I really don't have any sort of A/N for this chapter.
I just...yeah, the chapter explains itself without any addition from me.
Going through the drill again: Arian/Analise belong to me, nothing else does, and comments/reviews/etc/etc/etc are most encouraged. :)
Much unfortunately for Merlin, Analise's chamber was situated directly next to the one Arthur occupied.
While walking past that long table in the hallway, his hip bumped into the corner, causing the same vase to teeter precariously on the edge. He incanted a spell in his head, stopping the vase inches before it hit the floor, and bent down and clasped his hands around it when he saw Arthur come out of his chambers.
Every damn time.
"There you are Merlin. You're late."
"Yes, sire, I know."
"Well, then you should try arriving on time. My armour needs polishing, my boots need shining, and my room needs cleaning.
Merlin placed the vase gently back on the table, this time further away from the edge.
"And next time you walk down the hall, do try not to knock over the vase," Arthur said in slightly condescending a tone.
"I'll try sire."
Once Arthur was well out of Merlin's sight, he headed straight past Arthur's chambers, intent on carrying out his original plan.
The sound of voice hit Merlin's ear, and stopped him dead in his tracks. He noticed Morgana and Analise standing together in a partially hidden hallway. He slid closer, hoping to keep hidden, to get a clearer idea of what they were saying.
"How is our plan falling together?" he heard Morgana's voice ask.
"Very well, I believe. Uther still has his doubts about the story..."
"In time, dear Analise, in time. We are still adding the final pieces, but Cenred lays in waiting. We just need someone with powerful magic."
"Someone like Merlin."
Merlin's ears caught his name spoken in a voice that belonged to neither Morgana or Analise; he carefully looked around the corner. The voice belonged to Morgause, who leaned against the wall, completely covered by shadows.
Why would Analise ally herself with Morgana and Morgause?
"Merlin?" Analise laughed. "You'd never get Merlin to join you. That much I know."
Morgana chuckled; a sinister, dry chuckle that went directly through Merlin. "We weren't going to try. But, we figured, somebody like you would do just fine. You're plenty powerful yourself."
Then the sound of Morgause reciting a spell that wasn't immediately familiar to Merlin filled the air, and once she finished, Morgana said, "Will will summon you when the time comes."
Merlin backed slowly from corridor, refusing to believe what he had just heard. Nothing he could possibly remember would give an explanation for her being allied with the likes of Morgana and Morgause, the two people who wanted the downfall of Uther more than anyone.
It couldn't be possible. There had to be some mistake, some misunderstanding. It couldn't be Analise. It just couldn't.