Ok, so here it is the next chapter, it was written on Monday, however, due to email problems and the editors own lives, it wasn't fully edited till today – I'm very, very sorry. Again slightly short but this has another cliffy that I loved – again blame Susie666, she's the one that said I should end it here. There's quite a bit of Uther reference in this chapter and while writing this I only just realised that he never appears, not even in the next chapters!

Plus, now I don't get the sister thing because Morgause is half sisters with Morgana through their father, but then Morgana finds out that her father is actually Uther which makes them no longer related, let alone sisters, yet the writers continue to call them sisters- so in this story they ARE still related (although how? I have no clue - they defiantly were suppose to share a daddy)

Thank you Susie666and KatherineMoonhawk for their time and help – They're fantastic!

And thank you to all the reviews, I hadn't expected so many!

Enjoy!

"What the..." gasped Cendred as he recoiled.

Every eye was on him, unblinkingly, too scared to look away as he stepped forward.

"Merlin..." whispered Arthur, his voice caught in his throat.

Merlin just wasn't 'Merlin' anymore. Everything about him had changed; the manner in which he held himself, the blood splattered all over him that Arthur knew wasn't mixed with even a drop of his, the way his fingers twitched, almost as if he held too much power beneath his skin and was itching to release it. It was certainly confirmed by his eyes, holding such raw magic that it could drive anyone to insanity if they looked into them for too long. There was a harsh voice in the back of his head that he thought, hoped, prayed, didn't utter a single word of truth as it repeated over and over that he was too late, too late and Merlin was gone.

Merlin stared at him and Arthur's heart sank at the absence of any form of recognition. His best friend no longer knew him.

The warlock tilted his head slightly, "who's Merlin?"

He asked it so innocently and yet so malevolently that Arthur felt as though he was going to be sick. Merlin smirked and the voice inside grew louder – he was too late. Too late…

Arthur wondered if someone could be so right and yet so wrong at the same time, because his father seemed to be. For all his life he had been told that magic was the devil's weapon, but … it wasn't, it was pure. Merlin was good- meaning he could use his gifts to do great things, save lives- however, whilst a stranger seeing this may think it was his magic which had corrupted him, it wasn't. It was power, a flaw that many kings had too, and vengeance.

That was when it dawned on him; it wasn't magic that had corrupted the sorcerers, it was his father. The King had caused it all, everything, he hunted them relentlessly and his hatred had poisoned them in return, making them enemies when they could have been good ,and useful friends and allies.

"But you can't have magic," it sounded as if Morgause was arguing with herself and Merlin just took another step forward. "It's not possible," another step… "and definitely not this much power," and another… "you're just an annoying servant boy who won't die."

Merlin just stopped, not quite close enough to touch his enemy though, and looked at her questioningly.

"Have you ever noticed how similar you are to the man you despise?" His tone was calm and held no accusation but the room was still stunned into silence as Morgause stepped back in shock. However, anger soon took over and she closed the space between her and the warlock a little.

"How dare-"

"It's true," Merlin interrupted, more contemplative now. "You're both cruel, both clouded by hatred, neither of you can see what's so clearly in front of you, both underestimate me, both have caused me to lose family, and you both want me dead, although Uther doesn't really know it...have I forgotten anything?...oh yes...and you're also both related to Morgana," and then he chuckled in amusement although Arthur couldn't find anything the slightest bit funny in his words, and apparently neither could the rest of the room. Tense silence settled over them all.

"Merlin, don't do this, I beg you!" Gwen pleaded desperately, but it was no use, he just ignored her and took another step toward his prey.

Morgause held her ground, glaring at him; meanwhile the cowardly king had gone from sitting in his throne to hiding behind it, as if hoping to find protection there. Arthur merely scoffed, how Cendred could think that a wooden chair would stop a sorcerer was beyond him.

The prince felt a nudge at his side and turned to see Morgana looking at him, her eyes pleading for him to help, praying he had a plan. Arthur just shook his head and then motioned with it to his hands, still tied behind his back. His sister looked at them thoughtfully and then turned to Morgause and Merlin, when she turned back to Arthur she looked down at his chains and murmured a few words he didn't recognise and he quickly felt the restraints loosen. He glanced back to Merlin to see if he had noticed anything, however, the warlock seemed too consumed with taking another step toward his kill to notice the use of magic.

Arthur carefully removed the shackles, lowering them to the ground and trying not to make a sound. Gwen was still pleading for Merlin to stop and soon Morgana also joined in, adding more noise and commotion to the room. Merlin took another step forward, and Arthur presumed it was the last, if he took another then their noses would be touching.

He was right, as Merlin lifted a hand to Morgause's shoulder she tensed visibly, and then Merlin leaned in. For a moment Arthur thought the warlock would kiss the sorceress but instead Merlin went to her ear. He whispered something unintelligible to Arthur's ears; however whatever it was left Morgause looking terrified, though she tried to hide it.

As Merlin shifted Arthur took his chance and pounced. With all of his strength he collided with Merlin and took them both down to the ground. Before Merlin could get his bearings Arthur climbed on top of him and desperately held onto his friend's shoulders.

Arthur looked deep into those burning gold eyes and spoke clearly, begging.

"Merlin, please, you're better than this. If you do this then you'll become like them...no...you'll be worse and I don't want that...you don't want that! Merlin, please, I ne-"

Abruptly, his air supply cut off. It was as if some invisible force had taken hold of his throat and squeezed. He let go of Merlin's shoulders and clutched his neck, trying to rip off unseen hands.

Merlin stood up, and it was then that Arthur noticed his clenched fist. He looked up to his friend's eyes and saw only hate...pure hate.

Black dots started to form at the edges of his vision but no matter how hard he tried, no air would flow into his burning lungs. He could distantly hear Gwen's panicked pleas for him to be released but the only thing that was clear to Arthur was that he was going to die, he was going to die at the hands of Merlin, his most loyal servant, his best friend, and that he had failed the warlock.

Maybe if he had got there sooner? Or, perhaps had been the friend that Merlin really deserved? Because if he did die here at Merlin's hand then there was no chance for his friend to return to himself, whether he killed Morgause or not, because Arthur knew the warlock would never forgive himself for the prince's death, even if he did return from this deep, dark side of himself, and would probably drown in guilt.

The Crown Prince of Camelot, Arthur Pendragon, had failed and now he was going to pay the ultimate price.

"Merlin...please..."

And then the darkness swallowed him.

Hope you liked it, please review and hopefully the next chapter will be here soon (fingers crossed)

P.s. I know a lot of you are probably disappointed at the clear lack of punishment for Morgause – but have no fear, it isn't over just yet for her...

LL x