Thank you for reading. Hope you like it.

Arthur made his way quickly towards them. No one said anything. None knew what to say. Merlin and Morgana didn't want to say anything that would make the situation any worse. They didn't know what Arthur had heard, what he thought was going on. It was safest to stay silent, let him speak first. This risked of course increasing his clearly visible anger, but it was still the safest option. Better have him be very angry about something they could easily explain than to say to much and be unable to backtrack.

"You followed me." Morgana finally found her voice. Deciding that it was best to take a offensive position before Arthur did.

"I don't think that is really relevant."

Arthur's voice was low and even. That was more freighting than if he had raised his voice. If Arthur was truly angry, he held in it. Didn't snap back right away. That would come later. First he would stew in his anger for a while first. So that there would be no reasoning with him. He would get over it, move forward shockingly quickly after this. He didn't hold onto things like that for very long. Much to the relief of those close to him. Morgana especially was grateful for this.

"Arthur-" Merlin began but was cut off.

"I don't think I asked you a question." The king set is eyes on Merlin as he reached them.

"Arthur." Morgana tried to pacify the situation. "I don't know what you think is happening, but you must calm yourself."

The young king turned his harsh gaze on his sister. "It may be expected for you to go behind my back, but it is not for my closest friend to do so." His voice steadily rose as he went on.

It was also clear that he had not expected to say what he had. Under different circumstances Merlin would have been touched to have the person he had spent most of his time with over the last few years. The man that had become, as much as hated to admit it, his life had revolved around for years. Saying, admitting that he thought of him, not just as his friend but his closest friend. There was clearly something going on with Arthur. While it was understandable that he was angry to find him here, talking with Morgana. Arthur had been betrayed before, of course the idea that someone he had given a second, third chance to was once again withholding something from him that he should know.

Morgana felt that she had had the wind knocked out of her. She didn't know what to say.

Merlin tried to speak again. "I haven't gone behind your back. I was looking for you. You took off, to no one knew where." His voice now beginning to get higher.

It still surprised the young warlock how easily he could lie to deflect attention form himself or explain away some strange thing he had done. It was a skill he had been forced to learn to do well, but it was not one he was proud of.

"Don't" The slightly shorter, but broader man warned.

Merlin, who's whole body had puffed up a little as he defended himself, deflated now.

Growing worried about the way things were going Morgana again tried to calm things. Stepping between them she lifted her arms in a pacifying gesture. She turned form one to the other, trying to understand how things had taken such a dramatic turn so quickly. Neither man was none for have a very quick or bad temper. Her gaze eventually settled on Arthur.

"I'm sorry you feel that we have gone behind your back-"

"Don't." He warned again. "Do you have magic." He asked in a accusing tone.

Merlin felt the blood rain form his face, all he could do was shack his head ever so slightly.

"Arthur." She said gently moving to stand directly in front of him. "Don't be ridiculous." She added.

Merlin couldn't understand what had just happened. Why Arthur had jumped that, correct idea. He also didn't understand why Morgana of all people was defending him, lying for him. True there were more important things going in right now. But he had been sure that if Arthur ever found out before he could tell him himself then she would enjoy watching him getting what he was sure she felt he deserved. Yet here she was, the one person who should enjoy him being exposed speaking up in his defense

"Not now."

He heard in his head. Just before Morgana started speak again.

"I can't begin to understand the pressure your under. To have to face a threat not of your making, to not know who you can trust fully. To have to put what you want, what you need to the side to deal with things that aren't your fault." As she spoke Morgana placed her hands on his shoulders, making sure he was looking right at her as she spoke.

It took Merlin a moment to understand what Morgana was trying to do. Artur wanted to trust them, to believe that they were not keeping something from him. It should therefore be easy for the high priestess to persuaded him of this. He could tell from looking at her back how tense she was. She didn't like manipulating Arthur like this anymore than he liked lying to him.

"I promise you." Morgana carried on. "That we are on your side, on Camelot's side. Everything we do is to help you."

Arthur seemed to calm a little. Comforted by his sisters words.

