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Chapter 5

The sight that met Morgana's eyes took her breath away as she walked out onto the balcony. The first thing that caught her attention was the sea oh how she had missed the sea. Tintagel was on the sea and where she had grown up until her father's death. There had been times, which had lessened over the years, that she had missed seeing the sea and breathing in the salty air, like it was a part of her that was missing. As her eyes moved away from the sea it moved to a bustling port full of ships and people. She could hear the sounds of the city its people hard at work. She could tell from where they were that the castle was situated up high and the city spread out from there leading to the port. Suddenly there was a large shadow that passed over her.

"What was that?" Nell came out, looked up and smiled.

"Oh they seem to be in a good mood today."

"Who?"

"Those are just some of the young dragons."

"Dragons?" Morgana exclaimed as she too looked to the sky and there she saw them. They were about the size of a large dog. One was a dark green while the other was the color of sand. They were flying around one another, it seemed that they were wrestling in the air.

"Come down here you two!" Nell yelled up at them. Morgana looked over to the girl in shock and was even more flabbergasted when the two dove toward them. They were coming down so fast she let out a small shriek but at the last second they opened their wings and landed softly. When Morgana uncovered her face the two little dragons were warbling at Nell.

"Come over here my Lady," Nell said holding out her hand toward her. Morgana gathered her courage and slowly inched her way toward them. As she drew nearer she took in how truly beautiful the little creatures were. They stood on their hind legs looking at her with their heads cocked to the side as if studying her. The smaller of the two, the sand colored one, apparently decided she was okay and waddled over to her. It stopped in front of her and the only thing she could think of doing was to pet it.

Her fingers brushed the top of its head and she was surprised to find it was warm but also sort of bony. The little dragon looked up at her and she was taken back by how light a blue its eyes were. The dragon closed its eyes and pushed its head further into Morgana's hand seeming to like the gentle caress. While Morgana petted the sand one the forest green one had moved closer and nosed his way under Morgana's arm.

"Do they have names?"

"Yes. The sandy one is named Elips, her name means hope, and the other is Thales, his name means blossom." Morgana was still petting them when a loud earth shattering roar broke the quiet tranquility, making all of them jump. An even larger shadow than the two young dragons created moved quickly over head. The dragon was huge. It had large spines that jutted from above the eyes that circled around its head and then trailed down its back to end on a spiked tail. It looked truly ferocious especially with its scales varying shades of reds and oranges like a living fire, the dragons of scary stories.

"That's Pyrrhus, he's one of the head dragons of the Dragon Guard."

"'Dragon Guard'? What? Wait!" Thales and Elips had jumped up to the railing of the balcony and seemed to topple over but by the time Morgana had made it to the railing she was able to see them slowly gliding their way down to the menacing looking dragon. She just watched them for a little while as the two little ones played around the big one's head, she thought she heard a rumbling laugh coming from the big creature but that wasn't possible, right?

A knock on the door startled her but she had time to compose herself while Nell went to open the door. After a short exchange a large man ambled in. His hair was the color of copper in the sunlight and his greyish blue eyes and chiseled features showed confidence. Morgana could tell from his stance that he was most likely a knight and that's when is face registered making her duck her head.

This is the knight I hit with a tray. She could feel herself grow pale with nerves and she couldn't bring herself to look up. What is wrong with me? I have more confidence than this! I am the Lady Morgana and I... her self pep talk faltered when she recalled Merlin's screams and remembered she had been unable to help him.

"My Lady?" Nell inquired as she approached. She had seen how Morgana had ducked her head when she had recognized Sir Knox but then her aura had turned sorrowful. When Morgana looked up Nell was able to see the sadness and regret that filled her eyes. Her heart broke for her.

"My Lady, I'm Sir Knox," the man said as he moved forward with a bow, "and I was sent to escort you to the council chambers to meet the King."

"Thank you Sir Knox," Morgana respectively replied, curtsying as she did. "And can I say how truly sorry I am for injuring you the other day."

"No need to apologize my Lady. It does my heart good to know you can defend yourself, even if it was a little painful." His cheeky yet sincere smile calmed Morgana's nerves. This isn't Camelot, she had to remind herself,or any other kingdom I've heard of for that matter. She followed Knox out of her new chambers when Nell stopped her.

"My Lady, I will clean up your chambers and do the laundry while you speak with the King and go see your friend. Everything will be ready when you return."

"Thank you, Nell."

"My pleasure, my Lady."

Morgana and Knox walked in silence for a little while before they entered the breezeway that showed her even more of the amazing view of the castle grounds as well as the Port Town below.

"This place is beautiful," Morgana commented, slowing to look out the open archways. "It reminds me of my home."

"Your home is on the sea my Lady?" Knox asked as he stopped next to her. Everyone was curious as to where the two strangers were from and there were bets that had been placed about where they came from.

"My childhood home yes, but my mother died young and my father passed when I was eight so I had to leave to live with my guardian. I didn't realize how much I've missed the sea until Nell showed me my view from the balcony." Her tone was wistful causing Knox to smile and internally thanking Nell for her kind actions that seemed to help the young woman. But something about her story resonated within him, almost like he had heard something similar before.

They continued along their way and finally came to a stop in front of two ornate doors that Morgana could only guess led to the council chambers. Her nerves were eating at her stomach and her hands shock as they became clammy. Knox placed a hand on her shoulder making her jump a little.

"Don't worry my Lady," Knox said soothingly. "King Brynjarr and Princess Runa are good people. They just want to know what happened."

"I know but the only royals I know either hate magic or they use anyone who wields it. I don't think they're like that but it's a hard mindset to change so quickly."

"Understood," the doors started to open, "well good luck."

