One day, while Morgana and Merlin were visiting Balinor, Morgana decided to ask a question that had recently been playing on her mind. "Do dragons actually have any form of foresight?"

Balinor shook his head. "No, they do not, but Kilgharrah has been around long enough to have heard many prophecies from true Seers like you."

"Though he seems to have no problem inventing extras of his own," Morgana commented acidly.

Balinor grimaced. "Kilgharrah can be as dangerous with words as he is with fang and claw. I will admit, if I had known what would become of the dragon race…Kilgharrah is not the dragon I would have chosen to be the last of his kind. He has led Dragonlords astray in the past, manipulating them into forgetting that they are his lord." Balinor looked at Merlin. "If Arthur ever allows Kilgharrah to go free, you must take care that you do not allow him to lead you astray."

"Don't worry, I haven't been to see him since he tried to turn me against Morgana," Merlin assured.

"Good. Kilgharrah is best kept at arm's length."

Merlin gave Balinor a curious look. "Have you been to see him since returning to Camelot?"

Balinor shook his head again. "No. Much as I long to speak to a dragon again, this one is not worth the risk of sneaking into the city. No doubt he would try to trick me into freeing him."

"Let's not," Merlin agreed.

A few days later, Morgana was chatting with Gwen in her chambers when she suddenly heard a child's scream. She looked around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Gwen asked, confused.

"A child screamed."

Gwen looked at her mistress in concern. "Morgana, no one screamed."

"But…" Morgana looked around again, bewildered.

"There's no child in here," Gwen continued gently. "I think we would have noticed."

Morgana frowned. "I was so sure I heard it…"

"Maybe you've had enough wine for now?" Gwen carefully took the goblet out of Morgana's hand.

"Maybe…" Morgana trailed off as she distinctly heard the child call for help. "There! Surely you heard that?"

Gwen shook her head. "I still don't hear anything."

Help me. Please.

"I can hear the child clear as day, he's begging for help!" Morgana exclaimed.

Please, you have to help me.

"Maybe this is a different kind of vision?" Gwen suggested. "Maybe you're hearing the cries of a child who will need help in the future?"

Help me.

"Maybe," Morgana conceded. "But it doesn't feel like a vision. It feels like…"

They're searching for me.

Faint sounds echoed from the courtyard, and Morgana's eyes widened. She hurried over to the window, where she could see guards searching the square. "The guards are hunting the child right now!"

Why are they after you?

Morgana started at the sound of Merlin's voice. Frantically searching the square, she spotted him standing on the castle steps.

They're going to kill me!

Now Morgana also spotted the child, hiding in the shadow of a cart. She closed her eyes and focused on trying to project her voice with magic. Merlin, bring the child here. The guards will think twice before searching my chambers.

Understood. This way. Run. Run!

"Merlin is bringing the child here," Morgana said aloud. She looked around her room, then went to a far corner and shifted both a screen and a curtain to create a concealed area. Gwen walked over with a pair of blankets and set up a makeshift pallet.

Moments later, Merlin darted into the room, half carrying a woozy-looking boy in a green cloak. Morgana called out to him, and he hurried behind the screen with the boy in tow. Guards pounded on the door. Morgana answered it and denied any knowledge of their quarry, then locked the door and returned behind the screen to see that the boy had collapsed in Merlin's arms. Merlin looked up at her in horror, blood on the hand he had used to grip the boy's arm.

A short while later, Lancelot entered Morgana's chambers. "A pair of druids were seen in Camelot," he announced grimly. "A man and a boy. The man was caught and is to be executed within the hour. Guards are still searching for the boy."

"I trust you've no intention of helping them?" Morgana replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course not. I would never see a child come to harm. I was rather hoping you had a plan to find and aid the boy."

"Already done." Morgana jerked her head toward the concealed corner.

Lancelot heaved a sigh of relief and rounded the screen for a better look. "Is he all right?"

"We hope," Gwen replied, holding a cloth to the boy's wounded arm. "Merlin's gone to fetch bandages."

