Arthur turned to Merlin when he came in. They shared a look and Arthur turned back to the window.
"You know what this means."
Arthur didn't respond.
"We're going to have to tell her."
"We can't, but we are going to have to do something."
"Father."
Uther nodded to his son as he came up to his side. "Ah, Arthur. Have you begun making the arrests?"
"Actually, about that. I went to speak to the guards about setting up the arrests and discovered a few of them saw the incident. It would seem it was a matter of nature after all."
Uther gave his son his full attention. "You're certain."
"The guards reported seeing lightning strike her window during the storm, causing it to break. Then the fire started right after. They would have reported it sooner, but they assumed we had already been informed. I made sure they were aware to inform their superiors immediately next time something like this occurs."
"Good, good. That is a relief."
"Should I still conduct the arrests?"
Uther hummed, turning back to continue on his way as he thought. "No, if Morgana wasn't attacked, then we can continue the investigations. Make sure Morgana and the rest of the court are informed that it was simply an act of nature and not an attack."
"Of course, father." Arthur bowed his head, then left to do as he was told.
Arthur smirked as he blocked Merlin's blow. "Did Morgana like her flowers?"
The warlock faltered and he got a hit in.
"Flowers?" Merlin asked a moment later, rubbing at his side.
"You really should learn that you can't hide anything from me."
"I wasn't trying to hide them. I mean, I was. Just, erm, I didn't want you to get the wrong impression." When Arthur opened his mouth to comment, Merlin quickly added, "How did it go with your father?"
The prince smirked, but allowed the change of subject as they started to spar again. "Exactly as planned."
"That's great, but you know we're going to have to do something soon. She set her room on fire. If she hasn't started to suspect magic yet, it won't be long. Maybe I shou-"
"No." Arthur stepped back. "Whatever happens, you're staying out of it."
"Morgana's my friend too!" he huffed, feinting to the right. Arthur saw it coming, but allowed it.
"Merlin, we have no idea how she will react - to her magic or yours. Until we know, we can't reveal your powers to her. You know how confrontational she can be with my father."
"But I could help her control her magic," Merlin said, trying another feint though this time Arthur used it to disarm him.
"We can consider that once we're sure she's not going to immediately go blow up at my father. Or worse, try to kill him again."
Merlin tried to argue again, but Arthur sent him a look. "Fine. We're still going to have to do something."
"When it comes to it, I'll talk to her."
"It's magic, Merlin."
Merlin's mouth opened, but nothing came out for a moment, two. "What?"
"I'm your friend, you know I wouldn't make this up."
"Of course."
"Then you believe me? You think it's magic too. Please, Merlin, I just need to hear someone say it so I don't have to keep feeling like I'm imagining it."
Merlin nodded, glancing away, then turning to her with a determined expression. "Do you trust me?"
"Of course."
"Then come with me."
She was confused, but took his arm and let him lead her out of Gaius's chambers.
He brought her through the castle, carefully avoiding the guards.
She froze as they reached Arthur's chambers. "Merlin?"
"It's okay," he said, guiding her inside and shutting the door. He smiled at her, then snuck over to Arthur's bedside. He carefully picked up a pillow, then smacked it onto Arthur's head.
She felt a smile tugging at her lips as the prince jerked upwards drunkenly.
"Wha's' at? Who's there?" he slurred, stumbling up to his knees and grabbing at the sword kept at his bedside. Just as his hand landed on the hilt, his eyes landed on the manservant slowly backing away with a pillow half-covering his face. "Merlin!"
"Sire?" Merlin questioned innocently and despite herself, the smile overwhelmed Morgana.
"How many times have I told -"
"I stand by the fact that that is the safest way to wake you in a hurry." Merlin held the pillow slightly higher.
"Stand by this," Arthur snapped, grabbing a jug off his bedside table.
Merlin, clearly used to this response, was ducking before the jug had left Arthur's hand, hidden behind his pillow. Morgana, not so used to it, barely managed to step to the side so the jug hit the wall instead of her.
Arthur blinked stupidly at her before turning to Merlin.
They shared a look before Arthur sighed and got up. "Well, don't just stand there, Merlin. Build up the fire then fetch us something to eat."
Merlin rolled his eyes, but went over to the fire as Arthur grabbed a shirt off his changing screen. The boy grabbed a chair and pulled it over to the fire then left after giving Morgana an encouraging smile.
"So," Arthur said, pulling on the shirt, "what's got Merlin all in a tizzy?"