Merlin was about say something in agreement with Morgana but thought it better to remain quite

They were all silent for a while, but then Something dark passed over Arthur's eyes. Harshly he lifted his Arms and removed her hands from his shoulders.

"What do you know of pressure. My life is not my own-"

"Mine has never been either." Morgana couldn't help but snap back. "At least you are not cast as the village, the monster."

Merlin couldn't help but feel glad she had said it so he didn't risk saying it himself.

Arthur ignored her outburst and carried on. "It also seems that there is no one that I can truly rely on, trust." Seeing Merlin about to finally step forward and say something, Arthur didn't give him the chance. "I trusted you." He said looking passed Morgana directly at Merlin. "Do not follow me." Looking back at Morgana he added "Either of you."

With that the king turned and quickly moved away. Neither Merlin or Morgana knew what to do, what to say. Nothing about what had just happened made any sense. When Arthur just about reached his horse, without having turned back, not even a quick glance, Merlin panicked and moved forward. As he passed her, Morgana took hold on his arm, pulling him back. When he didn't try and move any further forward she let his arm go and place her hand instead on his shoulder.

Kara sat on the small bed, that just about fit in the tiny guest room attached to the villages inn. Mordred unpacked his blanket, spreading it out on the floor by the bed. Leaving only a few small meters of space on the floor. Normally if they had to stay in an inn they would take separate rooms. Kara didn't really see the point in this, seeing it as a waste of money. what little they had could be spent on more important things, like food. It was another reason that she didn't like stopping in villages. Mordred insisted though. He seemed so set on how people they didn't know, would never see again thought of them. Thought of her.

If he carried so much about her reputation as a virtuous young lady then there was a very simple way to settle that. But he never asked her. She never really expected him to. With the druids it hadn't mattered. People lived together however they felt inclined, however they wished. If part of that was to make a formal union in front of their community then that was celebrated, but if not no one cared. Question it in anyway. She had expected his not asking her was due to having grown up in that community. The more time they spent together, just the two of them the more she didn't understand it. Mordred clearly wanted to fit in to the society that excluded him. That he had gown up on the periphery of. Wanted to present them as conforming to the norms of that society. So why didn't he ask her.

A reassuring hand covered hers. Lost in her thoughts, staring out the small window high on the wall she hadn't noticed Mordred moving to sit by the bed. Looking up at her asking a question with his eyes. Not that question though.

"I'm fine."

He smiled, but it was clear he didn't believe her. He didn't push her any further. He didn't want to fight with her. Not after all that had happened. Twisting his hand he took hold of hers. Holding it tightly.

"Kara." He said in an almost musical way after a few minutes of silent hand holding and stargazing form the tiny window.

She turned to look at him again, He looked nervous. What could be have to be nervous about. Unless he was going to ask her that question.

"I love you."

It wasn't the four words that made up that question. It was however the three words that they knew without having to say them. Finally now he had spoke them. Said them out loud. Given life to them. Kara didn't think it would affect her as much as it was. Her heart was racing and she could feel her checks turning pink. She had always expected she would be more blasé about it all. That she would brush it off if he ever said those three words. Maybe make a flippant comeback. But instead she felt her heart race and a wide grin spread across her face as a laugh escaped.

"I love you too." She said her face still pulled into a warm smile that she tried to stop from spreading further.

Mordred if it was possible smiled wider than Kara. Letting her hand go he quickly half stood up. Placing his hands gently on either side of her face he pulled her towards him into a gentle kiss. As he pulled his head back a little she swiftly closed the distance between them again. Capturing his lips in another deeper kiss.

When they parted again, his hand slid to rest on her shoulders. As he stood up to his full height she moved to kneel on the bed. Smiling at each other again they took a moment to enjoy this exceptional event that had just taken place between them.

"Marry me." Mordred said in a sudden burst of emotion.

"Yes." Kara quickly replied with just as much joy and excitement as Mordred.

Only two words. He asked the question in just two words. Half of them. Just to get it out into the world sooner.

In an instant he had wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into a tight hug. Pulling her closer she slide of the bed. He half spun her round, but could only do so much. placing Kara back on the floor covered by his blanket he kissed her again. When they parted her held her in his arms and rushed out a stream of words, unable to hold back his excitement.