Morgana took a deep breath and as she let it out she moved into the room. When she looked around she was amazed with the room itself, the white stones were gleaming from the sunlight that was streaming through the large arched windows. As she looked around her eyes finally caught on the princess whose long red hair was half up with the rest that fell well past her waist, she wore a simple dark blue dress with a slightly lighter blue underdress that matched the sash at her waist. Gone was the warrior princess that had been in her chambers earlier that day, in her place was a serine and simply beautiful woman.

As Morgana's eyes moved on from the princess she spotted who could only be the King. He was a tall man who appeared to have aged well, with only a small amount of lines at the corner of his eyes, whose blonde hair had only one streak of white. The dark blue of his tunic matched his daughter and if not for the silver stitching on his black coat he would have looked far more foreboding along with his black trousers and dark boots. Both wore intricate silver circlets. As she drew nearer Morgana took notice of how light the king's eyes were and the fact they were assessing her. Once she finally reached them she dropped into a proper curtsy, forgetting she was trying to hide the fact she was nobility.

"Good morning Sire and to you your highness." The King raised his eyebrow at her making her remember she was trying to hide the fact that she was noble from them.

"It seems Lenus was correct in assuming you're nobility," the King said in a slightly accented voice. Morgana didn't want to out right lie to these people so she just nodded. "Well, come sit." The King gestured toward the large round stone table that seemed to be missing the center. Morgana was moving slowly still a little uneasy when Runa came up to her.

"Breathe, Morgana, my father may seem rough and scary but he's just worried about everything that has happened over the last couple of weeks, and we already guessed about your upbringing." Morgana let out a sigh and some of the knots in her stomach loosened but not all. She didn't know how they would react to her being the Ward of Uther Pendragon.

As they settled Morgana continued to look around. The council chamber were truly exquisite, the outer wall was curved with two large doors that lead out to what was most likely a large balcony and the multitude of large arched windows let in light into what might have been a very daunting room. Morgana was brought out of her trance by a small cough making her face heat and drop her head.

"Forgive me, it's just," Morgana stammered without looking up. "These chambers are truly amazing. Actually every part of this castle I've seen is superb. The architecture is like nothing I've ever seen before."

"It's magic," Runa supplied simply. Morgana just cocked her head in confusion. "This entire castle was built by magic and has been changed and updated over the centuries by different magic users, and it may surprise you but Camelot's citadel was also built by magic. I believe it was a sorcerer named Cornelius Sigan who built it."

"Really?" Morgana asked surprised. That had never been part of her education, but it did sound vaguely familiar, then she remembered Merlin had dealt with the ancient sorcerer earlier that year, if her dreams had been accurate.

"Considering how Uther treats those of magic he'd just brush it off and say it was just a sorcerer's lies," Morgana mumbled under her breath, but both the King and princess heard.

"Speaking of the southern kingdoms," the King started.

"Southern kingdoms?" Morgana questioned, interrupting the King, almost immediately she bowed her head in apology. "Sorry my Lord that was rude of me." He just gave her a warm smile that helped calm her.

"No need for apologies little one, my daughter routinely interrupts me and never apologies," the King quipped looking at his daughter. "Maybe you can learn some 'proper' manners from her." The princess just gave her father a deadpan look before rolling her eyes, causing him to throw his head back in laughter.

Morgana was perplexed. This kingdom is so strange, she thought for the umpteenth time that day. Uther would have never teased Arthur like that and if Arthur had ever acted like the Princess did, Uther wouldn't have laughed, he'd have been furious.

"Either way," the King continued, "your question was about the southern kingdoms?" Morgana just nodded. "I'm assuming it's about what we consider a 'southern kingdom', correct?" Again Morgana just nodded. "Essentially it's any of the kingdoms south of our own that ban magic or have harsh laws concerning it. Camelot being the prime example." Morgana flinched slightly when the King mentioned Camelot and it didn't go unnoticed.

"I take it you're from Camelot, my Lady?" Runa questioned softly. Morgana looked up alarmed. "You called their King by name almost as if it was a curse. Then just now you flinched when we brought up what it is that Camelot is most known for."

"Yes, I'm from Camelot," Morgana hung her head defeated. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" the King asked, confused.

"That I didn't tell you right away, that… that I wasn't able to stop him." Morgana looked so forlorn it broke both Runa and Brynjarr's hearts.

"Why do you feel like it's your fault that you couldn't stop him? You don't seem old enough to have been even born before the Purge let alone been in a position to stop him." The King's statements made Morgana give a mirthless laugh.

"I was born after the Purge but I wasn't able to help anyone who was affected by that man's insanity in the more recent years."

"What makes you so responsible and in a position to have been able to help or even stop him?" Runa asked.

"I'm… I'm," Morgana's voice caught in her throat. She didn't want to be forced to leave but she knew once they knew about her connection to Uther she wouldn't have a choice. She squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath and continued.

"I'm his Ward," she finally squeaked out. Silence greeted her declaration, when she finally looked up it wasn't into looks of disgust or revulsion but shock and something else she could not figure out.

"Oh you poor child," the King finally said after an eternity of silence. Runa just rose and came over to stand next to Morgana. Morgana was shocked when Runa pulled her into a crushing hug.

"You must've been so terrified," Runa whispered into her ear. "It's okay now, you're here, you're safe and you never have to go back there if you don't want to."

Once again Morgana's emotions welled up inside and finally spilled over. Her eyes became wet with tears as she held onto Runa and silently cried. This was all she had wanted, someone to hold her and tell her she was safe, and actually feel it.

As Morgana cried Brynjarr thought over her situation. Brynjarr knew without a doubt Runa was going to stand by her offer of sanctuary to Morgana and damn anyone who would tell her otherwise. He knew that most people would see what he and his daughter saw, a terrified young woman who would have died at the hand of the man who raised her for something she had no choice in and was not the evil he proclaimed it to be. However some might see her as just Uther Pendragon's Ward no matter the fact she had magic like so many others. Regardless he wasn't going to stand by and let her be prosecuted. He agreed with his daughter, Morgana was safe here and here she would be allowed to stay unless she wished to leave. Brynjarr caught Runa's eye and just gave a curt nod, Runa's smile was his reward.