Merlin did indeed return with bandages, and he carefully wrapped the boy's arm. Soon afterward, drums began for the execution of the older druid. Morgana couldn't bring herself to watch; she walked away from her window and wrapped her arms around the trembling boy. Distantly, she heard the axe fall, and the boy screamed. Morgana's mirror shattered.

That night, Morgana was to dine with Uther. She determinedly held her tongue throughout the meal, fearful that she might let slip her fury and incriminate herself. Uther eventually expressed concerns over her silence, and she forced a smile as she assured him nothing was wrong.

Eventually, Arthur walked in to report that the druid boy was still eluding capture. Uther berated Arthur for his failure, and Arthur voiced his objection to the entire affair. "He's just a boy, what harm can he do?"

"He is a druid, and that makes him dangerous," Uther hissed.

Arthur glanced at Morgana, and suddenly she feared that Uther would remember all the times she had defended the druids in the past. "The druids would see this kingdom destroyed," she spoke up.

Arthur narrowed his eyes at her. "I had no idea you were such an authority on druids."

"Morgana is right. Double your efforts," Uther insisted.

Arthur sighed. "Yes, Father." He gave Morgana another suspicious look as he exited.

Later that night, someone knocked on Morgana's door. Lancelot put a hand on the hilt of his sword and moved behind the screen. Morgana waited until he was out of sight, then cautiously opened the door. "Arthur! Aren't you supposed to be hunting for the druid boy?"

Arthur pushed his way into the room and closed the door. "Morgana, I know full well you don't believe the druids are a threat to this kingdom, and for what it's worth, neither do I. Earlier, I was expecting you to give an impassioned speech in the boy's defense, and I can only think of one reason why you wouldn't. You already know where he is, don't you?"

Morgana folded her arms. "And if I do?"

"Like I told my father, he's just a boy. He's yet to do anything deserving of death."

"Yet?" Morgana repeated angrily. "So you think he will later, if he is not killed now?"

"No, that's not what I meant at all!" Arthur sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Morgana, I can better conceal the boy if I know where he's hiding. I give you my word, this will not reach my father's ears."

Morgana gave him a shrewd look, then jerked her head toward the concealed corner. "The druid boy's hiding behind the screen."

"You're concealing him in your own chambers?!" Arthur exclaimed.

"Do you have a better idea?" Morgana retorted. "It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and moving the boy now would be an even greater risk!"

"Morgana, he can't stay here forever!"

"I know! We have to find a way to get him back to his people. But the boy is wounded, and at the moment I fear he's in no condition to travel."

Arthur sighed again. "I'll make sure I'm the one to search behind your screen tomorrow. Make sure the boy knows not to panic."

"Thank you." Morgana smiled thinly, and Arthur left.

Lancelot emerged from behind the screen, looking troubled. "Even Arthur could not persuade Uther to spare the boy?"

Morgana scowled. "Where magic is involved, Uther will take no one's counsel."

Lancelot glanced at the shattered mirror. "Has anyone outside this room even seen the boy perform magic?"

"Not that I know of, but then I've not been asking."

Lancelot swallowed. "More and more, I find myself glad I have sworn no oath to serve this king."

"You and me both," Morgana agreed.

In the morning, Lancelot went out to (carefully) gather information while Merlin returned to check on the boy's condition. He felt the boy's forehead and immediately frowned in concern. "He's burning up. How long has he been like this?"

"Since early this morning," Morgana replied anxiously. "I think his wound may be infected. Do you…" She swallowed. "Do you think Gaius would help us?"

"Gaius?" Merlin scoffed. "He already forbade me to get mixed up in this. He'd rather I let an innocent child die than do anything to risk my own neck…as if my being in Camelot wasn't already as big a risk as it gets!"

"Well then what do we do?" Morgana demanded. "He needs treatment, or he'll never survive the journey back to his people!"

"I'll…ask my father for a spell to cure infection," Merlin suggested.

"While the guards are suspicious of everyone leaving the city?!" Gwen objected.

"I'm the physician's ward, I collect herbs all the time," Merlin reasoned. "And if some of the herbs I bring back happen to be reagents for a healing spell, well, the guards won't know the difference."