"We'll go to Camelot, I can get...maybe I could...then we'll get married-"

"Camelot." Kara asked hoping she was wrong. That she misheard.

"Yes-" He would have said more, but Kara suddenly pulled herself from his arms.

"I'm not going to Camelot."

"Kara we can have a life there."

"We can do that anywhere."

Mordred shock his head. "Not in the same way."

"I don't care about that way." Feeling more generous now, Kara took his hands in hers. "I never have. I just want to be with you. Just as you are. We can go anywhere we want."

"Except Camelot." He was starting to sound better. "I go wherever you want, I'm asking for you to do the same for me. Just once."

Kara shock her head as she clenched her jaw. "Forever, your choice forever."

Mordred let out a sigh as he sank onto the bed. "I want to build a life with you. Put down roots."

Sitting down next to him Kara reached over and took his hand, while keeping her face forward. Staring at the door. "I want a life with you too."

"Just not in Camelot. where I can make something of myself."

Slowly she turned to face Mordred. Placing a kiss to his check. "I don't need you to be anything but you." She said in a low voice.

Letting his hand go, Kara laid down on the bed behind Mordred. Turning her back on him she set her eyes on the tiny window. After a few minutes she felt the bed sink behind her. Mordred lay next to her now. On his back looking up at the celling. His right arm at his side, as his left laying on his chest. Feeling his heartbreak in his chest. A cool hand slipped into his. She didn't turn to face him as she reached her hand behind her to take his. She wanted to feel a connection to him.

She didn't want to think about it, pushed the thoughts from her mind. But it nagged and nagged, that this could be the last time she would fall asleep feeling safe knowing her was next to her. His hand holding tightly onto hers let her know he was thinking the same thing. Knowing they were thinking the same thing, on the same page normally gave her comfort and a feeling of security. Now it scared her.

A cold wind began to pick up as Merlin and Morgana watched Arthur leave.

Morgana gave Merlin's shoulder a gentle squeeze. Knowing how much Arthur's outburst, mistrust had hurt him. They didn't have the easiest of relationships, but she felt sorry for him now. He had done so much for Arthur. Gave up so much. So much of who he was. All to protect Arthur so he could be the king they needed him to be. She could imagine how much it must hurt to put that much trust, faith in someone and to then feel let down by them. A part of her expected she would enjoy this moment. While she couldn't say that she didn't feel a little vindicated about it, she did not take any joy in it.

Merlin couldn't quite believe what had happened. There had been so many times in the past were he felt sure Arthur would suspect his magic. He never did. He had grown to believe that Arthur was to fixed on his view of him as a hapless fool that he could use magic almost right in front of him and he would still not find out. He lived in fear of being discovered. But now he realized that he had become complacent. Believing deep down that he would be the one to tell Arthur about his magic. In his one time, when it felt right.

As he processed what had happened he became aware of Morgana's hand on his shoulder. He also didn't believe that she of all people would be the one to comfort him in this situation. Both siblings surprised him. One was a pleasant surprise, that did not make up for the other. Slowly he turned to face her.

"That wasn't Arthur."

Confusion and a little worry that he may have lost his mind spread across her face. "What."

He tried to speak in an even tone to quell her worry. "It is Arthur, but that...He doesn't, he wouldn't react like that.

Morgana did see his point, giving a slight nod. "Maybe, but what dose it change."

The sun was only just hanging in the sky and the wind was beginning to pick up. With a small shrug Morgana turned and walked back to the hovel. It had been a long day. She was hungry, tired and her back, while fully healed still twinged with pain. That was what happened when you didn't focus on healing spells and cast a wide net. The nerves still knew they should be in pain and let you know. Less so than if it hadn't be healed of course, but it still hurt.

She didn't wait for Merlin to follow. Not sure if he would. She didn't think it would be a good idea for him to go after Arthur, but if that was what he choose to do then she wouldn't stop him. He probably knew better than she did how to deal with Arthur now. If he thought confronting him now was the better way to deal with the situation then it probably was. If not she wouldn't blame him for avoiding a confrontation when there was so much else going on.