All of Morgana's amusement fled her. "It's nothing. I'm sorry he woke you."
"Merlin's an idiot, but he usually knows better than to bother me in the middle of the night for nothing." Arthur grabbed another chair and pulled it to the fire. He sat down, then gestured towards the one Merlin had grabbed. "Usually at least. Come on, you can talk to me. Was it another one of your nightmares?"
"Would you believe me if it was?"
"Morgana."
She hesitantly sat down, but shook her head. "It's nothing, really. I just had a nightmare, a real one. I went to Gaius for a potion, but he wasn't there. I think I… I made Merlin nervous with my ramblings. Usually, Gwen is the only one who has to deal with me like that. I was upset, but I'm fine now. I'll just g-"
"Morgana," Arthur grabbed her hand as she started to stand, "it's fine. At least stay until Merlin gets back with the treats. He always brings too much like he thinks I'll give him some if I don't finish them."
"You could always just give him some," she pointed out, but he just snorted and shook his head.
"So, what did you say?"
"I… I said I thought I had magic," Morgana said quietly before waving her hand. "As I said, I was just -"
"Morgana, it's okay. I know."
Morgana opened her mouth.
"I know about your magic."
Morgana choked. "I don't have -" Morgana surged to her feet. "This is ridiculous! How could you even think -"
"'Gana, calm down," Arthur huffed, jumping to his feet and glancing at the door. He set his hands on her shoulders. "I told you, I know already. I've known for awhile actually. You're dreams, they're magic too. I hoped that was it, for your sake, but I knew there was a chance you might have… more."
"You… You what?" Morgana whispered. She dropped into her chair. "You know. Knew. Why didn't you say something?"
"Why didn't you want to tell me?" Arthur said, sitting back down. He gestured towards the door. "My father…" he trailed off.
"Your father," Morgana scoffed.
Arthur turned to the fire with that pinched look he always got when he was trying to understand feelings.
The door squeaked open and Merlin peaked in. "Should I come in?" he fake whispered.
Arthur rolled his eyes and waved him in.
Morgana squirmed as he came over with a tray of mulled wine and honey tarts.
"Does he know?" she asked.
Arthur nodded. "I told him not to say anything. To let me deal with it."
"For the record, I told him to tell you earlier."
Arthur shot him a glare and Morgana relaxed slightly.
"You really aren't going to say anything?" she asked before taking a goblet and downing half the wine.
Arthur glanced at Merlin then focused on her. "I've started to see that father might not be completely right about magic. It can be dangerous, but it doesn't have to be. It just has to be used responsibly, like any power."
She flinched. "My power, it's dangerous. I can't control it."
"You just need to learn how to."
"And how do you expect me to do that in Camelot?"
Arthur met Merlin's gaze again for a moment. "I don't know," he turned back to her, "but I'll figure something out. I've got a few connections."
Morgana raised an eyebrow, but his face stayed serious. "You have connections."
"Yes."
Morgana gaped, then quickly composed herself. "Right." She set the unfinished goblet back on Merlin's tray. "I think I've had enough excitement for one night. Goodnight Arthur, Merlin."
"Morgana -"
"Good-NIGHT Arthur, Merlin," she said, pushing through the door.
"Goodnight Morgana," she heard Merlin call just before the door shut.
The lady kept her composure until she had made it back to her room, then slumped against the wall.
Magic. She had magic!
And Arthur knew!
And was going to help her?
She snorted and shook her head. How would Arthur be able to help her with magic?
Forridel froze, listening to her heartbeat.
As a few moments passed, she relaxed. She told her herself that she was imagining things and continued readying for bed.
Someone knocked on her door again.
Frowning, she grabbed the sword hidden near the door.
"Who's there?"
"A friend."
"Don't have many friends that would visit in the middle of the night. Don't have many friends period."
She jumped away as the door unlocked itself. She raised her blade as it swung open to admit a tall, slender figure hidden beneath a cloak.
They - or he, judging by the voice - raised pale hands. "I mean you no harm." He came inside and shut the door.
"Forgive me if I don't believe someone who'd barge into my home."
"Sorry, but I need your help. I need to find the druids."
"I wouldn't know anything about them," she snapped, stepping closer.
The man ignored the blade nearing his neck. "You don't need to lie to me."
"I'm not -" she cut off as the man raised his hand and a small flame appeared atop it.
"As I said, I'm a friend." She could hear the smile in his voice.
She studied him for a moment, then lowered the sword. "Who are you?"
