"We got the supplies," Merlin said, coming into the room. "Mordred's readying the horses."

"Did you find a way to get me out of here?" Arthur asked. "A way that doesn't involve harming the guards."

Merlin rolled his eyes. They didn't attack the guards that often. "I have actually. Remember that time with the troll. You know, your step-"

"Finish that sentence and I'll gut you."

"Right, well, remember how I got the mirror down for Gwen to see her."

Arthur glared at him. "No."

"It's the eas-"

"You are not levitating me all the way to the ground."

"It will be fine."

"Absolutely not!"

"Do you have a better plan?"

Arthur threw his glove at him.

He caught it then came over to help him get ready.

"I swear, if you drop me…"

"You worry too much."

"You're the size of a twig."

"We can't all be the size of a gourd," Merlin muttered.

"What was that?"

"Physical strength doesn't mean magical strength. It will be fine."

Once Arthur was ready they went over to the window. The prince opened it and looked down. "Can't you just conjure a rope or something?"

"It would take too long," Merlin said, setting his hand on Arthur's shoulder. "Artur, folge min bebod."

He raised his hand and Arthur came up with it.

"Woah!" Arthur waved his arms as if to get his balance and Merlin stepped back.

"Hold still or you're going to fall."

"Don't order me around," he growled, but pressed his arms against his side.

Carefully, Merlin turned him so he'd fit out the window then slowly lowered him to the ground.

"I just think it's strange to agree to do something when you don't know what it is," Merlin chided.

"One more word out of you, Merlin," Arthur said, "and you'll be taking the challenge in my place."

Suddenly Passelande whinnied and the two turned to see him throwing Modred.

"Modred!"

"Ambush!"

Both dismounted and grabbed their swords. Merlin ran to Modred's side as Arthur locked blades with one of the men.

Are you okay? Merlin asked, reaching down to help the younger boy up.

Modred nodded. Behind you.

Merlin turned and blocked an attack from a man wielding an ax.

He struck the man down as he heard Mordred say, "Gar onbærne."

A shout had him looking up to see a man falling out of a tree with a burning spear.

He focused back on the fight as Arthur took down the last man.

"What was your mother like?" Mordred asked.

Emrys shoved him off the log.

What was that for?

"I never knew her. She died before I opened my eyes."

That.

Oh. "Sorry."

"I barely know anything about her."

"Can't you ask your father?" Emrys said.

"He refuses to talk about her. It must be too painful for him. Sometimes it's as if she never even existed. I still have a sense of her. Almost as though she's part of me."

Mordred nodded, climbing back up. "My mother… She left me with the druids before I was old enough to remember anything. I know her name, but that doesn't tell me who she is. And my father, I don't even know that much."

"That's the same with my father," Emrys added. "I never knew him. And my mother's barely spoken of him. I've got this...vague memory, but it's probably just my imagination."

"I'd do anything for even the vaguest memory."

"Is that why you're so determined to find Morgause?" Emrys asked. "To see what she knows about your mother?"

"Is that so wrong?"

"No."

"How do you know she'll tell you the truth?" Mordred asked.

"I don't, but I have to try."

Mordred frowned and glanced towards the forest.

"I should ge-"

I'll be right back.

"Where are you going?" Arthur yelled as Emrys asked the same with his mind.

Mordred didn't answer either of them as he rushed through the trees, searching.

Mordred!

I'll be right back, he repeated as he spotted what he was looking for. He quickly knelt in front of the ancient oak tree and searched its roots until he found a round stone the size of a coin. He sat down on the oak's lowest branch and drew a basic shield knot on the stone with his finger, chanting, "Bilehwīte" with every corner. Once he'd done all four corners, the shield knot appeared on its surface. It burned through the stone until there was a perfectly carved hole in the shape of the knot.

Finished, he hopped down and raced back to camp.

Emrys was immediately on him. Are you okay? You can't run off like that. We just got ambushed by Odin's men, remember?

"Where did you go?" Arthur asked, glaring at him.

Mordred held up the stone. "I was making this."

Arthur took it and turned it over in his hand.

"It's a truth charm. You wear it and if someone lies to you, it lights up. White for innocent lies, red for malicious ones. The redder the light, the darker the intentions."

"Could use one of these in court," Arthur said.

"They only last for two days and wear out faster the more lies are said."

"So it'd probably only last an hour in court," Emrys joked, pulling the thin leather band off his wrist. He took the stone and slipped the band through before tying it to Arthur's wrist.

"I thought, you know, this way you'll at least know if what she says is true," Mordred said, fidgeting.

"Thank you," Arthur said and Mordred smiled. "You'll only have to spend a week on dog duty when we get back now."

"What? Why do I have to go on dog duty!?"

Mordred loved animals, but he hated dog duty. Arthur's dogs always dragged him around when he tried to walk them and never listened to anything he said. Normally Emrys would always take the job - the dogs were besotted with him and hung on his every word - but Arthur liked to use it as a punishment for the younger servant.

