Blinking heavily, Merlin stifled a groan and sat up slowly, wincing slightly at the slight twinge of pain from his abdomen. Yesterday's events at the feast had drained him severely; making him tired and in a small amount of pain. Glancing around him, he noticed that he was in his hideout, in his medical chamber. Raising slowly from the bed, he hobbled towards the exit of his den, thinking over his decision with Morgana. He had left her in an unknown part of the woods; part of him wished for her to perish whilst the other desperately wanted her to survive. Shaking his head to clear it, he climbed the steps and entered the main part of the castle. Looking through the window, he could see dawn begin to arrive and so he hurried off towards the kitchens to fetch the prince's meals.
Far away, in between thick foliage, Morgana awoke and, with a startled gasp, sat bolt straight, looking madly around her. She remembered the black clad figure from the feast and gazed around, fearful to attacks from the unknown enemy. Gingerly she stood up and, after making sure he was no way near, examined her surroundings, realising that she had no idea where she was. Panicking, she moved north, hoping she would come across something familiar. After walking for what seemed to be years, she began to notice the trees thinning out and, to her surprise, found herself in the clearing that housed her hovel. Grinning like a madman, she threw open her door and began plotting what to do with the 'hero'. If she could get him on her side, it would be nearly impossible for Arthur to win. Laughing softly to herself, she planned on how to get what she wanted.
Without knocking, Merlin catapulted the door open, one hand holding a tray laden with food. Sauntering in, he stopped short when he saw Arthur sat at his desk, his head in his hands. "Arthur, what is it?" He asked, depositing the tray on the table and walking slowly towards his friend. Arthur glanced up slowly, his eyes red from exhaustion. " That Raven appeared last night," he began.
"Oh?" Merlin prompted him to continue.
"He saved Gwen from Morgana and made this speech about how he will protect the city but then he saved Morgana from my troops and I don't know where his loyalties lie." Arthur confided in him. Merlin was about to reply when a guard burst through the door and shouted:
" Saxon soldiers sir, five of them attacking in the throne room!"