"Merlin?" Amara asked as she saw the boy walk out of the castle looking confused.
"Princess Amara," he greeted, his eyes scanning the square.
"Are you ok?" she asked.
"Yeah, yeah," he said quickly rubbing his head. "Did you hear someone yelling?"
"No," Amara answered. "Are you feeling ok? Should I fetch Gaius?" she asked in concern.
"I'm fine," Merlin assured as he began searching the square again before his eyes landed on something.
Before Amara could turn to look, a knight called out, "Princess, allow me to escort you back inside."
"Is everything alright?" she asked turning to see the square being swarmed with guards.
"Yes, everything is perfectly fine. The guards are searching for a boy."
"A boy?" Amara laughed. "You want me to run inside because there is a boy hiding?"
"We believe him to be a sorcerer," the knight tried to reason.
"If he's just a boy he cannot be that big a threat," Amara tried to dismiss.
"Please, your highness."
Amara sighed and nodded, she knew the knight would get in trouble with her father if he allowed her to remain outside when they were searching for a sorcerer. "Bye Merlin," she grumbled as she turned and walked back into the castle, and headed to her chambers.
"Did the guards find the sorcerer?" Amara asked Arthur later in the day as they had lunch, he'd been silent the whole time she'd been in his room.
"Where is my useless servant?" Arthur growled as he looked around before topping up his goblet of water himself.
"Arthur? Are you alright?"
Arthur ran his hand down his face, "I don't know what to do."
"Does this have to do with the boy the guards were searching for?" she asked and he nodded.
"It was a father and son," he explained. "Druids. That's what's got father so angry. They only came to Camelot to collect supplies."
"Druids are peaceful, I don't see the problem?" Amara asked.
"The guards captured the father, he's to be executed."
"Why?" Amara gasped.
"Because our father is paranoid about their devotion to magic, he believes they are conspiring against him," Arthur sighed.
"But they just came to collect supplies? Why is it necessary to execute him," she asked before her eyes widened. "That's why you asked me to have lunch with you. You have to tell me to attend the execution."
"Amara…"
"No. I won't go," she said shaking her head. "I understand orders and orders and they must be followed, but I don't understand why I need to attend the execution."
"You don't have a choice Amara, I don't like it any more than you do. We have to go. I'm sorry," he apologized while Amara scowled.
"When is it?" she asked before looking at his face. "It's soon isn't it?"
"Right after lunch," he nodded.
"Arthur!" Amara snapped.
"What do you want me to do Amara?" Arthur asked incredulously. "I tried to talk father out of it, he wants to send a message."
"Doesn't make it right."
"I know," he said rubbing his face. "I know. The guards haven't found the boy, I have to help try and find him."
"So father can execute him?"
"If he orders that then yes. I have to do my duty, and so do you. I don't like it either, but we need to stand by our father, I'm sorry."
Amara sighed and nodded, her duty was to the king of Camelot, she couldn't let her father down. "Now?" she asked and Arthur nodded. She slowly stood up from the table, Arthur gave her a small smile and held out his arm for her to take as he led her towards the balcony where their father was waiting.
"Amara," Uther smiled when he saw her and Amara gave him a weak smile back. "Not you too?" he sighed. "It must be done, if we allow them to take liberties in Camelot then they'll begin conspiring to return magic to the land. I can't allow that to happen."
"Of course," Amara replied quietly.
"Come," he said and she and Arthur followed him out onto the balcony. "People of Camelot," he greeted the crowd. "The man before you is guilty of using enchantments and magic. Under our law, the sentence for this crime is death. We are still searching for his accomplice."
"A little boy," Amara breathed.
"Shh," Arthur hushed, elbowing her subtly.
"Anyone found harboring the boy is guilty of conspiracy and will be executed as a traitor. Let this serve as a warning to your people," Uther said as he leaned on the balcony rail.
"You have let your fear of magic turn to hate," the druid scolded. "I pity you."