"Morgana?" Runa asked softly. Morgana sniffed and nodded not trusting her voice. "How did you become his Ward? We've been out of touch with the southern kingdoms for some time, since the end of the Purge really, so we don't really know what's going on. We do get some reports from the refugees that we take in but not really about Uther's more personal business."

"My father died in battle and Uther had promised him he would take care of me should anything ever happen."

"Who was your father?"

"Lord Gorlois of Tintagel." Both royal's eyes widen at her father's name. "What is it?"

"If you're Gorlois' girl then you are more than welcome here." Morgana looked at the King in confusion. "Gorlois didn't agree with what Uther was doing to those of magic but after a while he knew that no matter what he said Uther wouldn't see reason. Instead your father turned Tintagel into a refugee port. Several people would hide those running from Uther's wrath and wait until one of our boats would come into port and we would load the refugees up and be on our way. I don't know if his successor knows or not but those that worked under your father are still loyal to what he wanted to do and so this system is still in place. We've been able to get hundreds out of the southern kingdoms this way. Many people owe him their lives."

Silent tears started again down Morgana's cheeks as the King told her about what her father had done. She had always felt like she should have done more to stop Uther and to hear her father had and his legacy was still helping all those Uther persecuted made her heart fill with light, which had been clouded in darkness for so long. The King and princess watched as she hastily brushed at her cheeks to try to hide her tears.

"So with introductions out of the way perhaps you could enlighten us as to how you and Merlin came to be in the positions you found yourselves in?" Brynjarr asked sitting forward.

"Of course, but where shall I start?"

"Just start where you think we need to understand from," supplied Runa. Morgana nodded and was about to start when the chamber doors opened, a man walking through. The man was tall with long black hair streaked with grey that was pulled back in a low ponytail; he wore fine leather armor well disguised as a long leather coat. His breaded face and brown eyes held mirth and also under it was what Morgana saw as sadness, from what she didn't know.

"Uncle!" Runa got up and strode toward the man embracing him in a tight hug, the smile that overtook his face seemed familiar but she couldn't place where. "Welcome back! I assume that they have settled down?"

"Yes," the man answered as he looped his arm through Runa's leading her back to the table. "Whatever was making those pulses has stopped so the problems concerning them has calmed. Now who's this beautiful Lady?"

"This is the Lady Morgana, she's Gorlois' girl," supplied Brynjarr. The man's eyes widened at the introduction but she too was treated to the man's infectious smile as her lips tipped up in a small smile.

"We were all sad when we heard of your father's death, but we never did hear of what became of you."

"She was actually just about to tell us what's been going on. I hope you were informed about what has transpired the past two days?" Runa had turned toward the man whose only answer was to nod. All eyes were on Morgana again and she found herself nervous about the story she was going to tell, hoping they would believe her.

"It all started when Morgause challenged Arthur to a duel." Morgana told her story trying not to leave details out and even spoke about her dreams, both before they were taken and afterwards, what her dreams showed her about Merlin, everything she could remember and what she felt like she had the right to tell. When she spoke about seeing Merlin talking to a dragon under the castle the unnamed man spoke out.

"Kilgharrah's still alive then." At Morgana's questioning look he elaborated. "The golden dragon's name, and he sounds like his imprisonment has addled his mind. I mean he was always cryptic but this sounds like he's even worse now. We need to get him out." The last sentence was said pointedly at the King who just raised his brow. The two men just stared back at one another until finally the King relented.

"We'll speak about this later." Brynjarr sighed.

"Merlin promised on his mother's life to free him, but…" Morgana hedged with worry.

"He hasn't really been in the position to do so, magic shouldn't hold him on that, but still," Runa looked up to her uncle.

"What?" he questioned.

"Perhaps you could go check on her, Merlin's mother, just make sure she's okay, maybe bring her here so she could be with him while he's healing?" Morgana turned hopeful eyes toward the man and he knew he was not getting out of going to retrieve this woman.

"Fine," Morgana clasped her hands together in delight with the man's answer. "But if I end up caught and dead by Uther's hand because of this I'm going to haunt you." Both Runa and Brynjarr laughed at his jest.

"Oh you won't have to worry about Uther, Merlin's originally from Essetir." Morgana assured.

"Really?"

"Yes, a small village called Ealdor." Immediately the man's expression turned dark and sad. Morgana didn't know what she had said to make the man so upset.

"Ealdor you say. I stayed there once over twenty years ago, lovely little village, perhaps I knew his mother. What was her name?" His voice was strange as he spoke.

"Hunith." At the name all three of the royals stopped breathing.

"Are-Are you positive about that name?" the man choked out, his eyes never leaving Morgana's face, Runa and her father were looking back and forth between the two.

"Of course. I've met her. She's a lovely woman."

"That's not possible." The man slowly shook his head his eyes never leaving Morgana.

"Perhaps…? H-How old is Merlin?" Runa ask shakily.

"I don't know his exact age but I think 20 maybe 21…" The man roughly pushed back his chair and strode quickly to the doors.

"Uncle?" "Balinor!" Runa and the King called after him both rising. The man, Balinor, was already out the door and both royals moved to follow him until Brynjarr put a hand on Runa's shoulder stopping her. He nodded toward Morgana who looked slightly terrified. Runa just closed her eyes, nodding and sat back down, Brynjarr strode out the doors following his long time friend and brother-in-law.

Morgana watched the King exit and follow the other man, when she turned toward Runa she could see the sheen of unshed tears.

"Did I do something wrong?" Morgana questioned, fearing what she had said to cause these reactions.

"No, no, no," Runa kept repeating while shaking her head. "No you've done nothing wrong."