"Because you ran off alone in enemy territory and ignored us when we told you to come back."

You need to explain yourself next time, Emrys said.

"But -"

"Let's get some rest."

Mordred pouted as Arthur went to his bedroll.

Emrys ruffled his hair. Get some sleep.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Merlin whispered.

"If you were granted the same opportunity, would you not want to meet your father?"

"We don't know why she's doing this."

"She said she would show me my mother and the charm didn't react."

"That doesn't mean she doesn't have bad intentions, it only means she was telling the truth. There might be more to this than you think."

"Or there might not be. Why are you so quick to distrust one of your own?"

"Because someone has to be cautious and you're giving her exactly what she wants."

"It is time," Morgause said, blowing out the match she had been using to light the candles. She held out her hand and Arthur took it so she could lead him to the altar. She turned him so he was facing away from it and said, "Close your eyes."

Merlin and Mordred stepped back into an alcove as she began her spell.

"Arise mid min miclan mihte þín suna to helpe. Hider eft funde on þisse ne middangeard þín suna wæs."

Do you recognize the spell?

Mordred shook his head. You?

Merlin did the same.

The air warped in front of them, then a woman with Arthur's fair hair and bright blue eyes stepped through the fold.

"Arthur," she said, and when he opened his eyes, she smiled. "Arthur."

"Mother," he said.

"My son." She rushed to him and pulled him into a hug. "When I last held you, you were a tiny baby." She pulled away to cup his cheek. "I remember your eyes. You were staring up at me. Those few seconds I held you were the most precious of my life."

"I'm so sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for."

"It was my birth that caused you to die."

"No, you are not to blame."

"I cannot bear the thought that you died because of me."

"Do not think that," she said, pulling him into another hug. "It is your father who should carry the guilt for what happened."

Merlin frowned as Arthur asked, "What do you mean?"

His wrist.

Merlin glanced down at Arthur's wrist and gasped.

The charm was glowing a dark crimson.

"Arthur," he whispered.

He saw Morgause glance at him, but Arthur was focused on his mother.

"It is not important. What matters is that you lived."

"Why should my father feel guilty?" Arthur asked, pulling away.

"It is better left in the past."

"You cannot leave me with more questions. Please."

"Your father, he was desperate for an heir. Without a son, the Pendragon dynasty would come to an end. But I could not conceive."

"But how was I born? Tell me."

"Your father betrayed me," she said and the charm lit up again.

Merlin frowned and focused on Arthur's wrist. "Ábryrde."

Arthur glanced down at his wrist with a hiss and froze.

"He went to the sorceress Nim-"

"You're lying."

"What?"

"Tell me the truth."

She looked shocked, but then her eyes caught on the charm and her face went cold. Suddenly mist started to form around the room, circling Arthur and his mother.

Merlin raced forward and grabbed Arthur's arm just as the mists engulfed them.

He looked around, but couldn't see anything but Arthur and white.

"Mother?" Arthur called, pulling out of Merlin's grip and taking a few steps forward.

Mordred? Merlin tried, glancing back as best he could without taking his eyes off Arthur.

"He can't hear you."

A hand wrapped around Merlin's jaw and his body locked up as Arthur's mother appeared before him.

"Mother?" Arthur said, turning to them. "What are you doing? What's going on?"

She turned to him, considering.

Tell him the truth, the warlock growled.

She gave him a reprimanding look and suddenly pain was flooding through him. He gasped and collapsed to his knees, but couldn't move otherwise.

"Merlin," Arthur said, reaching towards him.

"Merlin? Is that what you call it?" she asked. Her hand was still on Merlin's jaw and he could feel her nails digging into his skin deep enough to draw blood when she tilted his head up so she could study his face. "It needs to be taken in hand. While it's loyalty is good, it needs to learn its place."

"Leave him alone."

She turned her focus back on Arthur.

"Tell me why you're doing this? Why did you lie?" he said, glancing worriedly down at Merlin.

She finally released his jaw, instead choosing to weave her fingers through Merlin's hair with a sigh. "Because I wanted you to kill Uther."

"What?" Arthur shrieked, jerking back. He glanced down at his wrist and shook his head. "But… he was your husband. You loved him."

She gave Arthur a patronizing, yet fond look that was so much like Arthur's it sent a shiver down Merlin's spine. "Come now, my son. Surely you must know by now that a king doesn't marry for love. Uther may have come to love me, but that does not mean I returned the sentiment."

"But what reason would you have to want him dead?"

"Because then you would be king," she said simply. "I merely want what's best for you."

"So-so you would lie about being unable to conceive just to make me a mu-"

"That was not a lie," she said, gesturing to his wrist to show her truth.

"Then how was I born."

"Magic. I assured your father it was the only way and he sent Gaius to seek out the High Priestesses. Your father was naive to magic though. When Nimueh told him there would be a price to bring a life into the world, he thought she meant gold. Instead -"

"A life for a life," Arthur said, voice shaking.

