Author Notes: Right. Sorry these last two chapters were so rushed. I completely forgot about this story, let's blame it on my first year of uni. Hard to feel inspired to write fanfics when you're having to write a new short story/poem every week. All the same, it's done now. I have a few new projects lined up. I think I'll keep to one shots from now on. :P Or else write all chapters at one time. :P

Enjoy.

Chapter Three

Arthur spent the rest of the night staring into the flames dying in the grate, he only knew hours passed by the way the shadows moved across the room, then it was night again and he was sure he hadn't moved. Though he must have, he wore different clothes and there was a pile of plates beside him, the last of his dinner still waiting to be picked up. The servant was a better one than Merlin could ever hope to be. When Arthur asked him to polish his armour, he could return ten minutes later to find at least half of it done. Perhaps a slight exaggeration on his part but it often felt it was done quickly and with such a gracious smile when he was asked. It was clear that Alistair liked being the King's servant... Still, it was odd that he missed the old days. Missed having to shout at Merlin to get something done, the shouting had evidently provided an outlet for the bottled up anger he felt. Shouting at Alistair was like kicking a puppy or stealing a beloved toy from a baby; this look of utter terror would pass over the boy's face, his large brown eyes would get tearful as he babbled out explanations. It would have been amusing to the old Arthur but a Post-Merlin Arthur couldn't even look the boy in the eye after shouting without feeling incredibly guilty.

That was probably why the kid was so afraid to come back in and Merlin was back as his servant, just for the day. He did everything in his usual lazy way but this time with magic. However, Merlin was useless and was nowhere to be seen, hadn't been for some hours. Finally he stood and ran his hand over his rough chin where a beard had grown and had yet to be shaved. Just as he turned to face the window, the door behind him opened. Whoever it was slid in, then closed it gently. It probably wasn't Merlin then, perhaps Alistair had returned. Without looking he spoke with the hollow voice he had adopted since Gwen left two days ago now.

"The plates are there, Alistair. You can tell Merlin he is fired when you see him." He pressed his hand over his eyes and groaned. "You haven't seen him have you? Could do with that sleeping draught he was banging on about..."

"Merlin is... Otherwise engaged." The voice was calm, confident, and beautiful. It wasn't Alistair's but he knew immediately who it was and turned sharply on his heel.

"Morgana?" He whispered.

His sister, as he still thought of her, stood there as beautiful as ever. Her long hair hung in waves and gleamed in the light. Her pale face made her love ethereal and the smile, so sincere made his heart warm. She wore long robes in green satin material but when she extended her hand, the sleeve of her dress was white. He should have been afraid; Morgana and her sister had been wreaking havoc over Camelot's lands for months, years even. It had been here that had caused his father's sudden heart-sickness. Instead he felt a calmness he hadn't known in a long while.

"Morgana." He repeated, still in awe but this time a little louder.

"I heard what she did." Arthur didn't answer but he felt the sickness return, the bile rise in his throat as thought of Gwen and Lancelot.

"You came to gloat? To mock me?" He stared at her, not even reaching for his sword. "You mean to kill me, Morgana? Go ahead... I don't care anymore."

At such a declaration of defeat she was taken aback. With a shake of her head she stepped forward. "I don't want to kill you. I thought you'd need me."

He couldn't help be confused. Morgana had been waging war on him and his knights for as long as he had been King, she used magic for evil, to destroy all that was good and prove his father's mad theories right. Why would she want to comfort him for a failed marriage? He thought it should have been a trick but there was something honest in her eyes when she spoke and he nodded an affirmative. He did need her.

Morgana moved to him, took long strides toward the window and opened her arms. He sunk into her gratefully as she stroked the back of his head, combing through his hair and whispered words of love as he sobbed once more.

Sometime later she had dragged him to the bed, shaved him and washed his face. He felt like an invalid or a child and couldn't help but wonder what was going on but at the same time, couldn't bring himself to care. When he was restored to his former good looks she smiled and leaned back to inspect her work.

"What are you doing?"

"You needed me."

"You hate me. My Knights are looking for you, but you're here, in my room, caring for me."

"I never hated you. Not once... Uther, I hated. He was ignorant but you understood. You never turned me into him, even when you knew who I was... What I was, you made sure he didn't find out."

He laughed humourlessly. "So thanking me with war?"

