A/N: Thank you for everyone that reviewed on the last chapter. This story could go one of two ways and the direction it takes will be influenced by what people are saying about it to me. So if you have time, please review and let me know what you think :)
Morgana couldn't understand it at all, she'd had him but she just walked away and left Arthur there.
She hadn't been expecting his arrival and his admission about knowing what had happened to her for those two long, lonely years had thrown her.
Every day she struggled to forget, and every night she relived some of the worst moments of her life in excruciating detail.
Most vivid were Aithusa's cries and her tears when she couldn't do anything to help her only friend.
She was a High Priestess of the Old Religion, but even with all her power, for the first time in her entire life she was helpless to do anything at all.
It was not something she had ever wanted Arthur to know.
Maybe it was her pride speaking or maybe it was a desperate need to not appear weak to her enemies, but knowing that Arthur was aware of where she had been for those years felt like getting punched in the gut.
She wandered aimlessly for ours, trapped inside her head, attempting to understand why she hadn't just killed her insufferable brother when she'd had the chance.
But, nothing.
Back in Camelot Merlin had just finished explaining to Gaius what had happened out in the woods, Gaius just stared back in shock and confusion.
"That was incredibly foolish of Arthur, it's a miracle that Morgana didn't kill him then and there."
"I know," Merlin scratched his head, "I don't understand it, she had the perfect opportunity but she just turned around and walked away."
"What's Arthur doing with Gwen?" Gaius asked curiously.
"He has her locked in her chambers, Morgana told him there was a way to undo what she'd done to her. But it was weird, it was like she wasn't aware of what she was saying until she had said it."
Merlin sighed and looked down at his hand, remembering all the times he had used his magic against Morgana, and the worst time of all when he hadn't, the day he's poisoned her for the good of the kingdom. To his dying day, he would remember that look of betrayal.
"Merlin." Gaius said softly, Merlin looked up reluctantly to meet his mentors sympathetic eyes, "You can't read to much into this. Morgana is not to be trusted, ever. Do you understand?"
Merlin tried to nod but instead just growled in frustration, "I do Gaius, I do. But all those years ago when everyone warned me against helping her. What if I had? Things could have been so different, she could have been so different. Instead we're here, and everything is threatened because instead of help from those closest to her, Morgana was pushed away. Right into the arms of Morgause."
Gaius closed his eyes regretfully, "Merlin, you're not the only one who has thought along these lines but you need to stop. Even if you had told her about you, there's nothing to say we wouldn't still have ended up right where we are now. Stop blaming yourself."
"I can't. But you're right, she can't be trusted, and if Arthur's stupid enough to try this then I'm going to have to be right there with him in case things go badly."
It was then that Arthur himself burst into the room, rubbing at his head, "Gwen's awake and she's not in a pleasant mood, Merlin we have to go find Morgana, now."
They both turned to look at him as though he had grown another head.
"Arthur are you insane, she could've killed you once today, going back is like handing her another arrow because she missed you the first time." Merlin shouted at him.
Arthur scowled and his face hardened, "Merlin! I am the King, you don't shout at me understand? And we need to fix Gwen, Morgana knows how."
"Sire," Gaius cut in as the voice of reason, "How do you expect to find her? Morgana is many things but she isn't a fool. She's not going to let you just ride up to her unannounced."
Arthur shook his head, "I'm willing to bet that she will, because it's just going to be me and Merlin. No matter what she's thinking or planning right now, she wouldn't pass up a chance like that."
"Brilliant," Merlin bit out sarcastically, "So you're not just going to get yourself killed, you're actively attempting to get rid of me as well."
He was met by a glare of Arthur but it soon softened to one of pleading, "Please Merlin, you saw what happened today, what if we can stop all of this right now? What if the fighting could end?"
Gaius clasped his hands in front of him and looked at Arthur seriously, "Arthur, even if you can get her to see reason, then what? Magic is still banned in your kingdom, or had you forgotten?"
Arthur sat down next to them and held his head in his hands, "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. My father was never willing to compromise, not even a little, and neither myself or Morgana ever really agreed with that. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying I'm going to lift the ban. But I'm not saying I never would either. I need answers, is that so hard to understand? I want to know what happened to make her like this. I need to know."
Merlin rolled his eyes but stood up anyway, "Come on then, but if you get me killed then I quit and you need to find another servant."
To his great surprise Arthur stood quickly and hugged him fiercely before stepping back and clearing his throat, "That never happened, gather the horses and enough supplies for three days. Gaius, I'm putting you in charge until I return. You are my most trusted friend and you have advised my family well for countless years."
Gaius bowed his head humbly, "It would be an honour sire, but are you sure that you won't consider taking some knights with you."
"No," He shook his head immediately, "If we stand any chance of pulling this off, Morgana cannot feel threatened."
Arthur nodded once more at Gaius before leaving the room to get ready to depart. Merlin started to follow him, he was just at the door when Gaius called out his name.
"Merlin? Look after him. Don't let your guard down for a second, no matter what."
Merlin nodded solemnly before ducking out of the room after Arthur.
He gathered the supplies and horses in record time, waiting out in the main courtyard for Arthur to appear.
When he did, he mounted up without a word and took off, leaving Merlin to race to catch up. He could see the tension in Arthur's shoulders from behind him, neither of the two men feeling at ease.
They road in silence to where they had last seen Morgana, hoping to pick up the trail from there. As Arthur surveyed the ground Merlin shifted uneasily, unable to hide his doubt at this entire endeavour.