Chapter 16: Battery Recharge

Early Hours of Saturday Morning

For a while they drove in silence; with only the swooshing of the car tyres on the wet road and the occasional squeak of the windscreen wipers to be heard over the purr of the engine. Morgana stared out of the passenger window onto a dark and unusually quiet city, seeing only the rain-blurred lights from distant houses, street lamps and the other cars.

Frustrated, she turned away to look at the tatty mobile phone in her lap, only now beginning to comprehend how much her life had just been changed. She recognised none of the names programmed into its basic menu, which made her realise that the unplanned swap would prevent her from calling Arthur or Gwen. For someone who was regularly teased for not using her phone enough, it was ironic just how much she was already missing it. She never had been good at remembering phone numbers as a child and, in this day and age, there had been little reason to do so. She closed her eyes and frowned, desperately trying to recall something of her brother's number: A six... a couple of sevens...

She sighed loudly and gave up the attempt, turning instead to look at the back seat where Mordred had now fallen asleep, exhausted from his adventures and his Gauntlet's strong setting.

She glanced from him to Merlin, thinking about what Percival had said about the three of them pretending to be related. The idea hadn't surprised her as much as it had her boyfriend, as one of her first thoughts on seeing Mordred had been just how much the two had looked alike. But, it was more than that, she realised. She had felt an instant connection to the pair just as soon as she'd met them and, even now, there seemed to be more to the sensation than was logical given their relatively brief relationship.

Morgana shook her head, trying to make some sense of that thought. When she looked at Merlin and Mordred she experienced an overwhelming sense of warmth and 'rightness', over an above what she would previously have described as love. Why was that? Was it perhaps due to the three of them having this strange, undefinable type of magic?

So, was this to be her future now? A life with Merlin and Mordred; a ready-made husband and son? Not so long ago, such domestic thoughts would have frankly terrified her, but now she caught herself thinking that it was a shame that Mordred wasn't actually theirs. What if she were to marry Merlin? What if they were to have a child of their own?

But no, that was not the sort of future she had planned for herself. She had had a good, well paid job and a comfortable life, now made so much better by the release of her magic. Did she really have to give all of that up for this uncertainty? Her mind may just have wandered to some romantic idea of 'Happily Ever After' but the reality was quite different. She was on the run with an escaped prisoner and, if they were caught...?

"Perhaps Arthur won't say anything," she whispered to Merlin, breaking the long silence. "Perhaps he's going to pretend that he wasn't there and will be expecting us to turn up to work on Monday as usual. What if he tries to call us? What if we could have persuaded him to side with us?"

"You don't know him very well, do you?" Merlin replied, sadly.

She glared at him. "I've known him my whole life."

"Yeah? Then you should know that his loyalty to your father is absolute and, even if he did have some understanding of our motives – some desire to change things – he would only ever work within the system, and certainly wouldn't approve of us having broken the law to achieve our aim."

"We are not criminals!"

"Ah, strictly speaking, we are. In truth you have been ever since you let me change the settings on your Gauntlet." It was his turn to sigh. "And, even if our part in this could be kept quiet, Mordred is most definitely going to be hunted and it's vital that we get him as far away from Camelot as possible – as soon as possible."

She frowned, trying to make sense of that comment. There had been other reactions from him, she remembered, things that didn't quite add up at the time. Up until now she'd assumed Merlin felt the same way about the boy as she did – felt the same strong connection and had wanted him safe - but now she wasn't so certain.

"He makes you uneasy." It wasn't a question. Just a surprising, sudden realisation.

"Yes."

She waited for Merlin to elaborate but he didn't, simply focusing on the road ahead.

"Why?" she pushed.

Another, very long pause.

"There are divisions appearing within Eden," he replied eventually. Carefully. "Different ideas about what Mordred represents."

"I don't understand. He's just a child."

"A child with power not far off my own and with an upbringing that has been considerably more chaotic. If he'd been found earlier – if we'd been able to raise him in the right way - then perhaps..."

"Eden doesn't know of his family?" she asked.

"No. And it's one of the first things I need to ask him when we're more settled."

At times like this, Morgana felt that the pair really were related, despite knowing that wasn't possible. She felt it might explain the way Merlin was with Mordred; determined to keep him safe but also reluctant to show his feelings for him.

