Chapter 7

They travelled for a day and half, trying to keep out of trouble and out of people's gazes. They did not want to warrant any more attention than it was absolutely necessary. The hills and the landscape spread before them as they moved on.

He realized that the closer they got to Camelot the quieter did Arthur become. The familiar hillside was there and just over it the magical sight of Camelot, and Merlin felt the unease about it. When they stepped over and the promised land came into view he couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

Earlier he never got the chance to actually see it. He was always hiding about in the woods of the nearby villages that he never really thought it wise to be close to the place that ordered the slaughter of his village. He only heard in taverns and inns about Uther's insanity and how he wanted to bring about the dark ages because the magic shouldn't exist, always paranoid and fearing a sorcerer or a sorceress would come and claim his throne.

If the rumors were to go by, it seemed that he finally realized his fear and Morgana was the one to do it. He felt the horse jerk at his unease but he couldn't shake it. He still remembered how once they were sitting in a camp all together and just enjoying being free and then one day Morgana was nowhere to be seen as news about how Camelot's army was searching for them because they had killed Uther reached them.

Nonsense all of it but they couldn't do much when soon after the wanted posters showed up and they realized that they had to go their separate ways. The Camelot soldiers were searching for a group and they would have better chance at surviving if they split up.

Morgana on the other hand was gone. No sight of her anywhere. Merlin had spent most of his time in Albion searching for her but to no avail.

"Merlin, focus. We have no time for your daydreaming."

He snapped back to reality to find Arthur looking at him sternly. Gwaine on the other hand just rolled his eyes and gestured before him.

"Why so on edge Arthur, look at this, it is complete darkness. Who is going to be able to recognize us? I can't recognize myself in the pitch dark let alone someone who had heard some ridiculous rumor about me."

Merlin had to agree but still felt a cold chill. They were being watched, whether they saw them or not was another thing entirely.

"Yes well if they can't see you they'd be sure to recognize an idiot speaking if you are that concerned about not getting any attention."

Gwaine could only shake his head.

"Really good one there Arthur, I'm surprised this entire place isn't covered in a storm considering your foul mood. Am I right Merlin?"

"Don't drag me into your lovers squabble."

Gwaine was left with his mouth open before saying, "I thought we were friends Merlin. Having each other's back and what not. Yet here you are taking a jab at the wounded person. I would be offended if I just didn't spend some quality time with those ladies in the tavern."

"Both of you shut up or you will find yourselves in a muddy ditch." Arthur said.

Merlin just couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched, but for now he let it go. He was starting to go insane from all of this.

They rode their horses into the Camelot and left them at the stables hiding quickly in the small huts that were inside the walls to observe the place. Still, only a couple of drunks and solders were walking about. The torches were lit but they tried to stick to the shadows. It all looked mundane but Merlin couldn't shake the feeling that it was all wrong.

"I don't like this."

Even Gwaine seemed to understand that something was amiss and he tried to focus on the surroundings to maybe detect what was going on. But before they could do anything more a dozen fire arrows were fired in a circle around them, soldiers surrounding them in seconds, crossbows at ready.

It didn't look good.

"Halt! Drop your swords."

That was the order but he had none anyway but Arthur and Gwaine were reluctant to let theirs go. He was glad that they all had hoods over their heads because he could practically feel the anger radiate from Arthur. He noticed that most of the soldiers had a weird look about them, but was unable to pinpoint what it was. They seemed hollow.

"No Arthur, they are innocent."

He whispered as he felt Arthur draw a familiar circle around him with the sword.

"Nobody is innocent in this world."

Gwaine was still undecided but wasn't in the mood to attack anyone so he dropped his sword but Arthur was having none of it.

"I can take them."

Merlin was almost exasperated at how utterly ridiculous he was being.

"In the process of killing few you will wake the entire army and be hanging by the morning. Don't be stupid Arthur."

"Yes Arthur listen to your dear friend there. Wouldn't want such a pretty head on the pike."

Merlin froze. It absolutely couldn't be, but among the soldiers a figure appeared and as much as he told himself that it wasn't her, Arthur didn't hesitate.

"Morgana!"