"But…" she looked toward the chamber doors with trepidation.

"That, well, that was my uncle finding out the woman he loves is not only not dead but that they have a son." Runa's news came crashing down on Morgana. His smile, she thought, Merlin has his father's smile.

"But this also explains a lot more." At Morgana's curious gaze Runa was going to elaborate when Gwaine and Knox walked in.

"What happened? Balinor just ran out of here as if a banshee were chasing him." Knox nodded along with Gwaine's question.

"Well, I'm no longer the only heir to the throne."

"What?" both men question.

"Turns out, Merlin's Balinor's son."

"Wh-W-Wha-What!" both knights sputtered.

"How?" Gwaine questioned.

"I thought you knew how that worked. Do I need to get Dinah to have the talk…?" Gwaine just glared at her making her falter when a smile over took her face. "Sorry you walked into that one."

"I meant, didn't Balinor's wife die by Uther's hand after he escaped Ealdor?"

"Apparently not and I don't think we'll get more answers on that until Hunith gets here herself-"

"I'm sorry but what did Uther do?" Morgana's stomach had dropped again.How much more hurt has he caused? Morgana questioned.

"I'm guessing you don't know that once upon a time Galdra and Camelot were allies." Morgana just shook her head. "Well as hard as that is to believe it's the truth but after Uther started the Purge that alliance was halted. The Purge or at least the height of the Purge lasted about a year until Uther went too far. Do you know what Dragonlords are?" Again Morgana just shook her head.

"Well in simple terms they are kin of sort to dragons and can actually command them. It's a magic of sorts and well you know better than anyone that anything to do with magic, at least in Uther's eyes, must be eliminated."

"Why would she know better than anyone?" Knox questioned. Morgana jerked and her heart started beating rapidly.

"She grew up in Camelot so of course she would know it better than any of us." Morgana let out a silent relieved sigh. "Where was I? Oh yes, Dragonlords and Uther. About 22 years ago Uther called all the Dragonlords together asking them to bring the Great Dragon with them, he wanted to speak of peace. See Dragonlords were held in high regard amongst those of magic and many of them held Noble and in my uncle's case, Royal titles, so it was believed that Uther was finally seeing sense." Runa gave a mirthless laugh and both Gwaine and Knox's heads were bowed in sorrow.

"They all wanted so badly for Uther to return to the great King he had once been but it was their folly to believe that a man who had slaughtered hundreds of innocents would ever go back to the person they had once been. They never saw it as a trap. My uncle and five of our Lords, also Dragonlords went, and-and so too did my mother." Runa had gotten up and had made her way toward the doors pushing them open letting in even more light and she stepped out. Those in the council chamber could see this was hard on her, Gwaine and Knox knew what was coming and Morgana dreaded what she was about to learn. Runa was silent for a bit before she came back in and sat back down next to Morgana.

"There were ten others from all over Albion that came but Kilgharrah's home is Galdra so he came with our Dragonlords. Goddess, were we ignorant. Kilgharrah warned us that Uther's summons was not what it seemed but we didn't listen. It was a slaughter. Uther's knights locked the Dragonlords in the courtyard and started firing on them. The arrows of course did nothing to Kilgharrah but Uther had wanted him bound in chains and they had complied so he was of little help other than torching some of the knights that got too close. The only Dragonlords that survived the initial attack were those from Galdra, because of my mother." Runa stopped again and Morgana could see where this was going and a part of her didn't want to hear but the other part needed to know, needed to understand what had happened.

"Uther was furious and when no one was paying attention he snuck out into the courtyard. I don't know what alerted my mother but she turned at the last second and faced Uther as he drove his sword into her abdomen. I think that woke him up at least a little. His eyes had widened when my mother's hood fell back revealing her as the Queen of Galdra. He had just killed a ruling monarch and another king's wife. All the other kingdoms would have sided with my father if he had decided to go to war, because in everyway Uther had just committed the worst kind of taboo amongst royals."

"You-you speak as if you were there," Morgana spoke quietly. Runa's face took on a sad smile.

"That's because I was." Morgana gasped. She turned toward the two knights who would not meet her searching eyes then turned her eyes back toward the Princess.

"You couldn't have been more than-"

"I was three at the time." Morgana let out a choked gasp. "My mother thought it would have been a show of good faith that she brought me along but I was hidden within her cloak so he didn't see me until my mother had crumbled to the ground. I remember him just staring at his sword before some of his knights ushered him out of the courtyard and continued their slaughter. There was no saving my mother and with her dying breath she told my uncle to take me and run. The other Lords told him the same thing, so too did Kilgharrah so he grabbed me, I just remember screaming for my mother. I watched as the other five Lords fell to the swords of Uther's knights and another Dragonlord command Kilgharrah to sleep."

Tears were pouring down Morgana's face. She should hate me, she thought, she should hate all of Camelot and want it to burn. Almost as if Runa understood her thoughts she place a calming hand on top of Morgana's making the other young woman look her in the eyes, what Morgana saw there was nothing but compassion and kindness.

"Your parents were the ones who got me out, Morgana, and back to my father, they even retrieved my mother's necklace," Runa touched the intricate pendant that rested over her heart. "They were also the ones who helped get my uncle out of Camelot. The court physician also helped with a location for him to go which was to his sister in Ealdor. Hence the way Uncle met Hunith."

"Why don't you hate me? I'm his Ward, I-" Morgana was brought up short with Runa's hand under her chin. Runa made Morgana look her in the eye.

"But first and foremost you are the daughter of the Lord and Lady of Tintagel, and that will always come first." Runa's eyes were filled such compassion that it renewed the tears in Morgana's eyes.

"Oh, no more tears," Runa, said as she brushed the tears on Morgana's cheeks away.

"I don't usually cry this much."

