In the middle of the screams of the spirits and on the cold ground that he is lying, Merlin couldn't sleep. He caught a glimpse of Morgana who was sitting in front of the fire, warming her hands. Ruadan left her side. All the Saxons were sleeping instead of the one who was guarding him. Probably he, Morgana, and Ruadan were the only ones who couldn't sleep because they were able to feel spirits' distress through magic.

What was causing them to feel such agony?

Right. Uther. Uther and Sarrum.

He wanted to talk to Morgana. To find out what she was planning with Arthur and him. She was alone. This was his chance.

'Swaefe nu' Merlin murmured and without anyone knowing his eyes turned gold and the guard watching him fell asleep. He stood up and walked towards the fire. He sat in front of Morgana. Morgana pulled her scarred wrists backward and scolded.

'You should be supposed to be guarded.'

'He fell asleep but I couldn't.'

There was an awkward silence.

Morgana huffed. 'What do you want, Merlin?'

'What are you going to do' Merlin asked directly.

'You mean with you? Actually, I am not sure.'

'No, I mean yes also that. About everything.'

'After my dear brother is taken down, I will take my rightful place as queen of Camelot, restore the peace of the Isle of the Blessed, and make the ones who had made me suffer pay. Starting with you.'

Merlin looked calm. He was used to Morgana's vengeance threats. But she was never forthcoming with her plans. Maybe it was because she was more hell-bent on making people suffer than to take the throne of Camelot.

'They didn't know, you know that.'

Morgana looked at him scolding.

'And you think it would make a difference if they knew?'

'Yes,' Merlin said determinately. 'You have every right to think whatever you think of me. But they didn't know Sarrum kept you as a prisoner for two years. They still have no idea what caused you to turn against them. Arthur blames himself.'

Another scream came from the spirits. Merlin tried to be as still as possible. He shouldn't have flinched otherwise Morgana might suspect he was more than he seemed.

'I hear the agony of the spirits, you know,' Morgana said. 'You think all of them suffered only at the hands of Uther and Sarrum? That Arthur is an innocent snowflake? I grew up with him, Merlin. I watched him when he returned to his father and sought his approval after killing a group of druids. The magic users you are so fond of.'

Merlin wondered whether it was the group of druids which one of the possessed Elyan. Maybe it was another group. Merlin shivered. He wondered how many magic users Arthur have killed.

Then he remembered Freya. No, he told to himself. Don't even go there. Arthur didn't know what he had done. He was just protecting Camelot.,

'You look pale,' Morgana observed with a mischievous grin and extended a bottle of water. 'Want some?'

Merlin gave her a slightly annoyed look. She was underlying the fact that he had poisoned her again.

'I am serious Morgana. You can't justify your actions with mine.'

'I am not. Don't exaggerate yourself, Merlin. You are not the reason why I am doing this. You are just a thorn to my side. I have a vision in which magic freed.'

'So the last time you took Camelot, was torturing knights and burning the crops of villagers part of that vision?'

Morgana made a voice that sounded like a growl. 'Enough chatter,' she snapped.

'Ruadan!'

Ruadan showed up a lot quicker than Merlin expected. A small part of him suggested he was already somewhere close, watching them.

'Take Merlin and explore the island. Try to figure out why he is supposed to be here and how to give spirits peace. You are the only one I trust to keep an eye on him.'

Merlin realized he may have an opportunity to check what Arthur is doing and left with Ruadan.

..

Merlin had two objectives.

One, find out why spirits are restless and fix it.

Two, as usual, while doing that keep Arthur's sorry backside safe. As they were walking in the ruined castle in the Isle of the Blessed, Merlin saw a sparrow. It looked like the one in Ygraine Pendragon's sigil which Arthur gave to him. Why was he thinking about that now? First, he must keep Arthur safe. He was the main priority.

'I want to check on Arthur. Is there a place where I can do that?'

Ruadan seemed displeased by the question.

'All Morgana is thinking of is killing the king while all you are thinking about is protecting him! None of you cares about the imbalance of this place.' Ruadan almost yelled.

'I will find a solution. But I can't focus on that knowing Arthur is going to a trap.'

'Why would I help you kill my troops' Ruadan questioned?

'Then I won't kill them. I will just stop them before they kill Arthur. Please Ruadan, you said you will spare his life just this once.'

After considering a few seconds Ruadan led the way. 'Come with me.'

They went downstairs. Merlin began to feel agitated, it was like there was some sort of presence following them. They arrived at an empty place that had Neahathid crystals were placed in the middle. The ground was filled with huge wines. Merlin tried to walk carefully to not trip to over.

He looked at the crystal. He could see his reflection as well as Ruadan's. But then there was someone else. As Merlin saw Morgause's blond hair and scarred face he gasped and nearly fell backward.

'What is it,' Ruadan asked.