"And so, in this case, he was to be rescued because of his magic rather than his vulnerability?" she guessed.

"That was the nature of the division, in fact, the question as to whether he was indeed the most vulnerable prisoner within Camelot. The other problem was the prophecy regarding his future..." Merlin shook his head. "... or if it was his future at all. To keep him in Camelot where he could be a danger or to take him away and teach him to control his abilities."

"Don't you mean, where he could be in danger?"

Merlin shook his head. "I'm not sure Mordred's life was ever under threat."

She heard the unexpected emphasis but could make no sense of it. "What are you trying to say, Merlin?"

He looked up into the rear-view mirror then, checking on the sleeping Mordred, before shaking his head. "Later. We're nearly there now, anyway."

"So, who is this Gwaine?" she asked.

"Another of our London contacts. A bit of a maverick." He grinned. "Someone who has never done anything within the system if he could possibly help it."

She smiled back. "Wouldn't get along with my brother then?"

"Possibly not." He looked back up at the mirror. "You all right, Mordred?"

Morgana turned too, noting that the boy was now awake. Mordred nodded but didn't say anything, just blinking sleepily. She wondered at him being so quiet - of having talked so little - but knew now wasn't the ideal time to try to get him to open up.

"Right, I think this is it," Merlin said, pulling into a driveway which lead to a tall, ugly tower block.

"And why have we come here?" she said, pulling a face at the state of the place.

"Just to get our story in order, really. Collect some official papers, that sort of thing. Hopefully, assuming our departure has gone undetected by Camelot and the Knights, we can stay here for the rest of the night and make a fresh start tomorrow."

"To Eden?"

"Heading that way, yes." Merlin frowned. "Mordred needs to be there." He drove towards the car park and headed towards a space.

"And me?"

Once parked, Merlin put the handbrake on and turned to her, taking her hands in his. "I'm sorry, Gana, I forgot how much of an upheaval this must be for you. I've never stayed in one place for long and was always prepared to leave at a moment's notice but, of course, it's very different for you." He sighed. "Perhaps that's something we can talk about tonight. See exactly what Eden is suggesting for me next and discuss what it is you want to do now."

She nodded and accepted his gentle kiss, before helping to get their bags out of the car and heading towards the entrance, where a pale, flickering light illuminated a figure lounging carelessly against the door frame. Morgana held back as she took a look at the shabby tower block and worried at the rough neighbourhood they had just entered.

"Don't worry, that's Gwaine," Merlin explained. "He's obviously come down to meet us."

"Hi there, Merlin," the man called out. "I thought you'd appreciate an escort at this time of night." He nodded over to the left where a few other shadowy figures lurked ominously. "Some of my neighbours are a bit colourful, to say the least."

"Why are you living here of all places, Gwaine?" Merlin asked. "I'm sure we can find better accommodation for you."

"Nah, this place suits me well enough. The people may be a bit rough around the edges but they can also be very useful and I'm able to blend in here pretty well myself."

"I don't doubt that. Gwaine, this is Morgana and the boy is Mordred."

"All the Ms." He held out a hand to her and she nervously reached out for it, not quite sure what to make of this man. He grasped it in surprisingly gentle fingers and raised it to his lips to kiss. "An honour, my lady." She raised a questioning eyebrow. "I have been told of you and your family," he continued. "But, now I've seen you I admit to being in awe. I feel as if royalty has come to visit my humble abode."

"Don't overdo it, Gwaine," Merlin muttered as he walked forwards, one arm around Mordred's shoulder.

"Me?" Gwaine asked, his hand to his chest in mock surprise. "When have I ever overdone anything." Merlin scoffed loudly. "Hi, kiddo. Nice to meet you."

Morded also viewed Gwaine suspiciously but, after a nod from Merlin, took the offered hand to shake.

Gwaine ushered them into a damp and smelly entrance hall and up some equally unpleasant looking stairs. "Sorry it's a bit of a walk to the fifteenth floor but the lift is broken... again."

"Great!"

"Keeps me fit. You staying tonight?"

"I did really want to get out of Dodge," Merlin said. "But we're all tired for different reasons so I don't think we could continue anyway."