"Very good. I worried your education would be lacking without me by your side. Yes, the ritual required a life to be given. Nimueh planned to simply direct the spell out of the castle and let the life taken be random, but I had other plans. I knew Uther would try to make you in his image and I couldn't allow that to happen."

"You were going to sacrifice him for the spell."

She glared off to the side and her fingers pulled at Merlin's hair. "Nimueh realized I had interfered with the spell and saved him, but it was too late for her to direct the magic and the Old Religion took a life at random."

"Yours."

"A queen for a king." She nodded. "I got my revenge though. Uther saw my death as the betrayal it was and launched his purge."

Arthur's fists clenched at his side. "He never knew. He never knew the truth, so he thought it was magic's fault."

"As I said, he doesn't understand how magic works."

"You caused the deaths of so many innocents!"

"Uther did that. You can-"

"Because he loved you!"

"Arthur," she said, and Merlin felt her grip on him lessen as the mists began to fade. "Everything I've done was for you. You are my son."

He shook his head and took a step back. "He loved you, and you betrayed him."

"Arthur." She reached for him and took a step forward, then disappeared.

Merlin doubled over as the paralysis fell away, panting into the floor.

Merlin! Modred yelled, running to his side and helping him sit up.

"What happened?" Moraguase asked and Merlin saw her looking between them.

"Thank you for granting my wish," Arthur said, not looking at her. "I will not forget your kindness."

"Are you alright?" she asked, coming closer.

"Fine. I've… merely been reminded that some wishes are better left unfulfilled." he came up to Merlin and helped him to his feet. To Mordred, he said, "Fetch the horses. We're returning to Camelot."

"Arthur?"

"Shut up, Merlin."

"Arthur. Where have you been? I have had search parties out looking for you. Arthur?"

"I know… what happened to my mother."

His father handed the papers he was holding to Leon and ordered. "Leave us. No one is to enter."

Leon glanced between them warily, but walked away. Merlin stayed near the doors.

"Leave."

"Go, Merlin," Arthur growled.

"Don't do anything rash," Merlin said, but let Leon push him out. "He's still your father."

"What are you talking about?" Uther asked once the doors were shut.

"You were so desperate for an heir, you were prepared to use magic."

"Did Morgause tell you this? She's lying."

"My mother is dead because you both were selfish and arrogant."

"No. That's not true. But Morgause would have you believe that."

"This is what fuels your hatred for those who practice magic. Rather than trying to understand what happened, you blame them."

"You would believe a sorcerer's lies over the word of your own father? I can only think that Morgause has enchanted you."

"You hunted her kind like animals!" Arthur shouted. "How many hundreds have you condemned to death to ease your grief?"

"Those who practice magic will stop at nothing to destroy us!" Uther shouted back. "I have only done what is necessary to protect this kingdom!"

"You speak of honor and nobility! You're nothing but a hypocrite and a liar!"

"I am your king and your father. You will show me some respect!"

"You execute those who use magic, and yet you have used it yourself! You have caused so much suffering and pain!" He spat. His hand ached for his sword, but he knew Mordred or Merlin had sealed it in his sheath. "You are my father and king so you have my loyalty, but you will need to earn my respect."

"Arthur!" Uther shouted, but he turned away and stomped to the doors. "You have not been dismissed."

"I am going to leave before I do something I regret," he said, yanking open the doors. "I request you give me time to adjust."

"Arthur!"

He slammed them shut behind him. Mordred, Merlin, and Leon were all giving him worried looks, but he ignored them and continued on to his rooms.

"Ar-"

"I want to be alone," he said over Merlin. "Go have Gaius take care of your face. I will send for you both when I want you."

"I-Okay. Just know we're here for you."

Arthur waved him away.

"What happened?" Gwen asked as Gaius cleaned the small cuts on Merlin's face.

Mordred shrugged. "Morgause summoned Arthur's mother's spirit and she tried to lie about him about his birth. Suddenly they and Merlin disappeared in some mists that I couldn't get through. When they faded, Merlin and Arthur were alone and Arthur was… like that."

Gaius froze, looking worried. "What did Ygraine say?"

Merlin frowned and met his eyes. "You already know most of it."

Gaius sighed and turned away.

"What do you mean? What happened?" Gwen asked.

"That's for Arthur to say," Merlin sighed. "It… wasn't good though. He's going to need us."

She squeezed his shoulder. "I'll go get him some dinner."

"Don't push. It's really bad. He's going to need some time to process."

She nodded and left.

When she arrived at his door was a tray of food, she knocked and pushed her way in, ignoring the shouted, "Leave me."

"I've brought you some dinner."

He scowled at her. "Merlin told you what happened?"

"Only that your mother said something that upset you. He said it wasn't his place to explain."

"Upset is an understatement," he growled, turning away.

She set the tray down and went to the door. "I understand, but please take care of yourself. Don't bottle it all up. I'm here to talk if you need it. Or Merlin since he already knows."

"Thank you, Guinevere."

She waited a few moments, then said goodbye and left.