"It'll be over soon... When Merlin's dead, it'll end."

He frowned deeply, a wave of fear dawned on him. He didn't want Merlin to die, he was useless at most things but he was loyal and loving. He shook his head, the panic obvious. "What did you do to him?"

"Nothing." She stated so matter-of-factly it could have been talk over the weather.

"You said he was engaged, you've done something?"

"No... I was able to get in because he was gone. I waited for him to leave and then I found you."

"I don't understand..."

She sat on the bed beside him and took his hand. "Do you remember when my father died? When I first moved in here?" He nodded. "You came into my room that first night, you were only seven. You climbed into my bed and cuddled me. You told me that it didn't matter that he was dead because dying meant he was somewhere safe." He couldn't remember the conversation but he could briefly remember the incident. "You came into my room every night for a month; I never went to sleep until you were there, every night you stayed there with me, telling me it was ok and that you'd look after me."

He remembered her teasing him about it some years later in front of the knights he was training with. "Do you remember why you stopped?" He shook his head. "Uther found out, he made it sound wrong, like we were being filthy and disobedient and you wouldn't come near me again, I needed you and he denied it."

He didn't remember that either but he could imagine it. "I'm sorry."

She didn't answer him but continued on, staring at the wall as she spoke. "You used to be so sweet, so gentle. When Merlin came, I thought it would change you back; he seemed like a good influence. But he's no good either, Arthur. He convinced you to marry Gwen and look where it got you, he's made so many bad decisions, and he's going to get you killed. He left here tonight leaving you defenceless and he'll keep on doing it."

They fell silent after that and then he felt the press of her warm lips against his temple and frowned. It was like that ten year old Morgana was back. The one who was fresh with grief and in need of a loving friend.

"You can't sleep?" He shook his head again and she laid down on the bed and pulled him down too. Once he lay on his back she pulled the covers from under him and tucked him in. He watched in confusion but did nothing as she remained on top of the duvet. "This is better than a potion..." She took off the bracelet that Morgause had once given her. "It's enchanted to make dreamless sleep." She squeezed it onto his wrist and then lay down beside him.

"I'd never betray you." She told him, rubbing small circles on the back of his hand to lull him into sleep.

"Nor would Merlin." He replied, sleep already cornering him.

He must have fallen asleep for a long time because when he woke up Morgana was gone; with nothing but the dent in the pillow and the bracelet to prove she had been there. If it hadn't been for that, he would have assumed it to be a hallucination or longing from an old face. He stared at the markings on the bracelet for a long time and considered asking Merlin to look at it and deturmin whether it was cursed but when the hapless wizard walked in two minutes later; he slid the bracelet under his pillow and out of sight.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked as he cleared away the plates. Arthur nodded absently.

"Where were you?"

"I was told Mordred was in the forests. Not a good sign if he is lurking so I went to check it out."

"Was he there?" He feigned interest as he watched Merlin walk around. He couldn't help but wonder if what Morgana said was true, was Merlin going to get him killed?

"No. If he was I couldn't find him. Oh, look at that. The beard is gone. Thank God." He exclaimed with a goofy smile and Arthur couldn't help but laugh. "Want me to change your sheets?" He nearly nodded but remembering the bracelet changed his mind. "No... No, leave it. It's fine. Alistair changed them last night so they're fine for now..."

"Right. Erm, well I have to deal with the Court meeting. Apparently Morgana is planning something at Camlann, we should send some Knights to check it out."

He was gone before Arthur could ask how he knew what Morgana was doing. Left in the silence he pulled the bracelet out and examined it. Morgana had loved him once but things had changed and Arthur knew it was not Merlin's fault that Gwen had left. He had a feeling whatever was happening at Camlann and Mordred being in the forest had more to do with Morgana's evil, not Merlin. Ashamed of himself for believing it, he dressed himself quickly. He'd go to Camlann himself and throw the thing in her face. She couldn't turn him against the Warlock.

=T H E E N D=

Final notes: Morgana turned out to be devious. I did want her to be nice for a change but figured, she's evil now, she should act like it. If it wasn't clear from my rubbish writing there, she was tricking Arthur into believing Merlin was a liability knowing that their strength lies in each other. Merlin will be weaker without Arthur and vice versa. This chapter was setting up poor, heartbroken Arthur.