Warnings: Violence, sexual content, adult situations and more- deal with it. There is more to come.

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, or any of the characters. If I did there would be a season six, seven, eight, and so on, and a movie, of course.

Spoilers: Possibly.

A/N: i know its been a long time since i posted anything. life got a hold of me and its teeth were sharper than ever. Bad news... we have just entered an alternate reality. We now have a jester for president. :'( But there is good news. We made it to another year and already we are witnessing history. The D.C woman's march was amazing. I love the hats! The signs! It was fantastic!

A/N: Please Review and be kind. ;) Sorry for any errors, it becomes difficult after editing it so many times. It becomes a lot like a word repeated over and over again until it no longer makes any sense... Okay. So the story is getting darker. Sorry. Can't help it. I like the dark sexy stuff. It will most likely get more intense.

Come on people give me some love and review. 3

Chapter 28

Imperfect Moral Compass

Merlin listened to the coin size raindrops pound the earth. The sheer power and noise of the rain, like a waterfall pouring from the skies overshadowed Arthur's footsteps in a unsettling symphony. It was as if this storm was the beginning of erasing Arthur from history. He let the orb of light fade away as the sun began to peek through the morning twilight. He sighed. There was no way would he make it back to Morgana's camp before anyone noticed that he, or the prisoners, were missing. It was kinda obvious that Merlin helped them escape.

Merlin felt terrifyingly numb, both emotionally and morally. It was difficult to distinguish between right and wrong when it came to Albion and Arthur's safety. He has done horrifying things. He's lied and stolen, bribed and killed all in the name of a King and a hope of a better future. Still Merlin felt terrible for all he has done and would continue to do. It was his harsh reality and he wouldn't give this job to anyone. This tragic life was his and his alone. Not even Arthur, The Once and Future King, could understand Merlin's pain.

How do you walk your best friend knowingly to his death? Even when Merlin's moral compass was defective, when it came to Arthur, Merlin still responded with panic, dread and a need to keep him safe and unscathed. Unfortunately, thanks to the crystal caves, Merlin felt that no matter what he did or changed he will always end up in the same nightmare. He shook his head forcefully shoving his thoughts aside. They shoved back. Harder. Louder. More aggressive. Burning him up inside with dread.

Merlin felt a better after resting. Not fully healed but tending to his wounds and his magic attempting to heal him helped immensely. Still, that small part of him in the back of his mind where his magic couldn't heal was an issue. Physically Merlin was fine. Mentally he was focused, angry and descending into a black whole that could get Arthur, himself or all of Camelot killed and he hoped to avoid all three.

No pressure, Merlin grumbled. He didn't want to leave the cave. It was cold, damp and dark but it felt more like home than anywhere he has been these last few weeks. He knew why. He felt at peace with Arthur so close. Merlin's mind was more exhausted than his body was raw and the thought of leaving Arthur and returning to Morgana churned his stomach uncomfortably. He had this strange feeling in the pit of his stomach, like when your swimming and you want to put your feet on something solid, but the water's deeper than you thought and there nothing there... Merlin felt lost in a sea of darkness without an anchor because he was leaving his anchor behind. Arthur.

Merlin felt the air behind him stir in anxious anticipation. Something hostile lurked in the darkness. Silently watching. Merlin looked behind him squinting into the blackness around him. He could almost see Ranoue silently observing him. He stood in the shadows off to the side of the cavern Arthur disappeared through. Merlin grit his teeth and casually turned away as if he hadn't notice him malingering in the shadows.

Ranoue was an idiot if he thought he could get away with such a bold move. He must know that he wouldn't succeed and if he did somehow manage to kill Merlin Arthur would know and wouldn't be to pleased by it. Either way Ranoue's life would be forfeit to one of them, which honestly didn't bother Merlin very much at the moment, and it didn't seem to bother Ranoue at all.

After a moments contemplation Merlin marched out into the rain. He knew Ranoue wouldn't be able to resist following him and there wasn't anything Merlin could do to discourage him from his vendetta, only take the coming confrontation away from Arthur's intervention.

It was cold at first, the rain soaking him in a matter of seconds. Soon Merlin became numb to the rhythmically pounding of the raindrops assaulting him as he made his way back to Morgana's camp taking heed not to jar his already sore body by slipping on the muddy foliage while at the same time keeping a good pace and not lingering. Ranoue will make himself known when he is ready.