When she entered the hovel she was hit with the warmth from the burning fire and the smell of a bot of stew being kept warm over it. Warmth quickly spread from with her as she moved towards the fire. Picking up a bowl form the table she quickly filled it. She hadn't known how hungry she was until food was placed in front of her. The spoon was just about at her mouth when the door opened behind her.

Turning round she saw Merlin standing in the doorframe looking very small and defeated. Only slightly reluctantly she walked over to him and forced the bowl into his hand. Without waiting for a response she turned back to the pot of warm stew a new bowl in her hand. Which she quickly filled. Moving to sit on one of the only two chairs in the place. Deliberately not looking at Merlin as she did.

A few minuets later when she was already half finished with her bowl she heard him pull out the only other chair and sit down across from her. Silently he began to eat. When she was finished with her meal, which she eat with great speed she finally lifted her eyes to met his.

"He'll come around."

Merlin simply nodded. Hoping she was right.

Once they had both eaten, Morgana having seconds the sun had set in the sky. Arthur they were sure must be back in Camelot by now. Morgana brought out the extra blanket for Merlin who made a bed for himself on the ground next to the dying fire. Just like Lancelot had done not very long ago.

Surprisingly Morgana was the first to fall to sleep. The events of the day had left her deeply tired and she feel into a deep dreamless sleep.

Merlin unfortunately did not find sleep so easily. his mind raced with everything that had happen, everything they had learned. What he, they should do next was not clear. After a few hours of staring at the ceiling he drifted into a light sleep, but only for a few hours. Waking in the early hours of the morning.

When Morgana woke the sun was pouring in through the two small windows. Pulling herself up she looked to the spot on the floor where Merlin slept, but he wasn't there. Scanning the room she saw him sitting by her makeshift book case a book resting on his lap. Hearing her wake he looked up from the book. He seemed less troubled than he had the day before.

"It's the lamia." He say confidently.

"What." Morgana asked as she slid her legs over the side of the bed.

Merlin closed the book and stood up. "Why Arthur wasn't acting like himself."

"You said he wasn't attacked by her and it was years ago." She asked as she slid her boots on.

"Nimueh wants to toy with us. She would wait to use her influence over the knights until it would hurt the most."

Morgana nodded. "But this is Arthur, not the knights."

"I wasn't with him all the time, its possible." He aske.

Again Morgana nodded. "Maybe not the same, but I suppose maybe."

Merlin smiled a little. "Okay."

"Why do you seem happy. Yes that explains Arthurs anger and paranoia. But it doesn't really help us. It just means that Nimueh's getting closer to making her move and we are still no closer to knowing what she is planning."

"But we can do something, well you can."

Morgana smoothing out her dress stood up. "And what is that."

"Break the control the Lima has over them, take control of it."

"Merlin-" She started but was swiftly cut of.

"Lancelot is meant to be retuning any day now. We can find him, break the-"

"Merlin, There's no guarantee."

"There never is, we still have to try."

She understood know. He needed to do something, anything. Didn't want to return to Camelot right now. Scared what would happen if he did. This was the next best thing. It was a risk. It would draw Nimueh's attention if she wasn't careful. Then they would lose any advantage it may gain them. They were running out of time to make any move before Nimueh made hers. If they were going to act then it had to be know. What did they have to lose.

Morgana nodded and Merlin gave her a brief smile before he started to pack what they would need for the trip.

The morning sun poured in through the tiny window. Mordred opened his eyes to see the square of light fitting the opposite wall. He kept his eyes on it, not wanting to turned his head to the right and see that the bed was empty apart from him or look to his left and see that his was the only pack the remained.

Hope you liked it. I don't know if I'm happy with how it turned out.

I will do my best to update once a week as before, but as there is a lot going on the chapters will most likely be longer so it will take longer to write. I would also like to ask once again for any advice or examples of well written action, fight scenes. I have all the major plot points worked out, but the more specific stuff, I'm not sure of. I have never really felt great about the fight scenes I've written and want to do a good job for the large action set pieces of the story.

Any and all feedback comments or idea are very much encouraged.