Author's note: Sorry it took so long. Been rather busy of late. It's a rather long chapter! As usualplease review and tell me whether you enjoyed/didn't enjoy my story and why so that I can improve my writing techniques. Thankyou.

The crow enter swiftly Morgause's residence - A small cave with two

outlaws guarding the entrance, inside there was a main fire in the

centre and a few torches lit around the walls of the cave – the

outlaw guards moved to let the messenger through. The crow landed

swiftly onto a rock near the fire and cawed loudly. Morgause moved

quickly and gracefully over to the jet black bird and took the

parchment tied to the bird's foot; she studied it carefully and broke

the wax seal. She read it carefully and smiled.

Morgause pulled on her cloak and exited the cave, the two guards

remained outside; faces blank, eyes cold and lifeless.

Morgana stood by the old arrowed oak tree, running her hand gently

down the ancient bark and up to touch the arrow. She looked around

studying everything making sure no one had followed her; she

listened for sounds that indicated that someone was there. "Sister…"

Came the gentle whispering in the wind.

Morgana froze, then smiled. She turned swiftly to face Morgause.

"It is good to see you sister, are you well?" Asked Morgause studying

her sister carefully.

"Yes sister, other than having to pretend to care for someone I loathe so much." Replied Morgana words twisted in evil.

"What is it that you wanted to discuss?" Morgause asked curiously.

"Uther has sent Arthur to retrieve some kind of magical pendant. According to the peasant, it can kill crops and start magical storms. That is without a guiding hand. Someone who knows what they're doing can…"

"Bring Camelot to it's knees!" Finished Morgause, a smile on her face and her eyes wide and bright; like a child at Yuletide.

"Where can this pendant be found? Do you know?" Pressed Morgause.

"The Caves Of Maridor." Replied Morgana with a wicked smirk; she also had some sense of pride in her tone.

"You have done well sister. We shall wait for Arthur to retrieve the pendant, I shall send spies to keep an eye on them. Once Arthur returns to Camelot with the pendant, you sister need to sneak into the vaults and take it. Then meet me back here at this tree." Plotted Morgause, everything seemed so simple in words, but not so easy to carry out. Unless you're the King's Ward…

M~M~M~M

Arthur had been quiet. Too quiet for Merlin's liking. Arthur was also on extreme guard. Merlin could feel the tense atmosphere around him; it unnerved him.

"Arthur, are you alright?" asked Merlin breaking the silence.

"No." Replied Arthur.

"Tell me what's wrong." Merlin persisted.

"You. I have the terrible feeling your going to start a really boring banter." Arthur said sarcastically, turning to face his servant with a faux smile.

Merlin just rolled his eyes and fiddled with the leather reins.

A couple of hours later of quiet riding, the eerie silence was broken "Not too far now." Arthur said rather cheerfully.

"Just over that really big mountain range, with it's treacherous, rocky ridges that we have to force the horses to walk on!" Merlin shot back; he was tired and hated going over mountains at the best of times.

Arthur shook his head, honestly, he thought.

"We start that exciting league of the journey tomorrow then. Nothing worse than a grumpy Merlin. He becomes very cynical when he's tired." When Arthur finished his sentence he turned to Merlin – Who was glaring daggers- as the knights laughed.

"Honestly, I think your some kind of vampire. You get very animated when it gets dark." Retorted Merlin, then looked very confused at himself. Vampire is that the best you could come up with? He thought to himself, cursing himself in his thoughts.

"Wow you must be tired! Vampire!? Is that the best you can do?" Arthur retorted back thoroughly enjoying himself.

M~M~M~M

Soon Arthur found them a suitable clearing to set up camp. Merlin was sent to gather firewood, Arthur and the knights hiding their smiles as Merlin disappeared through the foliage ranting. As soon as Merlin was out of sight the knights and Arthur smiled at each other, Merlin always cheered them up even when it was unintentional. A while later they heard Merlin returning, it was impossible to not hear him.

SQUELCH. "ARGHH, THAT'S JUST GREAT!"

Arthur and the knights turned in the direction of the angry shout. There was a lot more cursing that followed. Arthur and the knights turned to each other. "I never heard Merlin so uptight…" came murmurs from the knights – even Arthur himself had never heard Merlin curse so much. Merlin then appeared carrying the firewood and from the knees down were plastered in thick sticky mud.

Arthur couldn't resist (How could he?) "Merlin… We only wanted some firewood, you didn't have to go paddling!"

Merlin dropped the firewood by the small fire. The knights were laughing at Arthur's remark.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I thought it was a necessity to go paddling in a thick muddy bog at the edge of the clearing!" Ranted Merlin. With that he exited the clearing, with a sack containing his spare clothes.

"MERLIN DON'T GO TH…" Shouted Arthur in warning, but he was too late. SQUELCH.

"ARGHHH!" More cursing and squelching followed, as Arthur and the knights cringed. They heard Merlin returning and quickly laid down around the fire and pretended to be asleep. Arthur felt a gentle rush of air, then heard Merlin laying down next to him. He was groaning slightly; if he was tired before, he certainly was now! Arthur turned over hoping Merlin had taken all his frustration out earlier so he could just go to sleep. He was in luck, it took moments before Merlin's breathing evened out, indicating he was asleep. Arthur closed his eyes satisfied and fell asleep. Little did he know they were being watched…