.
"You didn't have a choice." Feeling him about to argue with her she quickly went on. "You aimed to wound him, nott kill him. He choose to..."She tried to find the right words. "Believed that he didn't want to carry on." She corrected.
"I don't think he was acting on his own free will." He said reluctantly pulling away a little yo get a better look at Kara. "I'm sure I have seen him before, he was with the sorceress that wanted the druids to fight a war with her."
Kara kept her left arm around Mordred's neck. "Then its good he choose to put-"
"Don't." Mordred moved to stand, shrugging off Kara's arm.
"I begged you not get involved."
"I Know."
"Don't snap at me. I wanted to keep going, to get away. You choose to come back, to play the hero. He choose to end his life. I think he didn't want to cause any more harm."
Mordred nodded. Glad she thought the same as he did. "I'm sorry."
It was a small movement, but she saw his hand reach out for her. He fought it though, pulled it back to his side. With a resigned sigh she took a step towards him and took his hand.
Mordred never showed it much, tried to hide it, but he craved psychical contact and acknowledgement. She assumed it was to do with his growing up not knowing his parents. Having to wait, hope that people would pay him any attention. She never let herself think about it, her family. She missed them, but wouldn't let herself show it or talk about it. She want to be acknowledgement too, but at least she knew what it was like to have a family. To have that unconditional love and support. She also knew what it was like to lose it. Mordred was the closest she had to finding that kind of unconditional love. She couldn't lose that. Not again.
"Don't ever do anything that stupid again." Mordred began to smile. "I'm sericeous." She gripped his hand tighter.
He looked her in the eyes, a silent promise.
"Good." She tried to brush her moment of verbality. "I'll go to the village and get something to dig with, maybe some food."
"Thank you."
Reluctantly she let his hand go and moved to head to the village. It didn't seem like anything significant, but he was very touched. He knew how much Kara hated going to villages. For her it was a very selfless gesture, that he was grateful. As she began to walk away he bent to his knees and began to, as gently as he could pull Gilli's body off of the main path, towards the tree line.
In the distance he heard the faint sound of someone walking towards him. Looking up he saw someone he was both happy to see and not at the same time. He didn't know wish would win out as she drew closer.
When she was only a few feet away Morgana lifted her arms, but hesitated at the last second, not bringing them up further. That was all it took, Mordred moved forward too, closing the distance between them. Wrapping his arms around her waist, almost picking her up, as she enfolded hers around his shoulders. The young man now a head taller than she was. He didn't make any sound, but she could feel him shacking. As he held back tears. lifting a hand she stroked the back of his head. Placing a kiss on his forehead, before breaking the silence.
"I'm so sorry. You shouldn't have had to go through that."
Mordred didn't say anything, just let himself be comforted by someone he had always deep down felt safe with. Her anger, rage scared him and he wanted nothing to do with it. Wanted to keep her and Kara apart, because he worried about what their combined anger and distrust would lead to. However he still felt sure that she would never do anything to harm himself and that she still had a good heart. It had just been bruised a little. Who could not say the same of themselves.
Morgana held him tightly till she could put it off no longer. Pulling back a little, she kept her hands on his shoulders. Looking him in the eyes, she told him what had happened what had lead to this. Apologizing again that it was all her fault that he had been dragged into this. He brushed it off, saying it wasn't her fault. Nothing he said was going to change her mind on this however.
"You and Kara have to get as far away from Camelot, in any direction but north as you can."
It was pointless to argue this point with her. He just nodded, not giving a direct promise.
Morgana had been focused on Mordred, but she had also been trying to avoid looking at Gilli's body lying juts a few feet away under the shade of a large tree. Finally she couldn't avoid it anymore. As she walked towards him, she slipped the ring he had given her from her finger. He would not want this. He would want her to have it. It could help her against Nimueh, but she had never felt right having it. She also felt the need to do something now, to make a gesture of some kind. Bending down she carefully slipped the ring onto his finger. Pulling her self up, she held out her hand above him.
The ground under the young man began to gently cave in. Sinking Gilli into the earth. Her hand still held out the earth closed over him. Once the earth was even again green sprouts began to burst from the earth. They grew rapidly. Blossoming into life, blue to purple colored flowers. Beautiful in the early evening light. The vines wrapped around the tree. A fitting marker for the man that would lay forever under the tree.
Mordred stepped forwards as the flowers blossomed. Placing a hand on Morgana's shoulder. It was now his turn to offer some comfort.