Ranoue watched Merlin disappear into the storm. The rain sounded like thunder and it had him feeling claustrophobic. The noise invaded his ears and swallowed up any other sound. Ranoue started after him being sure he didn't loose him. It was difficult to see Merlin making his way through the trees and impossible to hear the Warlocks footsteps sloshing through the foliage. He doubted would get another chance like this. Ranoue picked up the pace. He heeded every step wary of the muddy ground and puddles of water that formed within the roots of trees and uneven land every few feet. He slipped a few times like a new born baby fawn but Merlin didn't miss a single step. It was eerie if Ranoue was being honest. It was akin to when Merlin walked the halls of Camelot alone and he almost seemed to glide over the stone walkways when he thought he wasn't being watched. That clumsy servant disappeared right before Ranoue's eyes and there in the his place was Lord Emrys, King of the Druids confidently walking along. The man who could have saved his village but instead hid behind a tyrant King and his son.

Merlin allowed himself to be followed as he wound his way through the trees and bushes for just under an hour. The rain started to lighten as did the sky making it known that Morgana's camp was up and active. Merlin slowed to a stop and looked behind him to a corps of trees. He knew Ranoue was still there waiting for the proper moment to strike. He didn't think it wise to stop now knowing Morgana was most likely up and seething with rage at Merlin's stunt but he didn't want to bring this confrontation any closer to Morgana or Mordred. He wanted to avoid them getting their claws in him again. However that wouldn't stop Merlin from beating some sense into the Kid.

It took Ranoue longer than it should have to notice that Merlin had stopped and that the warlocks eyes were trained on the trees that gave him shelter. Ranoue immediately froze and pressed himself to the nearest tree. A stroke of fear he hadn't expected rocketed through him. Ranoue never feared the seemingly scrawny servant before, but the look on Merlin's face right then was not the Merlin he knew back in Camelot, hell even at Morgana's camp. Merlin's hands were motionless at his sides but he was scanning the forest with a steel intensity that Ranoue had seen before. Only on opposing knights bent on killing him. Ranoue would bet Arthur didn't even know what Merlin was capable of.

There was a long silence as Ranoue hid behind a tree watching Merlin search the darkness. Ranoue used this moment to try to even out his breathing and keep the white clouds of his breath from giving him away.

Merlin just stood there still as ever, waiting. Watching. His eyes peered right at Ranoue looking straight through the trees he hid behind. Ranoue sucked in his breath and held it waiting to see what Merlin was going to do next.

"I know your there, Ranoue." Merlin asked dangerously low.

It was his voice. Merlin's voice but for some reason it sent chills down Ranoue spine. He sounded more confident, commanding and... forbidding. All qualities that Merlin hadn't shown at least to Ranoue and the Knights. Qualities Arthur probably didn't know about, or hadn't thought he possessed.

Did Arthur even know that Merlin was a murderer? That Merlin, or Emrys rather, was the cause of this war? Morgana wants Camelot yes, but Emrys... she would burn the very kingdom she fought so hard to conquer to the ground just to get to him and that is what made Merlin so dangerous. A liability really to the Kingdom, the future and to the magical and non-magical people alike. Morgana wanted him so Ranoue would kill him and take away her play toy.

Merlin waited a few more moments before he addressed the lurking shadow behind the corpse of trees.

"There is no point in continuing to hide." Merlin sighed.

He hesitated a moment before he reluctantly came out of his hiding place. They didn't offer him much shelter anyways. "Emrys." Ranoue greeted stiffly,.

They glared at each other. Ranoue unwilling to speak first. Merlin didn't have time for games. Morgana would be up by now, if she wasn't up already. He needed to get away from Arthur before she sent someone to fetch him. Merlin kept repeating this like a mantra. It drove his nerves wild and set him on edge.

"Why are you following me?" Merlin demanded coarsely breaking the tense silence. Ranoue was pushing Merlin's buttons and he realized that he really didn't want to kill one of Arthur's knights. He was going to need the extra sword to get him to Camelots amassing army. However, Merlin wasn't feeling particularly forgiving at the moment. His fucked up moral compass was spinning and spinning showing no signs of slowing. He didn't want to kill Ranoue. He didn't, but he wouldn't feel particularly bad about it either.

"You forgot something." Ranoue smiled, and the rain evened out into a mist signaling the coming snow. As if Ranoue's cold fury could change the tide. Ranoue pulled something out from behind his back. The blade glinted dully in the coming dawn. Dried blood still on the blade.

"I see." Merlin murmured. Ranoue took a step to the side as if assessing the best way to attack. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Merlin asked, he shifted his stance just the slightest not allowing Ranoue to circle around behind him. But each lap Ranoue took brought him closer and closer to Merlin. So close that if Ranoue struck out now the blade would easily slid into Merlin's ribs.