Before anyone could respond, footsteps approached the door. Then someone knocked. Morgana hurriedly closed the curtain and went to answer the door. "Arthur! To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Don't get all excited, it's not a social call. I'm looking for the druid boy. I'm afraid I'm going to have to search your chambers."

"Well, go on then," Morgana said innocently. "I've nothing to hide. And do be quick about it. I've better things to do with my day."

"Of course." Arthur directed the guards to various corners of the room, then walked over to the curtain and poked his head through. There was a long pause, and Morgana belatedly realized that Arthur had not expected to find Merlin there.

"I had no idea you were so interested in my maidservant, Arthur," Morgana called.

Arthur pulled his head back out from the curtain and glared at Morgana. "Of course I'm not interested in your maidservant, merely questioning the propriety of allowing her to hide behind your curtains with her suitor."

"You'd prefer I allow them alone in the antechamber, where they have a bed?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Arthur snapped. "Come on, men, there's nothing here." He led the guards out of the room, shooting one last glare over his shoulder at Morgana.

Morgana returned to the concealed corner, where Gwen was red as a tomato and Merlin looked to be somewhere in between panic and confusion. "Did Arthur already know about this?"

"Yes," Morgana confirmed. "Sorry, I should have warned you."

"Didn't look like he knew I'd be here, though. This'll be fun to explain later…"

"Just tell him I sent for you because of the healing skills you've picked up from Gaius," Morgana suggested. "It's not all that far off from the truth."

Merlin nodded. "I'll do that."

Lancelot returned an hour later. "From what I can tell, the boy was seen entering the castle, but they've had no leads since. And Sir Leon confirmed that no one else has seen the boy perform magic."

Morgana scowled. "So the boy's only known crime is that he was born a druid. If Uther keeps this up, sooner or later the druids will plot against him, if only to protect their children."

"I wouldn't blame them if they did," Gwen agreed.

Merlin finally returned at dusk, carrying a satchel of herbs. "Did you have any trouble?" Morgana asked worriedly.

Merlin shook his head. "No, actually, Sir Leon stepped up and vouched for me before the guards could even search my sack."

"Then what took you so long?"

"Father taught me several spells just in case, and I had to find the right herbs for all of them."

"Well, hurry up," Morgana insisted. "The boy is in a bad way."

"Coming," Merlin agreed, following her behind the screen. Gwen made room for him to kneel at the boy's side. "Now don't worry, you'll be feeling right as sunshine soon enough," Merlin told the boy.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Morgana asked.

"I could use some water and a bowl," Merlin replied.

"I'll fetch the bowl," Lancelot offered. Morgana went and grabbed a pitcher of water from her commode.

Once both requested items had been delivered, Merlin set to work mixing herbs in the bowl. A few minutes later, he spread the mixture over the boy's arm and murmured a spell. Some color instantly returned to the boy's face. Thank you, Emrys.

Morgana looked at Merlin in confusion, but he seemed to have no more idea what the boy was talking about than she did. "Emrys? Why do you call me that?" Merlin demanded.

Among my people, that is your name.

"You know who I am? How?"

The boy's eyes rolled up in his head and he passed out. Merlin pressed a hand to his forehead.

"Is he all right?" Lancelot asked.

Merlin nodded. "The fever has broken. He just needs rest."

"What…what was that about calling you Emrys?" Gwen asked.

"Apparently, that's my name among the druids," Merlin replied, looking thoroughly baffled. "Which makes no sense, seeing as I've never met any druids before."

"Maybe Balinor will know," Morgana suggested. "Once the boy has been safely returned to his people, we can ask him."

The following day, the boy was significantly improved. Lancelot and Gwen spent the day scouting possible escape routes, with little luck. Guards were still searching anyone leaving the town.

Early that evening, Arthur came to Morgana's chambers, accompanied only by Merlin. "Merlin tells me the boy is ready to travel now," Arthur stated. "I know of a secret passage that leads straight to the lower town, unless one of you has a better idea?"

"We'd been having no luck ourselves," Morgana admitted. "The sooner we get the boy back to his people, the better."