"With what you've been through, I'd say you were due." She turned at the copper-haired knights words. "Even the strong have a breaking point my Lady, you've just finally reached yours." Morgana gave them a watery smile then they were all impressed with the way she pulled herself together.

"Can we go see Merlin now?" The somewhat out of nowhere question brought smiles to the others in the room.

"Yes we can." Runa chuckled as she spoke. "I think we've given my uncle enough of a head start." At her words everything came back around and as one they looked to the doors that just minutes earlier a man had rushed out to find the son he never knew he had.


Balinor was rushing through the halls ignoring any attempts made by others to speak to him. He had a son, a son he had never know about, and the woman he loved wasn't dead, wasn't gone. He had left them, alone, for over twenty years. His son had been in Camelot, had been tortured and he hadn't been able to help, had done nothing.

He thought back to when he had last been in Camelot and how it had lead him on his path, not only to the love of his life but apparently his son.

~Flashback~

Balinor was running through Camelot's citadel. His sister, his best friend and queen was dead, he was holding the last piece of her close to his chest. He couldn't let Runa die not by Uther's hand. He was running blind, relying on his pervious visits to guide him so he didn't notice when a hand shot out of an alcove grabbing him at the same time the other hand came up to cover his shout.

"Shh!" Balinor froze when knights by passed where he was they never even looked in his direction. When he turned around to question the person who had just saved his skin he was met with the blue-grey eyes of his old friend.

"Gorlois."

"Balinor what's going on?"

"Your king has gone mad."

"What? What did Uther do this time?" The Lord said tiredly.

"He just murdered my sister."

"What! " The look of horror that over took his face as to what the repercussions could be because of Uther's actions. His face greyed when he thought of the war that was almost guaranteed now. The Purge would seem like child's play. That's when he noticed the sniffling burden in the other man's arms. "Is that…?"

"Runa? Yes, Riana brought her along as a show of good faith and she thought she could play with Prince Arthur while we all talked but it's apparent now that Uther had no intention of talking." The noise of the search grew and Gorlois gestured for Balinor to follow him. Balinor was a little hesitant but he also trusted that at least Gorlois would not betray him as Uther had. Balinor followed Gorlois through the shadows of the citadel until they made it to spiral stairs and Gorlois quickly motioned Balinor forward into a chamber. When both men came barreling through they startled the other two occupants.

"Gorlois," the woman exclaimed. "What's going on? Are we under attack?"

"Viviana."

"Balinor? What in…" Viviana had started making her way towards him when the little girl in his arms turned toward her brining her up short.

"Is that Runa?" a second later, "Is that blood?"

"It's not hers."

"Well then whose is it?"

"Her mother's." Viviana recoiled at the answer her lips started to tremble.

"Ria? Ria is…"

"Gone." The harshly spoken word made the woman's knees buckle, luckily Gorlois had been close and was able catch her. He sent a glare at Balinor silently saying, 'Be a little more compassionate', but when Balinor looked down at his niece then back to Gorlois, Gorlois knew that at that moment Balinor didn't have it in him to do that.

"What has Uther done?" Viviana asked harshly. "And what are you even doing here?"

"Uther sent a summons to all the Dragonlords, he wished to speak peace between magic and mundane. We thought he was finally coming to his senses, had grieved and raged enough to see what he was doing was wrong, but we were the ones who were wrong. Riana wanted to come and try and reinstate the alliance between our kingdoms, Brynjarr wasn't for it, not really trusting in Uther's words, but she wouldn't hear of it. Uther had been our friend so I think we wanted to see the old him again but I don't think he exists anymore. Not after this." Balinor crushed Runa to his chest and instead of protesting she burrowed in more.

"What are you going to do?" Gorlois asked.

"I'm going home, taking Runa back to her father, her people, after that I honestly don't know." Balinor knew Gorlois was looking for him to try and stave off his brother-in-law from war with Camelot but inside at that moment he didn't have that in him. He was angry Uther had just killed one of the lights in his world.

"You can't," Viviana said breaking him out of his thoughts.

"And why not?" he asked his anger growing.

"Uther's going to be looking for a man and a small child traveling with little to nothing-"

"What am I supposed to do then?" he half yelled. "Leave her? I'll die before I do that."

"Will you listen?" Viviana spoke harshly. "Runa is my Goddaughter do you really think I would let anything happen to her? Uther's relentless especially recently, you'll be able to travel quicker without her and she could stay with us in Tintagel until you or Brynjarr can come get her." The two men looked at each other when Gorlois gestured that this wasn't a bad idea.

"But how are you going to explain suddenly having a small child with you?"

"I'll just say that one of my maids' sister, who lives here in Camelot, died recently from illness and asked me to take her orphaned child to her sister in Tintagel. Gaius, you can help back up my story can't you?" She asked the other man in the room who had stayed silent.

"Of course my Lady and if I might make a suggestion?" The other three nodded. "I've a sister in Essetir that you might be able to stay with until this dies down. She lives in a tiny village, a place Uther isn't likely to even know about."

"I didn't know you had a sister Gaius," Viviana inquired.

"Yes, we are many, many years apart. I was already out of the house when she was born. She's a good girl."

"Would she be willing to put her life on the line for a stranger?"

"She has a good heart, she'll do it."

"I don't know… I don't feel right bringing innocents into this."

"Balinor you don't have much of a choice," Viviana pushed. "This is probably the only way."

"I can get you out of the citadel via the siege tunnels but that's all I can do, at least for you. Viviana's right, we have a better chance of getting Runa out than you do. We can send word to Brynjarr that she is with us and…" Gorlois faltered on how to tell a man his wife was never coming home.