He tugged his hood down closer to his face with his free hand. "I can't tell you. I'm sorry, but it's safer for us both this way."
She hummed. "Why do you want to know where the druids are?"
"I need their help."
She watched him for a moment. "Alright, not many who can carry fire in their palm would wish ill on the druids. One second."
She grabbed a piece of paper and charcoal and drew up a crude map. "Here, you'll be able to find them here, in the Forest of Ascetir." She shrugged as he looked over the map. "It's the best I can do."
"It'll be fine. Thank you." He rolled up the map and it disappeared into his cloak. "In return, you should beware, Uther suspects your connection to the druids."
Forridel paled. "How do you know?"
His head tilted to the side and she got the faintest glimpse of a smile. "I've got friends in high places. Be careful, please."
She nodded and he nodded back before leaving without a word, disappearing into the night.
"Oh, hello, Your Highness," Guinevere said when she answered the door for Morgana, giving a curtsey, and Arthur smiled at her.
"Gwen was just about to fetch me lunch," Morgana explained, tying off her braid. "Should she fetch some for you as well?"
"That's alright. I'm on my way to lunch with Leon. I just needed to talk to you for a moment."
Guinevere glanced between them knowingly and stepped through the doorway. "I'll just be off then."
"Thank you, Gwen."
"Thank you, Guinevere."
She nodded and closed the door.
"So why are you bothering me now?" Morgana asked, putting away her brushes.
"I've found them." He pulled the map Merlin had gotten - with his own additions to make it actually legible - out of his jacket.
"Them?"
He unfurled the map on her vanity for her to see. "The druids. They're in the Forest of Ascetir."
"Really?" she leaned over to study it. "How did you get this?"
"I told you I have connections. It should be a short ride. If we leave in the morning, we should have a good few hours before we'll need to head back."
"We?" she looked up at him with narrowed eyes.
"You know Father won't let you go out alone. The best chance you have to go without him sending a squad of guards to protect you is if we tell him we're going on a ride together, just the two of us."
She snorted and crossed her arms. "The druids will never talk to me if you're there."
He thought about what Merlin had said about the druids' attitude towards him and Arthur and nearly snorted. "Father will never let you go alone and we can't trust anyone else. It will be fine, I promise."
She looked down at the map, her eyes dancing over it. After a moment, she said, "Alright."
He nodded and took the map. "I'll tell Merlin to prepare lunch for us and have the horses ready."
She gave him a look. "Gwen can take care of lunch. Merlin doesn't need to do all of it."
"It's fine," he said as he headed out. "Merlin likes it."
"You're an ass."
"Merlin!"
The warlock smiled when he saw Gwen running towards him. "Morning. Did you get the lunch all packed? I can ta- Gwen, what's wrong?" he asked, spotting the worry on her face as she drew near.
"Morgana, she's gone," she panted.
"What?"
"I went to wake her this morning and her room was empty and her bed hadn't been slept in."
"She's going on her own," Merlin whispered.
Gwen nodded. "We need to tell Arthur. The guards know she's gone. When Uther finds out…"
"Let's go!"
The two raced to Arthur's chambers as fast as they could, but the warning bells were already ringing by the time they got there.
"Arthur!" Merlin shouted as he pushed through the doors.
"What did you do?" the prince huffed, already on his feet.
Merlin gave him an offended expression and Gwen pushed past him. "It's Morgana. She -" She cut off with a blush and spun around when she realized Arthur was still pulling on his pants. "She's gone, disappeared in the night."
Arthur cursed and yelled at Merlin to help him. As his servant dropped the breakfast tray on the table and dug into his wardrobe, he said, "I should have realized she gave in too easily."
A knock sounded alongside a call for Arthur.
"Come in," he answered as Merlin finished with his shirt.
Leon gave Gwen a confused look as he came in before focusing on his prince.
"Gwen was telling me what she knows about Morgana's disappearance," Arthur explained. "Are the guards searching the castle?"
"They are, but a horse is missing from the royal stables and a guard spotted a woman riding out the eastern gate late last night."
"Let's hope she just snuck out for a night ride and got lost, then," he said before turning to Merlin. "You're free to run that errand for Gaius. You'd likely only slow us down." He nodded at Gwen. "Take Guinevere with you. She could use a distraction and you could use a good example."
Merlin pouted as the two men left, but grew serious as soon as the door shut. He ran over to Arthur's desk and dug out the map from where he'd hidden it. "We need to go find her before they can track her to the druid camp."