The two made their way down the dark corridor, Arthur's limp had much improved but still, it worried Merlin. More than once Arthur faltered when they dove into alcoved to hide from the increasing number of guards. Quietly they laid down on the floor on the balcony above the throne room, peering through the wooden rungs. A large crowd of men, baring a red tree on black filled the room. They were not Cenred's men, at least, that wasn't his crest. They bit their lips as Uther was forced to kneel in front of Morgause, perhaps the symbol was hers. He had been right, she was behind this, probably used Cenred to her advantage. He wondered where the evil king was.

"Well Uther, how the mighty have fallen" She grinned, the princes bit down on their fists in order to keep quiet.

"I don't think you will be needing this anymore" She grinned, taking the crown from Uther's head.

"This is unlawful, you cannot do this!" He hissed before bellowing, "You have no right to the throne!"

"No" came a cool, perfectly smooth voice. It sent a stab of pain through Merlin's heart. That voice was once kind and gentle, now it held no warmth, just bitterness. Morgana stepped out from the shadows, she looked as beautiful as ever, even with the evil smirk on her face.

"But I do, I am your daughter after all" She smiled, her pale white dress clashed with the darkness of the rest of the room, "Sister?"

Morgause smiled, Merlin gaped. Morgause and Morgana, they couldn't be...

Morgana sat on the throne, Morgause pushed Geoffery forwards, in his hands was an old and disused crown. Made for a queen. Nobody had donned that since Ygraine's death.

"By the power vested in me" Geoffery began, Merlin could tell he hated every word, "I crown thee, Morgana Pendragon, Queen of Camelot"

"We can't let her do this!" Arthur whispered, Merlin held him back.

"Those soldiers are immortal you'll be cut to ribbons!" He whispered, "You're no use dead, come on, we need to find the others, we'll think of a plan"

...

Merlin ran through the trees, desperately trying to evade Morgause's henchmen. Luckily he knew the forest well and managed to lose them by ducking under a ridge. A week. An entire week had pasted since Morgana had been crowned queen and it had not been easy. Finding a place to stay was no difficult, the cave was adequate, but not comfortable. He had managed to learn from his brief trips to the lower town that Cenred was dead, his forces completely under Morgause's control. However the prince was now a wanted man, he couldn't stay to find out much more. Now he only ventured forth to gather merge food or water.

Merlin scrambled into their home away from home, panting for breath, he handed Elyan the satchel of berries and nuts he'd been able to gather in exchange for the water gourd. Unfortunately it was empty.

"I'll get more" Elyan offered, Merlin shook his head.

"It's too dangerous" He insisted, "Morgause's men are everywhere"

...

Uther watched, helplessly from his place in the cell as his people were shot with cross bows. Morgana had made out that she was going to shoot the knights for not pledging allegiance to her, then turned on the people. They were only now clearing the bodies away. The heavy iron doors clicked and he turned to see Morgana walk in, smiling happily.

"Father" She greeted cooly

"Why are you doing this?" Uther asked, desperate to understand

"You of all people should understand" She said simply, "Sometimes such measures are necessary"

"Those people, were innocent!" He exclaimed, pulling on the chains that bound him to the wall.

"As were so many that you put to death" She sneered

"If you must kill some one, kill me" He begged, his heart had been cracked and on the verge of breaking ever since her betrayal, he was barely holding on.

"You'll get your wish, but not yet" She replied in hushed tones, "I want you to suffer as I did, to be alone and afraid"

"Do you really hate me so much?" The king had wanted to ask that since the first moment of her deceit. She turned, ready to leave, gracing him with her presence for only a few extra seconds.

"You cannot begin to know how much a I hate you"

...

Arthur sat on the ground, his leg was almost completely healed now but for some reason all his intensive and motivation was gone. He wondered if his father was still alive, surely he was, if he was dead he'd of heard about it by now. His vision of the cave wall was suddenly interrupted by Merlin's kneeling form, holding out a bowl for him.

"It's rat" He grinned

"Leave me in peace Merlin" Arthur sighed, "Please"

"Come on Arthur" Merlin urged, "We need to protect Camelot"

"We cannot, defeat an immortal army!" Arthur argued, "You can't kill something that's the living dead!"

"Living dead..." Merlin mused his eyes widening as he jumped to his feet, dropping the dried meat as he went, "You can't kill something that's already dead!"

"Yes Merlin well done!" Arthur yelled sarcastically

"No Arthur don't you see?" He gaped, "We can kill something that's already dead! Well you can"

"What are you talking about Merlin?" Arthur asked getting a little concerned that the lack of food was getting to his brother.

"The wraith Arthur" Merlin sighed, "The special sword, remember I made it for you and it could kill the living dead so maybe-"

"It can kill the members of Morgana's immortal army!" Arthur finished, jumping to his feet and unsheathing the sword, he took it everywhere with him, his smile didn't last long though, "Well, one sword isn't going to work"

"One sword is all we need" Merlin insisted, we sneak into the castle, using the sword as protection, find the cup of life and use the sword to break the enchantment, I'll bet spilling the blood isn't enough. Using the sword will guarantee we stop Morgana's army"

"How will we do ti though, get into the castle?" Arthur asked finally, Merlin was stumped.

"I don't know if it will make much of a difference but we could help"

The princes looked up to see Lancelot and a man they did not recognize standing in the doorway.

"I decided the best place to look for Gwaine was to find the most trouble possible, he'd be in the middle of it" Lancelot grinned, "I was right"

"Man it's good to see you!" Gwaine laughed clamping him on the back, "Though did you have to replace me so fast?"

The group laughed, for the first time in a week.

"This is Percival" Lancelot introduced, "He's been great company and he want to help"

Arthur felt his energy returning, maybe, just maybe they could do this. They spent the next few hours planning, they would go to the abandoned castle on the outskirts of the city. There would be supplies there, old weapons true but weapons none the less. The moved out at dusk, ready to use cover of darkness. Suddenly a twig snapped, the group froze only to see a grinning Sir Leon and Gwen appear over the ridge. She practically flew into Arthur's arms. He was so, so glad to see her safe.

The castle was daunting, but it would do. They would spend the night planning and then they would set off. They would take down the army, they would reclaim their kingdom and they would save their father.

And Arthur had a feeling that with his brother by his side, he could do anything.

Sorry this last bit is a tad rushed but honestly I really just want to get to the battle I've written up in my head. I've had the battle with the immortal army and the breaking of Uther's spirit planned since January. JANUARY!

I really just want to get on with it but there is so much build up to be written! ARGH