Morgana didn't turn to look at him. She kept her eyes on the flowers. Her outstretched hand, rather than lowering, bent to place her hand on top of his.
"Gilli was a good man. Brave and kind."
There was nothing Mordred could think to add, but he felt the need to say something. "A fierce and honorable warrior. A brother."
Slowly lowering her hand Morgana turned to fully face Mordred. "I have to speak with Arthur, you have to get far away."
"Morgana-"
"No, you have to leave now. Think of Kara."
"I am, She don't trust anyone. How can we...How can we have a normal life if we can't settle anywhere, because there is war-"
"You choose to hide what you are, do not act now like you care for the rest of us, that aren't ashamed of who we are."
It was cruel and she knew it. Regretted it the second she said it. She knew though he was going to say something about wanting to help or just get involved and she couldn't have that. She had to make sure he was safe and Kara. Who she had never meet. Knowing Mordred wanted to keep them apart. If what it took for them to be safe, to stay out of Nimueh's clutches, was for them to hate her, then so be it. She was used that. It would hurt but she could live with that. She could not live with Mordred dead or in pain and it being her fault.
Anger and frustration quickly built up in Mordred. But before he said anything in retaliation. He met her eyes. Seeing pain not cruelty. Quickly he understood what she was doing.
"I'm not ashamed of who I am. As long as I continue to do what I believe is right then I don't have reason to be."
Morgana let out a pained laugh. "No you won't." Taking his head in her hands she forced him to look at her. "Don't get pulled into this please. Be safe for her." Her eyes leaving his to glance towards the village where Kara would be returning from soon.
He couldn't argue, didn't want. Having the internal conflict he was going through with someone else was doing nothing to help clarify what he should do. Morgana seemed so distressed. He didn't want to add to that. So he nodded again. Then stepped forward pulling her again into a hug.
"I won't rush into danger." He felt her body relax at this as she hugged him in return. "But place do the same." Morgana pulled back from him looking confused. "You may not feel so, but you have people that care about you. Don't be so quick to throw your life away either."
She couldn't understand why his words shocked her so much. Her hands feel to her side, as he kissed her quickly on her check before running towards the Village and Kara.
Morgana watched him leave a soft smile on her face. He was growing into a fine young man. Maybe there was some hope the future.
Lowering her gaze she said quietly. "Thank you Gilli, I hope you find the peace you couldn't in life. I will make Nimueh pay for this. I promise. Whatever it takes."
As her words drifted away into the air, she appeared to do so as well.
Mordred saw Kara a few feet away, glancing back to Morgana he saw she was gone. Unease crept over him, but was pushed aside as Kara called to him. Turing back to her he resumed running towards her.
Arthur to felt unsay as he made his way along the path that ran along the border of the village. He didn't feel much like talking to people right now. He needed a little time alone to process what had just happened. Try and make sense of it all. It was clear that the dead man had been under some magical control. That he could accept, but why had he been targeting strangers. A innocent young couple. Was it to get his attentions, draw him into a fight. Was there more to it. He felt sure that he had meet the young man somewhere before. With shock and deep embarrassment he realized that he had not asked for his name. He had been so caught up with what else was going on that he forgot to ask the name of the man that had saved his life. For a second he thought about turning back, but pushed it aside. They would be gone by now he felt sure.
As his mind began to drift to where he was going to head now. Where he was going to sleep. He would need to decide on the later sooner rather than later. The sky now took on a purple tint as the sun set further. In the distance a little ahead of him to his right he heard the sound of someone moving through the trees. Much like he had heard Gilli approaching. It couldn't be happening again. Ever with all the strange things he had seen, being attacked in the same way twice in one day was strange.
Pulling on the reins he stopped his horse from carrying on further. His right hand hovered over the hilt of his sword. He waited as he heard the sound growing loader. Eventually after what felt like long minutes of waiting, which in fact were only a few seconds a figure walked out of the tree line and onto the path in front of him. They stopped, turned to face him. Waited for him to move.
Arthur quickly took his hand from his sword and dismounted from his horse. Closing the distance between the figure and himself as he moved swiftly towards them.
When he was only a few feet away they said his name in a confused tone. Not sure what his reaction was going to be to seeing her. Before she could say another word he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pinning her arms, pulling her into a tight hug.
At first Morgana didn't know how to react. She had not expected this reaction. Eventually she let herself return the hug. As the pain and tears that she had been fighting back for so long finally fell.
Arthur held her, let her cry. There was so much he wanted to say, needed to say, but right now wasn't the time.
Neither knew how long they stayed like this.