Arthur nodded. "I couldn't agree more." He pulled a key off his key ring and looked at Lancelot. "Lancelot, I presume you will be taking the boy through the passage?"

"No, I will," Morgana said quickly. "If Lancelot is caught, he will surely be executed. I'm the only one Uther might spare, and you know it."

Arthur grimaced. "Very well. But I suggest you hand the boy off to Lancelot outside the city walls, else you'll have to explain your absence to my father."

"Good point." Morgana swallowed and held a hand out for the key.

Arthur stepped forward to whisper in her ear as he handed it to her. "Behind the shield at the far end of the armory." He stepped back and raised his voice again. "I'll do what I can to keep the search out of your path tonight. Good luck."

Morgana smiled at him. "Thank you."

Lancelot went to prepare a horse and provisions, while Gwen fetched one of her dresses and cloaks for Morgana to use as a disguise. Morgana dressed herself in the rough clothing, worriedly examining her reflection in the shattered mirror. Then she walked over and knelt before the boy. "We're going to get you out of Camelot. I won't let anything bad happen to you. I promise."

The boy smiled at her. Morgana picked up his cloak and helped him put it on, then held out a hand to help him to his feet.

Carefully, they snuck through the castle, frequently hiding in shadowed alcoves and corners while soldiers walked past. At last, they reached the armory, and Morgana quickly found and opened the secret door. She lifted the boy into the passage, then followed him in.

More soldiers patrolled the lower town. Morgana was able to dodge two patrols by hiding in alleys, then hid from a third by ducking behind a stall in the marketplace. She wrapped her arms around the boy, feeling him quake with terror as footsteps approached. Then the footsteps receded, and Morgana cautiously emerged from their hiding place. She led the boy back out of the marketplace, only to freeze as soldiers approached in front of them. She turned around, but there were soldiers in that direction too. They were trapped. She wrapped her arms around the boy again, feeling him quake with terror once more.

A sword appeared at her back. "Halt, or I'll run you through. Show yourself."

Morgana slowly turned around and found herself face to face with Ewan. His eyes widened as he recognized her, and his sword lowered a fraction. "Let him go, I beg you," Morgana pleaded. "He's just a child."

Ewan hesitated, looking at the guards all around them. When he spoke again, his face was full of regret. "Restrain them."

In the morning, Morgana was brought before Uther. The council chambers were empty but for Uther, Morgana, Arthur, and Ewan—and Lancelot, who insisted his place was at his mistress's side even when she was under arrest.

"All this time, you've been hiding the boy in my own palace," Uther stated with barely restrained fury. "How could you betray me like this?"

"I would not see him executed," Morgana said defiantly.

"I've treated you like a daughter! Is this how you repay me?!"

"You've never deigned to acknowledge me as such." The words were out before Morgana could stop herself. Everyone in the room turned to stare at her: Lancelot with surprise, Arthur and Ewan with confusion, and Uther…Uther looked angry. In that moment, Morgana was certain that he had indeed known all along.

"What did you say?" Uther asked dangerously.

Morgana lifted her chin and glared at him. "You speak of betrayal? You betrayed your so-called best friend when you had an affair with his wife and sired me!"

"Who told you this? They're lying."

Morgana swallowed, knowing she could not admit how she really knew this. Then an idea came to her. "Did my mother lie, when she wrote of the affair? When I went to Tintagel, I found the letter in her own hand."

"And where is this letter now?" Uther demanded.

"I burned it," Morgana replied, a wicked glint entering her eye. "Gorlois is the only father I ever needed or wanted, and he raised me never to allow any child to come to harm, ever! If you did not want me to follow his principles, then you should have claimed me at birth."

"Father, is this true?" Arthur spoke up. "Morgana is my sister?"

Uther swallowed. He looked around the room, nervously eyeing Lancelot and Ewan, then looked back at Morgana. "Who else have you told?"

"No one who would share the information without my say-so," Morgana said dismissively. "But I have told at least one person not in this room, and if they see that you are taking measures to silence me…"

Arthur walked over to stand by Morgana. "Father, you haven't answered my question. Is this true?"

