"I'm going to kill that idiot. How dare him to lie to me that way.." Morgana could hardly control her fury. She struggled to find the best words, but there were none suitable enough to help her express what she felt inside. There was no curse to make her feel satisfied. She really meant it when she said that she wanted him dead. The witch wanted to kick, punch, slap, scratch, destroy him. Though, she felt that nothing would hurt him badly enough.
Without thinking about consequences, Morgana crossed the huge corridor that leaded to his chambers. Never did his chambered seemed farther. The poor salamander tried her best not to fall as the witch hurried to his room. It could not even think about saying a word.
"Wait." The salamander called as Morgana was about to open the door and she wouldn't do it gently. "What are you going to do?" Morgana was decided to ignore her friend and she entered the chambers even if deep down she knew that it was stupid. "Then what?" The salamander went on. "Do you really think it will make you feel better? Do you really think that your life will be any better after that? What about the second chance? What about everything we've decided?"
"I don't care." She threw at it.
"But I do. Please, wait until morning. Think a bit. If you feel the same, then you'll be able to keep going with your great plan tomorrow. Just a night. For me." The salamander tried to reason with the witch. Morgana didn't look convinced, but her friend watched her with such wet, bright eyes that Morgana suddenly felt calmer. She cast a glance towards Merlin's bed. He was probably sleeping.
"Fine." She added on a harsh tone, although she knew that the salamander deserved the best, not her fury. Together they rushed towards the common room. She only stopped when she heard some of the soldiers muttering something. She threw a dagger look at them. Then she left the room on as if nothing would have happened.
The soldiers were confused. Obviously, people shouldn't have gone in and out of king's chambers whenever they felt like. However, the king didn't seem to have a problem with it. In fact, the king was capable enough to deal with attackers and thieves by himself, even much more capable than they were. As a result they decided to let go as they noticed the witch rushing out of his chambers.
In the morning, the king's young servant came to bring his breakfast. At first, Merlin had refused that practice of having a servant, but as he usually forgotten to take care of himself due to the bulk of papers that needed to be read, due to numerous meetings he had to attend and due to the fact that during his walk towards the kitchen he would usually ended up visiting another place as the simple presence of the king would gave the opportunity to any peasant or noble to expose they problems. Then, he had started to realize that he needed someone to help him and that boy was exactly what he had needed at the time. Will reminded the king so much of himself as he'd first put his foot inside Camelot. However, the king was careful not to overwork the boy or to be rude with him. After all, Merlin knew pretty well what it felt to be a servant (even if sometime, Merlin would rather rub the floor than try to find an inexistent solution to an overcomplicated problem).
Will was shock to realize that the king was still in bed. He'd never woken up the king. Every time he'd entered the king's chambers Merlin was already up and ready to work. The boy stood in the middle of the room unable to decide what to do next. He stood there for several minutes before he dared to speak. Though, his attempts were fruitless. Then, he decided to pull over the curtains, hoping that the sun would awake Merlin. It didn't work, though. Yet, as Will come closer he finally noticed that the king's white sheets were red with blood.
Morgana had only woken up some moments ago. She hadn't slept well at all, but the silence of the night had helped her to put some order to her thoughts. She was still furious, yet she didn't want to kill Merlin anymore. She realized that it was stupid. Hard as it was for her to admit, she had also realized that she may be to blame as well. What he'd done to her was unforgivable. He'd hurt her more than anyone had ever managed to. Though, despite of everything, he'd brought her to the castle, he'd given her a second chance. For the first time the witch was aware how powerful he was and that frightened and brought her relief at the same time. The world he'd managed to create was so wonderful. People were finally free, magic was around and yet he hadn't had to kill a single soul to achieve it.
She couldn't help laughing as she remembered the last night conversation with him. Even if he hadn't welcomed her ambitions, he had actually suggested her that she may have a change of becoming queen…of becoming his wife. What touched her was not her opportunity of finally becoming a queen, but the fact that he was willing to forgive her, to welcome her in his country, in his life, maybe to love her…
It was still early in the morning. The common room was still full of people as they were still preparing for the day. None would expect the soldiers, least of all Morgana. She felt her blood freezing in her veins as they came towards her, all of them cold and serious.
They marched inside the room not bothering to pay attention to anyone. They only stopped in front of Morgana and before she had time to say a thing they two of them took her by her arms and dragged her out of the common room. None bother to explain why.
She was soon taken to a huge room. They had to pass many corridors and climb down stairs after stairs before she was finally there. The only face she recognized from that room was Mordred's. She supposed that the rest of them must be nobles as their posture and their outfit gave them away. They were as cold and bitter as the soldier that had brought her there had been. Morgana tried to find the reason why she was there, but she found no answer. She hoped that Merlin would be there as well, yet her glance didn't meet his. Finally the doors opened and a huge dragon stepped inside. He was as gloomy and intimidating as everyone else if not more. He did not resemble Aithusa at all. She was sweet and lovely. Morgana patted her little salamander to calm it down. The poor thing. It had been taken with her.
"Morgana Pendragon." The Great Dragon spoke on a cold tone. He was just in front of her and the witch was aware that he only needed to make a single step towards her and she would end under his sharp claws. "You've been accused of attempting to kill the king." Morgana was speechless. She watched the dragon as she would expect him to be crazy. She still expected that Merlin would come and tell her that he was joking with her; that he wanted to scare her. "You've been seen entering his chamber last night. Were you are or weren't you to the king's chambers last night?"
"I was, but…." She tried to speak.
"What possibly would someone like you do there?" The Great Dragon went on.
"This is madness. Ask Merlin if you really want to know." She still hoped that he would save her, but all her hopes were gone as one of the lords muttered:
"Doesn't it cross your mind that if the king would be able to tell as what had happened, we would have known? The king was attacked last night and the only person that had been to his chamber was you. Moreover, one of the soldiers that were on duty last night declared that he had heard you uttering that you would kill him. The king was found unconscious and he had several nasty wounds on his body. Don't you find it a bit strange?"
"But it wasn't me." She cried.
"Can you prove it?" The Great Dragon challenged her. She had never felt more powerless in her life.
"No". She muttered and she was shocked that her body had found the energy to make that word audible. The Great Dragon watched her mercilessly. She looked around the room, hoping to find a bit of compassion, but no one seemed to believe her.
"Mordred" She begged the young knight to save her.
"Do you know that he went against the entire council so you wouldn't be judged and executed for your actions? He wanted to give you a second chance. I believe him at the time. Now, I wondered if I ever known you at all. You've brought that upon yourself."
"Will I be executed?" It was all she could say. It was clear that no one would believe her even if she was telling the truth.
"I don't know. Right now your life depends upon the king's. If he dies, you will be judged according to the law and punished."
"..for crime" Morgana added.
"Sorry?!…" The Dragon asked.
"I will be punished for crime. So, executed."
"Yes." He spoke without any sparkle of regret. "If the king recovers, he will decide your destiny."
"Let me try to heal him." She suggested. "I used to be good at healing spells."
"Do you intend to say that we are incapable to heal him?" He was now furious.
"No, No….I just…"
"Take her to the dungeons." The Dragon ordered and soon she was dragged out of the room and taken towards the coldest and darkest corners of the castle.