"You're far enough from Camelot not to be in any immediate danger and I gather you switched cars and phones with Perce?"

"Yeah, he definitely got a good deal out of mine," Morgana complained.

Gwaine laughed. "I'm sure. Still, better safe than sorry. Here we are..."

The corridors up here weren't much better than the ground floor ones, and the doors looked just as shabby but, once inside, things improved and the flat was very much nicer than Morgana had anticipated.

"Fancy anything before you sleep?" Gwaine asked. "I've soup and bread if you want."

"I think I'm just going to crash, actually Gwaine," Merlin said. "I had to use a lot of transporting magic earlier and Mordred is still wearing a mostly unmodified Gauntlet. Honestly we all just need to sleep."

The boy held up his wrist towards Merlin, hopefully.

"Tomorrow, Mordred. I really don't have the energy now. Trust me, it's best to wear it for a few more hours than risk me messing with it in my current state, and at least it means you'll sleep well."

Mordred pouted, moving closer to Morgana and looking up at her as if hoping she might be able to change Merlin's mind. As much as she hated to see the boy in such obvious discomfort, she realised that this was not the time to push the point and was honestly far too tired to argue anyway.

"I think he's right, Mordred. Let's sleep first and worry about everything else tomorrow." The boy gave a resigned sigh and moved even closer, as if seeking her protection.

"How to you want to deal with the sleeping arrangements?" Gwaine asked Merlin.

"I want both of them close to me," he replied. "Morgana's making good progress but I'd rather she stayed close, just in case her magic misbehaves."

"You three can have my bedroom then," Gwaine said, not teasing them as Morgana had suspected. "And I'll sleep out here on the sofa. There's my bed in there, plus a camping bed, sleeping bags and lots of blankets. Entirely up to you how you arrange yourself. Bathroom's through that door, there."

"Thanks, Gwaine."

Mordred headed to the bathroom whilst the adults went into the bedroom, lit only by one weak light on the bedside table. The room was a moderate size with one small, single bed and a fitted wardrobe running the length of one wall. They looked around, taking note of all the camping equipment and blankets Gwaine had left out and tried to decide what to do.

"Mordred might as well have the bed," Morgana said. "Seeing he's been in a prison cell these last couple of nights."

"Yes, that makes sense," Merlin agreed, nodding at the boy as he walked back into the room. Mordred looked half-asleep already and walked, trance-like, over to the bed and clambered on. "You want the camping bed, Gana?"

She shook her head. "Why don't we just pile the blankets up and sleep on the floor next to each other."

Merlin's smile was suddenly far more relaxed than she had seen for several hours as he started to gather up the items Gwaine had left out for them. Coming back from the bathroom, Morgana went over to the bed to check on Mordred to find him already fast asleep. She rearranged the bed-covers a little and gently stroked the boy's hair before making her way to the pile of blankets which Merlin had just arranged.

The pair exchanged a brief, chaste kiss and then quickly snuggled down on the surprisingly comfortable heap, tight in each other's embrace.

"You all right?" Merlin whispered.

"I'm not sure. It's all a bit of a shock."

"Yeah, I know. Sorry."

"Not your fault. I did ask to be involved, after all." Her eyes felt so heavy she was unable to keep them open. "We really do have so much to talk about but, as you said, this will probably all be a lot easier in the morning."

"That's true." He gently kissed the top of her head. "Goodnight."

This last month had been such a whirlwind of passion that there had been few occasions where the couple had just slept next to each other and Morgana had to admit that it was wonderful to simply cuddle close. Seeing they were on the run with a child to care for, she assumed it was something she needed to get used to.

Saturday Morning

Although Morgana slept straight through, Mordred obviously woke up at some point as, when Gwaine came in the following morning, it was to find all three of his guests asleep on the pile of blankets; the boy cocooned protectively in-between the two adults.

"Something wrong with my bed?" their host teased.

Morgana sat up, surprised to find they had company and exchanged a look with Merlin.

"Mordred's had a tough time of it lately," he said. "I think he just wanted the company."

"I imagine so." Gwaine smiled broadly. "Breakfast whenever you're ready, and feel free to rummage in the cupboards for a change of clothes. Should have something for all sizes in there."