"I missed you." Morgana said faintly when she felt she could trust her voice to not break.
Arthur fought back a laugh. Pulling back he kissed her forehead. "I missed you too."
In the last twenty four hours Morgana had had more psychical contact then she had had in the last year. She hadn't realized how much she had missed it.
"I'm proud of you." Her voice came out a little shaky.
Arthur did not want to go down a painful road. Not when there was so much they had to talk about. So he simply asked. "What is going on."
Pulling away from him fully Morgana took a deep breath before she for the third time that day explained everything that had gone on. This time she had to keep certain parts to herself. Merlin's involvement and who Mordred was.
Arthur was silent when she finished talking. He knew more, but not enough to make any real plans. Morgana knew him well enough to see how frustrated he was.
"Nimueh is over confident. She will over reach.." She trailed off as Arthur moved back to his horse.
Once he reached his horse he turned back to her and held out his hand. "We can talk about all of that later, now we have to return to Camelot."
"Arthur no-"
"This is not up for discussion Morgana."
"Arthur-"
"No. Morgana no this has gone on long enough. You should be back in Camelot. with us."
"Arthur-"
"We need to be together now, work together."
"Okay."
"It's to...what."
"I said okay."
Arthur visibly relaxed at this. "I thought you would argue more."
"So did I." Slowly she made her way to him. "But I have to speak to the druids first."
"Morgana."
"I have to warn them, make sure they don't get pulled into this." Arthur turned form her. "If they are tricked into fighting on her side, then Camelot will fall." He knew she was right.
"Okay." He said after a while.
"I thought you would argue more."
"So did I."
He turned from her to a rolled up blanket that was attached the his saddle. Unfastening it he turned back to Morgana and held it out to her. She was a little hesitant at first, but took it into her hands. Surprised by its weight she began to suspect what it was. As she unrolled the blanket she found she was right, but was surprised with the specifics of it.
Catching the light of the last of the sun was her father's sword. her breath caught in her throat as she worried she might cry again. She ran her hand alone the engravings on the hilt. It felt perfectly balanced in her hands as it always had done. Dropping the blanket to the ground she pulled the sword from its scabbard. Lifting it up so it caught the light. It shone brightly. Someone had been taking care of it, polishing it at least.
"Merlin has been polishing it when he dose mine." The king clarified.
Morgana nodded, as she kept her gaze on the sword. It gave her strength, just having it in her hands. She had felt stronger than she had in a long time since she woke back in her hovel, after Merlin healed her. With her father's sword in her hands, Mordred safe, she started to feel that maybe they could win.
"I thought you wouldn't agree to come. I wanted you have to have something to keep you safe."
Returning the sword to its scabbard, she looked up at her brother. "Ah, you worried about me."
"You do have a unnatural habit of getting yourself into danger."
"Like you're much better." She watched him do from playfully irritated, to slight embarrassed. "You are now. You have someone special to stay alive form."
He had a whole kingdom to live for, but she knew it was down to Gwen that he was acting more responsible.
To Morgana's relief Arthur didn't offer to come with her to the druids. He understood that she need to do that alone. She also needed to speak to Merlin first. He would have to get back to the city before Arthur. He didn't drag out the goodbye. He daunted his horse and said he would see her later. With only the threat of a warning in his tone. Before he could change his mind he set off, hoping to return to the castle, to Gwen before night truly fell.
Morgana attached the scabbard to her dress as she looked around her. Realizing that she was quit close to the hovel. That was a pleasant surprise. With renewed strength, but still tired form such a long day she started to make her way. back.
As she drew closer, she could see smoke rising into the sky in front of her. Coming, she was sure from the small funnel that acted like a chimney for the hovel. She had expected Merlin would still be there, but it was nice to know for sure. After a while she could see the the door hidden in the earth. It opened when she was a few feet away. She started to tell Merlin what had happened as she closed the distance between them. He seemed relived that she had agreed to return to Camelot. A little less when she told him about seeing the druids first. Not giving him the chance to try and talk her out of it, she asked him how she had know to come to the door when he did.
"I sensed you where near."
Morgana didn't have a chance to ask more as they heard a load thump coming from their left. Turning quickly they saw Arthur walking towards through the trees. An unreadable look on his face.
Thanks for reading. Hope you liked it. I really hope that this chapter wasn't to repetitive . It wasn't till I was writing it that I realized I had to have Morgana explain what she knows a few times. Things are moving forward to the climax of this part of the story. So if it is a little boring now it should get better. Any feedback, comment or input you have is very welcome.