Uther bowed his head. "Yes, it's true," he confirmed, his voice barely above a whisper. Then he lifted his head to glare at Morgana again. "But this does not excuse your actions!"

Lancelot stepped forward to Morgana's other side. "Sire, if I may…"

Uther rounded on him. "You! You are stationed right outside her chambers. You knew about this, didn't you?"

Lancelot bowed his head. "I confess it, Sire, but I truly believed the boy was no threat."

"His people conspire against me!"

"Sire, I cannot say with any confidence that the boy is truly a druid." Lancelot lifted his head again to look Uther straight in the eye. "He was utterly terrified, and he has shown no signs of magic. I believe the boy may have been a hostage, branded by the druids to prevent him escaping."

"And even if the boy is a true druid, we don't know that he's going to do anything against us," Arthur spoke up. "He's so young, it may yet be possible to raise him to reject their ways. Is that not a greater victory against the forces of magic?"

Ewan also stepped forward to join them. "The Knight's Code forbids the harming of children, Sire. If we execute this boy, we are no better than his people."

For a long moment that seemed to stretch out forever, Uther looked around at them all. At last, he bowed his head. "Very well. The boy will live with Gaius, and Gaius will teach him the error of his ancestors' ways. But," and here Uther raised his head to glare at them all again, "if anyone breathes so much as a word of what was revealed here today, the boy will die. And if he shows any sign of magic…" Uther turned to glare directly at Lancelot. "You will die with him."

Ewan was sent to release the boy while Lancelot informed Gaius of the decision. Outside the council chambers, Arthur grabbed Morgana by the arm. "With me," he commanded.

Morgana followed Arthur back to his own chambers, where he shut the door and turned to glare at her. "I presume it was really your uncle who told you the truth?"

Morgana swallowed. She hated to lie to Arthur about something like this, but Arthur had had enough shocking revelations for one day; now was not the time to reveal her magic. "Yes, it was Balinor who told me the truth."

"That was two months ago, Morgana! Why did you never say anything to me?!"

"I didn't know what to say!" Morgana said helplessly. "I wasn't entirely sure I even believed it! I didn't know what to do, or say, or think! The man I have always loved as a father was not my father, and a man who executes innocent children is my true sire! Forgive me, Arthur, but I didn't want to believe it."

"You didn't want to believe we were brother and sister?" Arthur asked quietly.

Morgana broke into a small smile. "That, I hold no objection to. But I could not accept one truth without accepting the other."

"I'm sorry." Arthur swallowed. "More and more, I too find there are times when I look at my—our—father, and think to myself…this is not the kind of king I wish to be."

"You're a better man than he is," Morgana said softly. "You always have been." She wrapped her arms around her brother, and he returned the embrace.

Eventually, Arthur pulled away. "Come on. I want to talk to the boy, and I'm sure you do too."

Inside the physician's chambers, Lancelot and Merlin were rearranging Merlin's bedroom to make room for the boy. The boy sat huddled on the patient cot, curled up into a ball and refusing to acknowledge Gaius's efforts to talk to him.

"Hello," Morgana said softly, sitting down next to him. "I promised I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you, remember? You're safe now."

I'll have to hide my magic, the boy said worriedly.

I do that all the time, Morgana replied, wrapping an arm around him. It's not fun, but it's better than dying.

"I want to offer my sincere apologies for all that you have suffered," Arthur stated. "I argued on behalf of your companion, and I am deeply sorry that I could not persuade my father to spare him. And furthermore, I am also sorry that we could not return you to your people. Know that when I am king, you will be free to return to them if you so desire."

The boy shook his head.

"You'd rather stay in Camelot?" Arthur asked, surprised.

The boy clung to Morgana and nodded. "You are my king," he said, speaking aloud for the first time.

"Careful," Arthur warned. "It is treason to say that while my father lives."

"He is no king of mine. You are my king."

Arthur glanced at Morgana, clearly at a loss for words. She shrugged, equally unsure how to respond.

"If you claim Arthur as your king, perhaps you will tell him your name?" Gaius suggested. It sounded like he'd asked for the boy's name several times already.