Uther then raised his hand in the air in preparation. "Come on," Arthur whispered as he reached out for Amara's arm and pulled her back a few steps so that when Uther's hand finally fell, she didn't have to watch.
Later that night Amara and Morgana were dining with the king. Both girls were completely silent. Amara picked at her food grouchily while Morgana stared into blank space.
"You both seem troubled," Uther noted. "Is something wrong?" he asked.
"No, my lord," Morgana answered with a smile. "I'm sorry I'm not better company."
"I was merely concerned for your welfare, that's all," he explained.
"Thank you, my lord. All is well," Morgana assured.
"Amara?" he asked, looking over at his daughter.
"Headache," she muttered.
"You should see Gaius, he can prescribe a remedy."
"I'll send my servant later," she replied, not looking up from her plate.
Before he could ask her any more questions, the door to the hall opened and Arthur walked in. "What news of the hunt for the druid boy?" Uther asked and both Amara and Morgana looked over to him, eager to hear the answer.
"We have conducted an extensive search," Arthur answered. "The boy is nowhere to be found."
"You mean you failed to find him?" Uther asked irritably. Morgana and Amara caught each other's eyes and smirked, they were glad the boy was still uncaught.
"Perhaps he's already left the city," Arthur suggested.
"You're telling me that a wounded boy is able to evade the guards and escape the city? Nonsense. Someone's hiding him and I want him found," Uther demanded throwing down his napkin.
"Wounded?" Amara asked, she hadn't heard of him being wounded before.
"One of the guards struck him with their blade," Uther explained and Amara looked down in shock.
"He's just a boy. What harm can he do?" Arthur argued.
"He's a druid, and that makes him dangerous."
"The druids would see your father's kingdom destroyed," Morgana spoke up, siding with Uther as both Arthur and Amara looked at her incredulously.
"I had no idea you were such an authority on druids," Arthur snapped at her.
"Morgana is right," Uther agreed. "Double your efforts."
"Yes, father," Arthur agreed, making to leave the room.
"Keep searching until you find him."
"May I be excused?" Amara asked and Uther nodded.
"I'll have food sent to your room," he offered, being able to tell that Amara was in no mood to socialize.
"Thank you," she nodded before following Arthur out.
"Can you believe Morgana?" he asked. "I would've thought she'd be the first person to defend the boy, but instead she agrees he should be executed?"
"I don't know why she said that," Amara scowled. "I don't think she meant it. But then why say it?"
"She's driving me insane," Arthur snapped before they went their separate ways.
"Morgana," Amara called out as she knocked on her bedroom door the next day. She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Arthur and some guards approaching. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Searching all the rooms," Arthur answered.
"Including Morgana's?" Amara laughed and he nodded. "I'm glad I got here in time to see this," she smiled. "Morgana is not going to be happy."
"Amara," Morgana smiled as she answered the door. "Arthur," she greeted less enthusiastically. Amara smirked as she skipped into Morgana's room and sat down on the bed. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" Morgana asked Arthur.
"Don't get all excited. It's not a social call," he eye-rolled as he sauntered into the room. "We're looking for the druid boy. I'm afraid I'm going to have to search your chambers."
"You're not searching my chambers," Morgana refused immediately.
"Told you so," Amara laughed.
Arthur scowled at his sister before turning back to Morgana, his hands on his hips, "don't take it personally. I have to search the entire castle. It will only take a few minutes," he declared as he stepped around her. Amara watched as Morgana looked around nervously and frowned, Morgana was hiding something.
"I'm not having you mess up my things," Morgana stuttered.
"I'm not interested in your things," Arthur sighed. "I'm just looking for any evidence that the druid boy's in the castle."
"I thought you said he escaped back to his people?" Amara asked.
"Father's orders Amara, you were there," he groaned.
"Perhaps the druid boy's hiding in your chambers," Morgana suggested. "They're usually such a mess, you'd never know."