"He'll already know Riana is gone, part of the marriage ceremony that Galdraian royalty goes through." His voice was hollow as if the events that had happened were quickly weighing on him. His eyes had lowered and were looking into light blue-green eyes of one of his lights. She patted him on the cheeks and began babbling in her broken toddler-speak. Some of the words he understood were 'love you' and 'see you soon', and he knew that Runa understood what was going on. She had always been an extremely intelligent child but a part of him wished she weren't so, because she would most likely remember every detail of what transpired this day. He sighed and pulled her in for one more hug before handing her over to Viviana, who had tears running down her face as she hugged the girl close.

"Let's go."

"Wait," Viviana stopped them. She took off Runa's cloak and took some bedclothes stuffing them in it shoving it together into Balinor's empty arms.

"They're expecting you to be carrying a child, if you're spotted without her they'll think you stashed her nearby and check. Dump it once you've lost them." Balinor smiled at her and just shook his head.

"Riana always did say you would make a terrifying adversary. I see now she wasn't exaggerating." Viviana gave a watery smile as both her husband and his old friend ducked out all the while she held the last piece of her best friend in her arms knowing Uther was to blame for her untimely death.

~End Flashback~

While he had been lost in the past his feet had stopped outside of the Healer's Wing. He could feel the knots in his stomach tightening as he crossed the threshold. Lenus noticed him immediately and quickly made his way over to him.

"Prince- Dragonlord Balinor what brings you here?"

"Where is he?"

"Pardon?"

"Where's my son?" The word felt foreign on his tongue but also right. Lenus just looked him completely confused.

"S-son?"

"Merlin." Lenus' eyes just widened in shock before he just pointed toward the back corner where Althea was checking on the person in the bed. Balinor hurried over and Lenus stayed where he was frozen until Brynjarr called his name.

"Lenus?"

"Son?"

"There have been a lot of revelations this morning."

"Son?" Brynjarr just sighed knowing this was a huge shock to his head healer and old friend.

"Yes, Lenus, Merlin is Balinor's son."

"What?" Althea had joined them was shocked by her king's words.

"Apparently Balinor was mislead about his wife's demise and she was pregnant when he fled."

"Wait, Lady Hunith is alive?"

"Apparently."

"Where has she been this whole time?"

"She never left Ealdor." Both healers just stared at him in open shock and then turned to look where their Dragonlord was standing. They couldn't even comprehend what he was going through. Lenus took a step toward him but was stopped short when Brynjarr dropped his hand on his shoulder and just shook his head before he moved on toward his old friend.

Balinor was just looking down at his son, his son who was extremely pale and thin. He could feel the bile growing in his throat, thinking about the 'what if's'. What if he had never left? What if he had ignored the old man and continued looking for her? What if he had found them? What if…

"Balinor." When he looked at his brother-in-law and saw the comfort he was silently offering him, his heart hurt.

"I should have been there. I should have protected him. I should-"

"Balinor stop." Brynjarr shook Balinor's shoulder making him look at him. "Don't do this to yourself. No one had any idea-"

"I knew Hunith wasn't gone. The bond is still there." The tormented look in his eye was hard for Brynjarr to see.

"We've spoken about that before and we concluded that she could have been kept a prisoner but we put as many spies into the different southern kingdoms as we could and we never heard of a woman kept as a prisoner, at least not for that extended period of time. Gorlois also never heard of a prisoner like that in Camelot and he probably would have known about something like that."

"But she was in Ealdor this whole time-"

"Brother you were lied to. For what reason I don't know but you were lied to. You were still grieving Riana's loss and you knew how ruthless Uther was, so there was no reason that you shouldn't have believed that old man, no matter what your bond was telling you."

While they had been speaking Runa, Morgana and Gwaine had joined them. Knox had stayed back to speak with Althea.

"But-"

"But nothing Uncle," Runa interrupted. They all turned to look at her. "The past is the past and cannot be changed. No number of 'what if's' or 'but's' will change that, we can only live in the now. Now you have a son who is going to need all the love and help he can get to heal, you and his mother included. Now you know where she is, so go get her."

Runa looked at her uncle expectantly who was just blinking at her. He looked back down at his son and Runa's heart softened.

"If it will make it better Morgana and I will stay here till you return." Balinor looked between the two women and then back at his son finally he nodded his head. He kissed Runa's cheek as he bypassed her and Runa gave him a small smile.

"I'm taking Pyrrhus."

"Take two Knights with you please," Brynjarr called out.

"I'll go with you Dragonlord Balinor," Knox offered stepping away from Althea. Balinor and Brynjarr nodded.

"Any suggestions as to the other?" Balinor asked.

"Ramsey." They looked to Runa questionably. Ramsey was a relatively young knight who was untested.

"He's skilled in illusionary magic and can deal with concealing you all and the dragons while you and Knox retrieve Hunith." They nodded in understanding. Dragons hadn't been seen outside of their boarders in over twenty years and they wouldn't want to draw attention to themselves.

Balinor and Knox both bowed and left quickly while asking one of the servants to retrieve Sir Ramsey from the training field and bring him to the courtyard. Brynjarr and Gwaine followed. During this whole exchange Morgana hadn't been able to take her eyes off Merlin's form.

He looks even skinnier, she thought moving closer to the bed. She brushed a lock of hair away from his forehead. He's so pale, she fought back the sob that was trying to get out. She noticed the chair that was placed against the wall and she moved it over so that she could sit by his side. After she sat she picked up his hand and started rubbing circles on the back of it. She just kept looking at him still trying to assure herself that he was in fact alive and every breath he took was a testament to that.

Once Runa was finished with her uncle she had turned back to Morgana and could see she was fighting tears again. Poor dear's been through so much, she thought, then she turned toward Merlin. I hope he pulls through, if not for himself then for Morgana, I don't think she would ever get over his death. She pulled another chair over and sat across from her.

"Morgana."