The boy glanced at Morgana, who nodded in encouragement. The boy looked up at Arthur. "My name is Mordred."

"It's nice to meet you, Mordred," Arthur replied. "And while I understand that you have no love for my father, you must at least pretend to respect him as your king."

Mordred reluctantly nodded. Arthur smiled at him, then left.

Morgana gave Mordred a curious look. "You wouldn't want to return to your people?"

Mordred swallowed. My mother died two winters ago, and now my father is dead too. You and your friends took care of me. You're my new family.

Morgana smiled. Well, I'd be honored to call you family too.

Later that day, Ewan approached Morgana in a corridor. "If I could have a private word, my lady?"

"Of course." Morgana led him into a nearby empty room. "What's this about?"

Ewan bowed his head. "I want to offer my sincere apologies for what happened last night. It was dishonorable of me to even participate in the search. I allowed my past experiences with magic to blind me to the fact that I was hunting a child, and as a result, I put both you and the child in grave peril. For that, I am truly sorry."

"Apology accepted, Sir Ewan," Morgana said quietly. "You spoke up in the child's defense today. You showed what is truly in your heart."

"I only wish it had not been necessary. Again, I apologize." Ewan paused, then gave her a critical look. "I know you did not truly journey to Tintagel two months past. I presume you lied to protect your real source?"

"Yes," Morgana confirmed. There was certainly no need to mention that she was her own source, especially given Ewan had just admitted he was no great supporter of magic.

"Your secret is safe with me," Ewan assured. He bowed, then left.

When Lancelot returned from helping Mordred settle in, Morgana approached him. "I haven't had a chance yet to say thank you," she told him. "I know you hate lying. That must have been hard for you."

"As you have told me before, sometimes lying is the only way to fight injustice in Camelot," Lancelot replied. "I would rather fight injustice with dishonesty than not at all."

"Thank you," Morgana said again. "It won't be forever."

"I know," Lancelot agreed. "Arthur proved that today. When he is king, I believe that neither of us shall have further cause for dishonesty."

A few days later, they finally took their trip to ask Balinor about Merlin's 'druid name'…and to apprise him of the recent addition to Merlin and Gaius's living situation.

"You actually persuaded Uther to spare a druid boy?" Balinor asked Lancelot, staring at him in disbelief.

Lancelot grimaced. "I gave it my best effort, but I fear it was the possibility of Morgana sharing the truth of her parentage which truly stayed his hand."

"Still," Balinor continued, looking impressed. "Whatever the reason, I've never known Uther to be a man to give in, ever."

"That's not really why we came here, though," Merlin cut in. "The boy called me 'Emrys'. He claims that's what all the druids—why are you looking at me like that?"

Balinor was now staring at Merlin as if he'd never seen him before. "You're Emrys?"

"You've heard the name, then?" Merlin asked hesitantly.

"Heard the name?! It's only the most well-known prophecy ever written! Emrys, the Once and Future King, and the golden age of Albion! You are said to be the most powerful sorcerer ever to walk the earth!"

Merlin swallowed, staring back at his father. "So…no pressure, then?"

Morgana frowned. "This sounds an awful lot like what Kilgharrah tried to tell Merlin when he arrived in Camelot—that Merlin was supposed to help Arthur unite the land of Albion."

"Well of course, Kilgharrah has heard the prophecy too," Balinor replied. "The greatest king and the greatest sorcerer, working together to build a golden age of peace for all. But the prophecies contain no mention of a witch becoming their enemy and bringing about their downfall. It is said they will have a circle of true companions, and only through friendship and loyalty will the golden age be born. I see no reason why you cannot be one of these companions."

Morgana swallowed hard. "Mordred said Arthur was his king. He obviously recognized both Arthur and Merlin as the subjects of the prophecy…and he certainly doesn't seem to hold any objection to me."

Merlin put a hand on her shoulder. "There. See? Proof that Kilgharrah is a big, fat liar. You're our friend. Our family."

Balinor smiled. "I should be proud to see you all bring about the time of the prophecies."