"It's hardly my fault I have such a lazy idiot for a servant," Arthur defended and Amara laughed.
"If you can't even find your own servant what hope do you have of finding the boy?" Morgana asked mockingly.
Amara laughed again, "I'm so glad I'm here for this," she smiled as the two of them glared at her.
"Really, I'm touched by the confidence you have in my abilities," Arthur scowled at Morgana, "and as much as I'd love to stay and talk, the sooner we get started, the sooner we'll be finished."
"I don't think he's going to be hiding in the jar," Amara teased as Arthur lifted the lid on a small jar before quickly dropping the lid back and walking away from it as if it didn't happen.
"Well I'll save you the trouble," Morgana spat.
"Trust me, if I could find him, I would," Arthur glowered.
Morgana walked up to Arthur who turned to look at her, "the druid boy's hiding behind the screen." Arthur looked at Morgana suspiciously and Amara smirked. "I'm sure your father would love to know how you wasted your time by rifling through my things. Go on," she urged.
"So you can have the satisfaction of making me look a fool?" he asked.
"You're looking like that already," Amara teased. "While you're at it, I should let you know, the druid boy is hiding under the mattress in my room. It's definitely worth a look," she giggled as she stood up and walked up to the two of them.
Morgana smirked at Amara before turning back to Arthur, knowing they had him cornered, "in my experience you don't need any help looking like a fool. What are you waiting for?" she smiled. "Take a look."
"Why don't you two just go back to brushing your hair, or whatever it is you do all day?" Arthur snapped before turning to leave the room as Amara giggled.
"Bye Arthur. Good luck with the search," Morgana called after him as he shut the door. As soon as the door slammed Amara stopped laughing and turned to Morgana with a glare. "What?" Morgana asked confused.
Amara turned around and stomped up to the curtain and drew it to the side to see Merlin hiding with the druid boy. "Morgana!" she hissed as Morgana's eyes widened.
"You knew," Morgana realized.
"You're not that good a liar! I cannot believe you! And Merlin!" she snapped, turning to face the boy, "if you are caught you will be executed, Morgana will be safe because she is the king's ward, but you don't have such luxuries. Are you two stupid?"
"Amara, please," Morgana begged, running around her and bending down to the boy. "He's not well."
"I don't care!" she yelled. "Every guard in the castle is searching for him, you will be caught! You are both being stupid and reckless over a child you do not know!"
"Amara…" Merlin started.
"Shut up!" she snapped in anger. "I do not agree with executing a child but they are the king's orders. I won't say anything, but get him out of here before he gets caught," she growled before storming out of the room.
Amara walked into Morgana's room the next afternoon, "I hope the boy is gone," she spoke before she froze, seeing Morgana, Merlin, Gwen, and Gaius bent over the druid. "Are you serious? Gwen and Gaius as well? How reckless are you being Morgana?" she asked, quickly shutting the door behind her and walking over.
"Reckless indeed," Gaius agreed. "As soon as he is well, you must get him out of Camelot and woe betide anyone caught helping him."
"He leaves tonight," Amara spoke up, glaring before she turned and left.
"Amara," Morgana called, chasing her out into the hallway.
"What Morgana?" Amara snapped.
"Please," she begged. "You're being cruel."
"I don't want to see the boy executed, that does not mean I want a druid in the heart of the castle," she whispered.
"Amara," Morgana pleaded, grabbing her hands. "He's just a child. He's committed no crime."
"He has magic."
"Having magic isn't a crime," Morgana reasoned. "It's how you wield it."
"You best not allow the king to hear you say that."
"You're not Uther. Uther is cold but you are not. You have a heart, a good heart. Please, Amara. He's a child and he's dying. We'll smuggle him out tonight, but please, don't be cold to him," Morgana insisted.