"This is my fault." Runa could hear the tears in her voice. "If I hadn't trusted Morgause…"

"You are not to blame, for any of this. Morgause can be very persuasive, she called you sister, spoke to you about magic, offered help, a way to end your fear. You were a pawn and for that I am sorry as she's your sister." Runa saw Morgana's eyes take on a steely look.

"We may share blood but that does not make her my sister."

"Good that you see that." Morgana looked up through bleary eyes. "Blood is not everything, it is ones actions that dictate what their worth is both in family and else where in life." Runa held Morgana's gaze until the other young woman nodded, accepting her advice. Morgana looked back down at Merlin when he made a pained sound. A part of her hoped it was him waking but it wasn't. After some time she finally looked back up catching Runa's eye.

"How bad?"

"Morgana…"

"Please?" Runa looked up at the older man who had come over checking on Merlin. The older man just sighed.

"I've never seen worse and that is, unfortunately, saying a lot. We've done what we can. Many of the wounds we were able to close up without much fuss but it is the wound on his side that still has us worried. If he had been brought to us any later the infection in his wound and blood would have killed him." Morgana's face twisted at the healer's words.

"As it is we have poultices that are helping to fight the posion and it seems to have helped. We've also been able to drain some of the infection, the last time his blood ran clean so there is cause for hope. Another concern is his back."

"His back?" Morgana asked shakily. Lenus face pinched before he answered her.

"She used a barbed whip on his back, ripping it up effecently. His entire back will be scarred for life but he was fortunate-"

"Fortunate?" Morgana interrupted incrediously.

"All I mean my Lady is that it could have been worse."

"How?"

"He could have lost his ability to move his entire body at worst or one or both of his legs at the least. The fact he can still move them is a testiment to his strength." Morgana's face had paled then rappidly started turning green. Runa quickly summoned a bucket for her. Once Morgana was done retching into it she set it aside where it was vansihed at once by a flash of gold.

"We have poltices and herbs spread out on his back under his bandages that are helping to minimize the damage that's been done there. As for his magic, well his magical reserves were nearly depleated but they've compeltely filled back up and faster than I've ever seen. So he's doing great on that front."

"Is there any cause for concern besides his wounds?" Runa asked.

"I'm afraid so." When both women looked to him he explained. "Our nutrient potions can only do so much, he needs to wake up." Both women knew what happened to those who didn't and Morgana didn't want to think about it.

"My Lady-"

"Morgana, please call me Morgana," she said to the healer.

"Lady Morgana, he can still hear you, perhaps if you spoke to him it might help." Morgana turned hopeful eyes to the old healer, whose kind eyes reminder her of Gaius, and nodded.

"We'll give you two some privacy." Morgana watched as Runa and the healer walked away, leaving her alone with Merlin. She turned her face so it was looking at his and she thought of all of his scarafices, she thought of his smile which was easier to see now, she thought of his laugh, his clumbsiness, his loyalty, his kindness. She felt tears pricking at the back of her eyes agian and she tried to push them back.

"Merlin," she cleared her thorat when his name came out raw. "Please wake up. We're safe now. Safe from Morgause. Safe from Uther. You have family here. A father, an uncle and an a amzing cousin. They're going to go get your mother. You don't want her to see you like this do you? Please," Her voice broke and she knew she had tears streaming down her face.

"Please come back to me. I know I'm being selfish but I can't do this without you. You've been there this whole time trying to help without knowing how, behind Uther's back no less. I want you to help me to learn to control my powers, to use them for good like you do." She paused, "Please don't leave me." She started sobbing quietly and laid her head down beside him on the bed never relquishing her hold on his hand.

Runa, Althea and Lenus were watching this from the other side of the Wing and each could feel their own tears trying to come out. It was years of hard won control that held them at bay. Runa blinking back her tears turning toward the two healers.

"What can we do?"

"I honestly don't know."

"How long do we have?"

"A day, two at most." Runa's heart sunk but when she turned to look at them she thought of something.

"Maybe..."

"What?" Althea turned toward her.

"I might be able to get into his mind."

"You know how dangerous that is, both for you and Merlin," Althea stressed.

"Yes but we don't seem to have much of a choice. Its this or Merlin slips away, and I don't want that," Runa turned to look at the two who had been through so much in just three weeks, she knew she wanted to help. Another idea came to her.

"I don't know if me talking to him will get anywhere."

"Hm?"

"I've never seen a bond as strong as the one between Morgana and Merlin. If I can create a mental bridge for Morgana to try and reach Merlin, we might have a chance."

"That's dangerous," Lenus said looking at the two people, "but it might just work." The three nodded but Runa was going to wait until Hunith was there to bring the idea up with the others.


Galdra Courtyard

"So your mate is still alive?" Pyrrhus rumbled as he lowered his head.

"Yes."

"And you have a son." Balendin, a dragon of black and red, said as he settled.

"Apparenlty."

"Well at least we know that the Dragonlord line will continue," commented Chiara, a dragon of pale blue and pink.

"We hope," Balinor whispered.

"What's wrong?" Chiara asked concerened.

"He's in a bad state. He was the one sending out those pulses."

"What?" All three roared. Balinor could see their fury rising and gestured for those in the courtyard to take cover. Pyrrhus let out a stream of flame into the air before he settled his angry glare back at Balinor.

"Those were pleas for help, screams of pain. How was he in that situation?" Balinor explained what he could while they waited for Ramsey. When Ramsey finally joined them the dragons were angry and the young man felt he had done something wrong. Balinor assured the young man that was not the case. While Knox helped Ramsey mount Chiara, Brynjarr spoke with Balinor.

"Be swift. I plan to call a council meeting in two days. I think we need those couple days to settle down but the council will want to know the whole story."

"You can't be planning on putting Morgana in front of them."

"No but if they demand it Runa will guide her on what to say and what not to. They need to see her as Gorlois' daughter before Uther's ward."

"You're concerned about those like Lord Owen."