Merlin looked over at the impressively big wardrobe and blinked. "Ah right, thanks."

The visitors washed and then changed into some clean trousers and shirts of surprisingly good quality. They emerged into the main living room of the flat to be greeted by the alluring smells of freshly brewed coffee and warm toast, and hurried over to the table by the window enthusiastically, exceptionally hungry after being on the run all night.

"Good view up here," Merlin observed in-between mouthfuls.

"Another reason I like this place," Gwaine said, waving an arm towards the window, which showed amazing views of London from the fifteenth floor.

Merlin nodded. "Have you heard anything from Eden this morning?"

"Yes, they're already making plans to get some more people in to occupy the places you left."

"Already?" Morgana said. "I mean, we haven't even tried to contact Arthur yet. He did let us go, after all, so I thought perhaps we could talk to him."

Gwaine turned a look of surprise towards Merlin, who shrugged. "He was there waiting for us when we freed Mordred. I'm still not sure if he suspected either of us in the first place or just decided to take security matters into his own hands, guessing that Eden would be keen to have the boy released quickly." He shook his head. "Arthur understood that better than his father, simply because he was so shocked by Mordred's young age."

"And yet you don't think it's worth trying to contact him?" she pushed. "Or Gwen? Perhaps we could..."

"Not now, Morgana," he interrupted. "Not while we're this close to Camelot. Perhaps later." He turned to Gwaine. "So who's going in?"

"Lancelot."

"Really? But he's only a Yellow."

"Well, yes but, at the moment, there's no hope of us getting anyone else out. We just wanted someone in there who could tell us what's going on."

"Will he be suspected?" Morgana asked.

Gwaine shook his head. "He's been working there already. He now just needs to get himself promoted. He's full of charm, that one, so I doubt it'll be a problem."

"Isn't there any way we can contact Arthur secretly?" she pushed. "Find out what he's thinking about all this?"

"Perhaps," Merlin said, biting his lip as he contemplated their options. "But first we need to get ourselves safe and take Mordred to Eden. At the moment there's nothing more important than that."

"It's true," Gwaine agreed. "Despite the difference of opinion regarding the boy's part in the prophecy, no one questions his need to be there - in a magical centre where he can be kept safe and properly trained."

Mordred pulled a face.

"What is this prophecy, anyway?" Morgana asked.

"Add that to the long list of things we need to talk about later," Merlin said before turning back to Gwaine. "Talking of which, we really should start getting ready to move."

"Already?" Morgana asked.

"Probably best," Gwaine replied. "We're fairly certain your exit wasn't noticed but it's better not to take any chances."

She sighed. "I suppose"

"Although I do need to look at Mordred's Gauntlet before we go," Merlin said. "And I need to beg a spare phone off you if I can, Gwaine?"

"Alright. One with the usual contacts in it?"

"No, a completely empty one."

Gwaine looked as if he was going to ask another question but obviously changed his mind and shrugged. "Whatever you say."

Mordred held his wrist up to Merlin again, expectantly.

"Yes, I'll adjust it," Merlin replied to the silent request. "But no magic, Mordred, do you hear? This is just to help you recover. There are no shields here and we can't risk alerting the Knights." Mordred shrugged and nodded his compliance.

"Can I watch?" Morgana asked. "Try and see what it is you're doing to it?"

"That's a good idea, actually. You've now developed enough skill that you might start to understand more."

"I'll leave you to it then," Gwaine said. "But help yourself if you need anything – no need to ask. Anything I have here is yours."

~o~0~o~

A/N: Apologies for being so quiet. I usually do like to include the odd comment here and there and interact with all my wonderful readers, but things have been a bit tough recently and I've just been putting my head down and working really hard to make sure I can keep up with the weekly updates.

Things are better now and I'm back to being comfortably ahead on this fic and more confident of its direction. So I just wanted to say a belated thanks to all of your reviews and follows and I shall try to respond a little more from now on. Saying that, most of the questions you've been posing these last few chapters are due to be answered soon anyway, so just sit back and enjoy the ride. :D

Currently this looks like being about 24 actual chapters with a possible epilogue. And, yes, there's definitely options for a sequel, although I've not got any specific plans yet.

Jaq