Amara sighed, Morgana was right. He was just a child, and having magic was not a crime in itself. "I know you're right," she admitted. "I do not think the druids should be punished only for coming to Camelot for supplies. But it is my father's orders that the boy is captured, and he is the king, I don't believe in disobeying my king."
"Even when his orders are wrong? Sometimes we have to stand up for what's right Amara, no matter the consequences. Uther may not be able to see what's right, but you can. You stood up for Gwen when she was under threat of execution, I was hoping you'd do the same for this boy," Morgana said quickly, releasing Amara's hands and marching back into her chambers.
"My lady?" Juliana asked, "are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Amara assured as she looked out the window. "Do you sometimes get a feeling that something is going to go wrong?"
"What do you mean my lady?" she asked.
"I don't know," Amara sighed. "I just have a bad feeling about tonight."
"Do you think they'll find the druid boy? I hope they don't," Juliana admitted. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that," she said shaking her head.
"That's quite alright," Amara nodded as the warning bells began sounding.
"What's happening?" Juliana gasped, slightly panicked.
"Morgana," Amara breathed.
"Do you think they found the druid boy?" Juliana asked.
"I'm afraid you may be right," Amara said as she looked out the window. She should have helped, she shouldn't have stood by.
Amara stood in the hall with Arthur, Uther, and Morgana as they discussed Morgana's actions. Arthur had caught her trying to smuggle the druid boy out of the castle last night.
"All this time," Uther finally spoke up after a few minutes of pacing in anger, "you've been hiding the boy in my own palace. How could you betray me like this?" he demanded as he looked up at Morgana who was standing at the other end of the table.
"I would not see him executed," Morgana defended.
"I have treated you like another daughter. Is this how you repay me?"
"I did what I thought was right," she argued as Arthur and Amara stood together at the side of the table with their heads hanging down.
"You think it is right to conspire with my enemies against me?"
"How can this child be your enemy?" Morgana snapped. "He's just a boy."
"He's a druid," Uther explained as he stalked towards her.
"Is that such a crime?" Morgana asked and Amara flicked her eyes towards Morgana, she was pushing Uther and it wasn't going to end well.
"His kind would see me dead and this kingdom returned to anarchy, and you would help them."
"Then punish me, but spare the boy," Morgana requested. "I beg you."
"Make arrangements for the boy to be executed tomorrow morning," Uther asked, turning to Arthur.
"No," Morgana yelled running after Uther. "Please. He's done nothing."
"Let this be a lesson to you. Do you hear me? I want him executed at dawn," Uther snapped at Arthur.
"Yes, father," Arthur spoke, barely looking up. Uther nodded and began walking away again, but Morgana just kept pushing and stormed after him.
"What have these people done to you? Why are you so full of hate?" she yelled before grabbing onto his arm.
At this action, Uther snapped, "enough," spinning around and grabbing Morgana's neck, pushing her back so she was pinned against a chair. Amara looked up at Arthur, hoping he'd know what to do, but Arthur just shook his head, they couldn't afford to push Uther further or he might enact more punishment on Morgana. "I will not hear another word. Do not speak to me until you are ready to apologize for what you've done," he spat before releasing his hold on her neck and storming out of the room.
"Stay here, I'll talk to him," Arthur said quietly to Amara before chasing after their father.
"Are you ok?" Amara asked, hurrying towards Morgana.
"Don't," Morgana cried, throwing off the hand Amara laid on her arm. "You could've helped and none of this would have happened. If you'd helped the boy might be safe with his people right now. But you refused to help, you sided with orders from a heartless king. I need to be by myself," Morgana muttered, quickly leaving the hall.
Later that day Arthur came walking into Amara's room and shook his head at her, "you knew."
"I didn't help," Amara defended.
"You should have told me."
"And what would you have done?" Amara asked.
"I don't know," Arthur sighed. "Morgana should never have allowed you to be involved."
"I wasn't really involved," Amara argued.
"It doesn't matter, Morgana is older than you. She should be helping to protect you, not dragging you into this. And now she's dragged me into it, we're breaking him out tonight."