'I saw Morgana's sister.'

'She must be the last person who's used it.' Merlin hesitated to look at it again. He did not move. 'She looked different'

'She is dead now, she can't harm you.'

This time, Merlin focused on only Arthur and Morgause didn't show up.

.

Arthur and the knights were chasing the flying neckerchief. In other circumstances, Merlin would find a scene in which the knights of Camelot and the king running after his neckerchief funny.

'It is too fast' Gwaine yelled as the neckerchief slipped from his fingers.

'Let it go, Sir Gwaine' Arthur ordered. 'And don't raise your voice.'

'We are at the Sea of Meredor,' Leon declared.

'They are going to the Isle of the Blessed. ' Arthur said in realization.

Elyan looked ahead 'There is a smoke coming from the shore.'

'Morgana must have left some of her troops to set a trap for us.'

'Then we take them down,' Gwaine said determinately as he reached to his sword. Arthur was almost going to stop him to make a plan but one of the Saxons noticed them.

'They are here!'

The knights prepared themselves for the attack. 'The neckerchief must have gone towards them, they were expecting us,' said Arthur.

Merlin was watching the entire event. Saxons had the numbers but the knights were more talented. They were winning even when they were fighting against one on three.

That was until some of them threw something like small balls to the ground. They exploded. And released some sort of gas. NOT GOOD.

That was Merlin's cue. He mumbled magical words and his eyes turned gold. The wind changed direction and the gas flew towards the Saxons, knocking them out.

Arthur was shocked but he recovered from it very quickly.

'Well, let's keep going.'

Merlin smiled. Arthur was safe. At least for now. And he hadn't killed anyone so he kept his word to Ruadan.

'Now we can focus on restoring the spirits' peace.'

They needed to return to Morgana's side now. Ruadan couldn't help but ask.

'For how long have you been using magic to save Arthur?'

'For a long time,' Merlin answered.

He didn't want to give any details, Ruadan was helping him now but after all, this is over he was going to continue to work for Morgana and lot against Arthur. But to his surprised, the man asked something unexpected.

'Were you and Morgana friends when she was in court?'

Were they, Merlin thought. The memories rushed into Merlin's mind.

I know her, she has a good heart.

Good to have you back.

I was worried about you.

You are a good friend.

'Yeah,' Merlin finally answered. It almost came in the form of a whisper. 'We were.'

Ruadan was about to say something but he swallowed all of his words when Morgana showed up in an accusing manner. Her cold green eyes were inspecting both Merlin and Ruadan.

'Finally. What were you two up to?'

.

Merlin returned to the place he was supposed to sleep, Morgana eyed Ruadan with a questioning look.

'Is there something bothering you, Morgana?'

'You are getting attached to him. You are my right-hand man and somehow Merlin manages to soften you.'

'Morgana you ordered me to guard the boy.'

'Yes but Merlin is talented at softening people. I see that he is affecting you the same way he has affected Arthur.'

'Is his influence on Arthur that great?'

Morgana huffed. ' I hate to admit that it is. I remember Agravaine complaining about that multiple times. Guinevere was untouchable the time she was considered Arthur's fiancée. But he suggested killing Merlin several times and he could have done it if I hadn't told him it would draw unnecessary suspicion.'

'You sound like you didn't want him to be killed.'

Morgana lifted her one eyebrow.

'If it comes to that, I would prefer to be one to kill him.'

'Is that because he is an obstacle for you or because of the pain he inflicted on you?

'Excuse you?'

'I know you were friends with him, is that why…'

'Is that what he told you,' Morgana gave a small and fake laugh. 'That we were friends? I assure you, Merlin is insignificant to me. He had a choice and he picked Arthur. Now he must face the consequences. I suggest you not get too attached to him.'

.

Merlin

Merlin

'No, no, no' Merlin thought. He knew that voice. Why the hell she was calling for him?

He remembered the last words he heard from her.

I have a feeling I will not be seeing you again.

How ironic.

Merlin opened his eyes. Everybody was sleeping. Trying to not make a sound, Merlin walked among sleeping soldiers. When he was thinking which way to go, the voice called out to him again.

This way.

Scorches got lighted with magic. Merlin wasn't very keen on going there since the last time he saw her, he nearly got killed. Merlin walked down the stairs and saw the dead blond-haired sorceress waiting for him.

'Long time no see,' Morgause said with a smile on her face. 'Warlock.'

Hey! Finally finished the chapter! I had fun mentioning Agravaine. I was one of the few people who loved the character. Also, I was a little annoyed that we didn't see enough rivalry between him and Merlin in S4. There were both Arthur's councils but he and Morgana only cared about taking down Gwen. I never understood why Morgana only focused on taking Gwen out of the picture and forgot about Merlin. I mean seriously, the man defeated an immortal army but Morgana couldn't care any less.