"Only a little. That wreched wench caused more discord that I would like however we are staying true to the values we've held for so long but I know some grow restless. This is going to strike a cord with some of our nobles though. Especially since Merlin was Arthur's manservant. Some aren't going to like it while others might want to exploit both of their knowledge."

"That's not our way."

"I fear we are going to have to explain that again. However Runa's mad enough to be spitting fire so they are going to have to watch themselves with her or she is going to explain in detail why we refuse to bring ourselves to hislevel." The two men were quiet for a bit until Knox called out, having mounted Balendin.

"Call the Druid cheiftens as well and their elders. They deserve to hear this from us not second hand." Brynjarr nodded. Balinor went to Pyrrhus and mounted quickly.

"Safe travels." Brynjarr called out, all three men bowed their heads then with a call from Balinor the dragons' wings spread and with a great gust of wind they took to the skies. Brynjarr stayed there watching until they were no longer even specks in the sky.


Somewhere in Camelot

Rain was pouring down and had been for several days but that had not stopped Arthur from leaving on his quest. However the rain had gotten worse and if they contiuned they could cause harm to their horses.

"There's an inn and tavern up ahead Sire," one of his knights called. "They have a large barn that can store our horses until this lets up." Arthur nodded as they moved as quickly as they could through the deluge.

When they neared the inn they were directed to a large barn where Arthur and Leon dismounted and made a hasty retreat to inside the tavern. When they stepped inside the hum died down for a second before it restarted. They knew they stood out in their chainmail and arm guards but they didn't care. Qucikly one of the serving women came up to them.

"What can I do for you?"

"We need rooms, enough for ten men and ten horses."

"The men will have no problem but your horses will have a tight fit."

"Why the horses and not the men?" Leon asked

"We have some fellas here that are taking a group of horses to their master farther north but they got stuck here cause of the rain." Arthur and Leon nodded. In no time the knights had refreshed themselves and many were enjoying what the tavern had to offer but not Arthur or Leon, no they were listening, hoping with mead running through some of the partons' blood that it might loosen their tounges. When the information didn't seem forth coming they started asking questions. One of those questions being about the lands that they were headed toward. One of patrons was quick to offer up that the two men with nine horses had come from that direction before the rain hit, and was even kind enough to point them out.

When Arthur looked toward the large fireplace he saw two men who didn't seem as inebreated as the rest of the tavern. Arthur quickly caught Leon's eye and gestured toward the two men. As they neared both Leon and Arthur noticed both men were alert but the tightness in their shoulders was barely noticable. What are they so worried about? Arthur thought, he was a little suspcious but he needed information and these men might have it.

"Gentlemen," Leon said catching the two men off guard. "May we sit? We'd like to stay away from the more rambunctious crowd if we could." The men looked to each other then nodded and gestured to the empty seats in front of them. Neither man seemed to want to talk so Leon took the initiative once again.

"Were are you two traveling to?"

"North," answered the slimmer of the two.

"Caerleon?"

"There abouts," supplied the other, stockier one. Both men were giving vauge answers but neither Leon or Arthur were getting bad feelings from them. There were men who liked to keep to themselves so both believed that they were normally like that but Arthur didn't have the time to beat around the bush so he did away with nicities.

"I heard you two came from the northwest, why didn't you just continue north instead of detouring here?"

"No road and not the safest path when it's two men and nine horses."

"Did you see anything out there?"

"What are you really asking?"

"We're looking for someone and are willing to pay for any information that might lead to their return."

"Did they run or...?"

"They were kidnapped but we are also looking for information about the woman that took her." Both men looked at each other again and in the way of people who had known each other for a long time understood each other without words.

"There was that old fortress," the slim one supplied.

"Fortress?" Both Arthur and Leon perked up.

"Yeah, about a half-a-day, day ride from here depending on your speed. It took us a day because the horses but it might take you less."

"What did you see?" Leon asked as he leaned forward.

"Not much, we steered clear when we noticed the men on the wall."

"Men?"

"Yeah, wicked looking fellows and in our business when you see a ruined fortress that's being protected by men like that it usually means bandits."

"Nah, there weren't enough of 'em for that to be a bandits' hide out," the stockier one argued. "They only had three on the wall if they'd been bandits they would've had more than three, specially with a fortress that big to defend."

Unless they had magic, both Leon and Arthur thought.

"How do we get there?" Arthur demanded, this was the best lead they had been given and he wasn't going to let it slip through his fingers.

"I'd say follow our trail but that's been washed away now with all this rain but it's not too hard. That road headed northwest just keep following that you'll reach a divide in the road but you're going to have to pay attention because the path you need to take is overgrown, maybe not so much since that's the way we came but..."

"After that?"

"Well just continue down the overgrown road, it'll take you right to it."

"Thank you," Leon offered. "Like we said we will pay."

"Aw we don't need your money but maybe you could help us out?" Leon and Arthur nodded but were weary. "We're trying to get home but with this rain the owner said that our way will be blocked because of the risen water for at least two more days. We're already behind so if you know of another path for us to get back on our way we'd greatly appreciate it." Arthur and Leon looked to each other, it wasn't an outrageous request and easily doable.

"You have a map?" Leon asked. The slim one grinned and left to grab their map. Once he returned Leon drew another way for the men to get back on the path to Caerleon. When both men got up Leon stopped them with a question.

"Why were you in that area?" Both men looked at each other then back to them.

"We thought we'd found a shorter route but as you can tell that hasn't worked out so well." Leon and Arthur nodded then a cheer went up in the tavern. The rain had stopped and Arthur finally had a lead.


Okay that was a long chapter over 10,000 words but I couldn't figure out where to stop with this one.

Sorry for the long wait but I do love reviews, I really, really do.

So Please Follow, Favorite and Review!

The next one I hope will be out in the next couple of weeks thanks for your patience! Happy Holidays!

~Midnight