"What?" Amara asked, standing up.
"I'm smuggling him out through the burial vaults. I need you to have dinner with my father and Morgana tonight. Morgana is going to dine with him in order to remain free of suspicion when he escapes, I need you there to keep him calm."
"Me?"
"He won't lose his temper too badly if you're there and I don't trust Morgana not to say something stupid. Please, Amara, it's the right thing to do," he asked and she nodded.
"The insolence," Uther ranted as Amara sat with him and had dinner.
"I'm sure she'll apologize," Amara tried to reason.
"I've treated her as my own and she disrespects me like this. She's lucky I gave my word to her father I'd keep her safe," Uther growled and Amara looked up at him, he'd never said such things about Morgana before, he was really feeling betrayed.
"She'll apologize, father, I know she will. She respects you too much. I'm sure she's ashamed of her actions," Amara falsely told him as the doors to the hall opened up and Morgana walked in. Amara looked at her and nodded subtly, letting her know she was here to help the boy.
"I've come to apologize, my Lord," Morgana stuttered. "You have been generous, kind, and fair. And I owe you everything. I truly don't know what came over me, I acted without thinking of the consequences," Morgana lied. "My behavior was unforgivable."
Amara looked over at her father and smiled, it was exactly how she told him it would be. "I'm glad you have seen sense," Uther said giving her a small smile. "Dine with us," he offered. "Let's put this unfortunate incident behind us," he said, waving in a servant to fetch food for Morgana
Morgana smirked as she took a seat, he'd fallen for it, "thank you, my lord. I was so worried you'd be unable to forgive me."
"So long as you see sense, there is nothing that can't be forgiven," Uther smiled.
"I'm so glad this is sorted," Amara smiled. "Now, let's get on with a lovely dinner and forget this ever happened," she smiled, raising her goblet of wine. Morgana and Uther raised theirs in response when the warning bells began ringing.
"Guard!" Uther called and a guard stepped into the room. "Find out why they're sounding the warning bells," Uther requested as he looked around suspiciously.
"Yes, my lord," The guard agreed, stepping back out of the room.
"It's probably nothing," Amara dismissed as she drank some of her wine nervously.
"Probably," Uther nodded. "Would you care to join me on a ride tomorrow Amara?" he asked, trying to break the tension in the room.
"I'd love to," she nodded. "Could we ride to the ridge? I always love the view from there."
"Of course," he smiled. "I'll take the day off, we can spend it together. You're welcome to join us, Morgana," he offered, extending an olive branch to her.
"Oh I would but I promised Gwen I would try the dresses she made for me so she can fit them," Morgana refused.
"My lord," the guard called as he entered back into the room. "I regret to report that the druid boy has escaped from the dungeon."
Amara placed her goblet down noisily, attempting to feign shock, but Morgana made no such moves to deceive Uther.
"What? How?" Uther demanded, standing up from his chair in anger.
"My lord, he was assisted by some accomplices," the guard elaborated. "The guards are searching Camelot as we speak."
"Find him and his accomplices, and kill them," Uther ordered with malice.
"Yes, my lord," the guard nodded before leaving the room and shutting the door behind him.
Uther turned his glare to Morgana, "if I discover that you were somehow involved in freeing this boy, the consequences will be extremely severe."
"Father she's been here with us the whole time," Amara spoke up, defending Morgana.
Morgana nodded, "my lord, you know I respect you too much to ever betray you like that," Morgana lied poorly.
"I made a promise to your father that I would protect you. But if you cross me again I will break that promise without a second thought," Uther growled before leaving the room.
As soon as Uther left Morgana let out a sigh of relief, "you could have acted a bit better than that," Amara snapped, standing up. "He was fully ready to forgive you. You're lucky he doesn't have any proof you helped the child escape. I understand it was for a good cause, but please Morgana, don't cross him again," Amara warned before leaving the hall.