He shouted and in the next moment launched himself at her. Even she was surprised, the soldiers weren't be fast enough to react. He was going to get her. Before he knew what he was doing he extended his arm and violently pulled it in the other direction taking the sword out of Arthur's hand and violently pulling him back to where they were.

Arthur was looking at him in disbelief but he couldn't draw his gaze from her. The sinister smile on her face. Something was terribly wrong but he just couldn't understand what.

On the other hand Morgana almost seemed gleeful at his showing but he knew that no matter the circumstances he couldn't let Arthur hurt her. Now in his blind rage he knew that Arthur wanted to rip something apart, anyone for that matter. She was just there; Merlin could feel his own anger but kept it at bay. Arthur would be proud if it was any other time.

"Merlin what are you doing?"

Oh, he was finally aware that Gwaine was there also, helping Arthur stand up. He tried to clear his head, but some strange cloud kept forming. Morgana only regarded them. Merlin turned towards his friends.

"Didn't I just explain why Arthur this would be a bad thing? Oh and what does he go and do? I should've known."

And he did know which was the only reason why Morgana was still breathing and her head was still resting on her shoulders. It was strange of her to let down her guard, especially if she knew well enough how Arthur would react.

"My queen, why do the intruders call you Morgana?"

A soldier next to her spoke and when he looked back at her it was a different person standing there where Morgana was. Instead it was a woman with grey hair and a stature of royalty. Morgana never held herself like that. She looked back towards Merlin and her satisfied smile told him that there was magic here at work. Extremely powerful magic.

"I do not know but the information that they know of Morgana means one thing - that know that traitor and should be taken in immediately."

The soldiers started to move towards them and she said, "Oh I'll take care of the sorcerer, I need him."

In the next moment she muttered something and blew dust from her palm. Nothing happened until all of sudden he felt tired and fell to his knees, hearing the shouts from Arthur and Gwaine in the distance but soon all he saw as his head hit the ground was darkness.

Do you know Merlin that since the moment I knew I had magic I wanted to become a great sorceress.

You mean a high priestess.

You mean like the magical advisors in the kingdoms. Those daft women- never.

I don't know, they are regarded as powerful.

And I think that you and I could be something else entirely.

Really Morgana, you believe that we can be as good as them, the prophetic seers.

Yeah well my nightmares are almost as good as their prophecies.

You still have them.

No not as much. I have them rarely now.

But what changed Morgana?

I don't know but I didn't have proper nightmares in a long while, since around the time you joined us I think.

Interesting.

He finally came awake and quickly realized that he was in a cage like place. There were two guards outside and his hands clinked with chains around them. Oddly he didn't feel the fog anymore, his mind clear and ready. He glanced around and saw that neither Gwaine nor Arthur were there.

"Hey where are my friends!"

He shouted towards the guards but only one reply came.

"None of your business so shut it."

He could feel his magic being repressed by the shackles and he growled frustrated by the situation. He could feel the anger boiling over the helplessness and didn't know what to do. Arthur and Gwaine could be anywhere and she could do anything with them and he would be none the wiser.

In his fit he came to the bars, his shackles echoing as he tried to make the guards listen.

"I need to know where they are. Tell me!"

His eyes glowing gold he could feel it boiling over but was still unable to do anything about it. The guards looked startled at his appearance.

"He is a monster." one said.

"A devil. I hope they burn him tomorrow." said the other.

He let the bars go, frustrated with it all and what will become of them. In the next moment he heard a surprised yelp from the guards and then something cluttered to the ground.

"Not on my watch."

His heart skipped a beat and he turned in disbelief hoping that it wasn't some mirage again.

You know no matter what happens I will be by your side Morgana.

Not on my watch. I'll be a powerful sorceress and you, poor warlock, will just bask in awe when I come to your rescue.

I'm sure I would Morgana.

She was fierce and beautiful in her dark dress while her eyes had traces of gold from the spell she cast. She was unbelievable and all he could do was stare in awe. She saw how speechless he was and leaned on her hip as she gestured at herself.

"See, even wore a dress for this."

She was there and what is there to do but state the obvious.

"You're really here Morgana?"

A warm smile was on her face and he couldn't help but smile in return.

"I'm here Merlin."

-oo-