Ranoue didn't answer. Didn't say a word. He just stared at Merlin with his eerily dark eyes. Then without warming he lashed out driving the blade towards Merlin's neck. Merlin expected a move like that and easily deflected the blade with his right hand while at the same time he drove his left into the junction between Ranoue's armpit and shoulder, and then a quick hit to the side of Ranoue's head with his elbow. Stunned Ranoue dropped the dagger and stumbled back. He tripped over the root of a tree and fell down. He landed hard.

Merlin towered over Ranoue. The knife Ranoue had now in Merlin's hand. He tosses the blade to Ranoue's feet and looked at him sadly. "I told you if you jeopardized Arthur's life I would kill you." Merlin reminded gently.

"How have I put the Kings life in danger? You put him in danger by just being alive." Ranoue spat.

"By attempting to kill me you take Arthur's main protection away."

"How's that?" Ranoue demanded. "Your leaving him anyway, and of your own free will."

"I have no choice." Merlin snapped. "But you are duty bound to keep all of Camelots people safe, not kill them, and I am apart of Camelots people."

"No!" Ranoue barked. "Your a rotten leader who rather hide behind Camelots King than fight for your people." Ranoue sneered. "You're a traitor!"

"Maybe I am." Merlin yelled back. "All I know is that I did what I had to do." He said softer.

Ranoue scoffed. "All bow down to Emrys." He laughed. "King of the Druids." Ranoue smiled and bowed mockingly at him.

Merlin tensed. This was ridiculous. Why was he even trying to reason with him. Ranoue wanted Emrys dead and Merlin was Emrys. It didn't matter that they used to be good acquaintances or even friends because when it came down to it Merlin had a job to do and Ranoue had a vendetta.

"Having some trouble, Merlin?" Mordred said coming out from the shadows. Both Merlin and Ranoue turned to see Mordred standing there with laughing eyes. "I know from experience what a challenge my brother can be." He paused. "Tenacious."

"What are you doing here?" Merlin demanded. He hid his unease as well as he could.

"Morgana sent us." Mordred said.

"Us..." Merlin asked suddenly looking around. "Who did you bring with you?"

Mordred just smiled.

"The Giant?" Merlin murmured.

Mordred nodded seemingly please with himself, when in fact he felt sick to his stomach.

Merlin paled a few shades. Oh, god. The Giant was a monstrous mountain of a man. A blood hound for Morgana who always caught his pray. If he wasn't here with Mordred...he was hunting for the lost prisoners and Arthur was with them. Merlin turned away from Mordred and back to Ranoue

"Run." Merlin commanded.

"What?" Ranoue grabbed the dagger at his feet and stood up. "Why?"

"Go find Arthur. Now." Merlin ordered. "Keep him safe." Merlin pressed. Trying his best to convey with his eyes that Ranoue will get another shot at him but right now he needed to find Arthur. "Go." He pleaded.

"By all means brother go save your King." Mordred sneered. His stomach twisted. It was almost a certainty that his brother would die tonight if he went all hero. Still, his hatred won over his doubt and he urged Ranoue on. "Go on. See if you can get there before Theron the ruthless Giant does."

Ranoue looked at him a long moment, and then at Merlin before he nodded, turned on his heel and ran off to find the King.

Merlin watched Mordred walk towards him. He stopped just in front of him. They watched each other. Assessing. Silent. On guard. The trees moaned and the wind howled just as a gust of snow drifted down from the heavens.

"Morgana isn't happy with you." Mordred broke the fragile peace.

Merlin smirked. "She wouldn't be."

"Its different this time Merlin." Mordred confessed. His chest burned when he tried to hold back. Merlin's magic it swirled inside of him like an inferno consuming the dark magic Mordred embraced. Slowly it disappeared but the fingerprints Merlin's magic left behind clawed at him. He was fighting it as much as he could but in saving his dark magic he couldn't hold in Morgana's secrets. He wanted to tell Merlin the truth, and he hated it.

"How is it different?" Merlin challenged. "She's loosing herself, me and this war and she knows it. She has nothing to hold on me anymore."

"Merlin." Mordred interrupted. "She has everything she needs to get you to obey her."

"Like what?" Merlin scoffed. "All I have left is my life. Does she wish me to give that up as well? More than I already have?"

"Merlin..."Mordred hesitated.

"Well, spit it out." Merlin snapped.

Mordred's spin snapped straight. He glared at Merlin. His hatred and anger spiked and crushed the reminisce of Merlin's magic into dust. "Figure it out yourself." Mordred said bitterly. He turned on his heel and disappeared into the darkness.

Merlin looked back at the way Ranoue had gone. Please, please get to them in time. If he didn't it would be up to James, Darrin and their magic to keep the Once and Future King Safe. He had to leave it in their hands. Merlin couldn't be there to save Arthur this time. He had a witch to confront.