A/N: Well...hello. Um. Wow. Long time no see? I really abandoned this story for like four months now. I honestly didn't mean to do that : I generally apologize to everyone reading this story. I was literally suppose to have this chapter finished and out before my trip to San Francisco, which was back in July. I FEEL SO SHITTY. I'm honestly sooooo sorry guys. I don't even have a good excuse aside from college starting up again, procrastination and writers block all rolled up in one shitty ball.

Anyways, I'm back! I promise I did not abandon this story for good. I actually have a lot of ideas for it that I'm excited to write. I just don't know why I struggled so hard with this chapter cause I knew what I wanted to write, THE WORDS JUST REFUSED TO COME TO MY BRAIN. But yeah, just know I slaved over this chapter for quite a while, so hopefully it's extra long? On google docs it's about 13 pages soooooo...I just hope it's good enough? Especially after such a long wait.

HOWEVER, I want to thank everyone for being soooooo patient with me. I also want thank each and every one of you that left a review/kudos and said nice things. They made my heart to warm to know that you guys want more chapters and motivated me more to finally finish this chapter. (: I appreciate all you lovely readers.3 I hope you enjoy, please leave me some nice reviews to read and tell me your thoughts! I love to hear from you guys!

Music I listened to while writing:
Captain America: The Winter Soldier Soundtrack: Hydra by Henry Jackman
Captain America: The Winter Soldier Soundtrack: Fallen by Henry Jackman
Destiny 2 Soundtrack Track 16: Leviathan
Destiny 2 Soundtrack Track 18: Holliday

S/N: The Title is inspired from the song Human by Rag'n'Bone Man (Good song, 10/10 would recommend)

Chapter Four: Don't Put Your Blame On Me

"If you don't mind me asking, Lady Morgana," Agravaine paused, straightening as he stared at Morgana hunched over a table with maps, books, and papers laid out all across it. When she didn't say anything, he continued, "What exactly are you planning to do with Emrys?"

Morgana didn't answer, she seemed to take to ignoring him instead, which in a way, aggravated him.

"We've had him locked up for days now." Agravaine stepped up closer, hesitant, "We only have so much time until someone or perhaps I should say, Arthur, comes looking for him or possibly Guinevere and the knights of Camelot."

Morgana huffed out a laugh, straightening her back. She didn't look to Agravaine, only down at the scattered papers in front of her, "Arthur's dead and Guinevere, no matter if Merlin is her friend or not, she wouldn't send knights to look for a mere servant, especially after the death of their king."

"We do not know for sure if Arthur is truly dead." Agravaine's voice sounded strained, "And you mustn't underestimate Guinevere. Previously being a servant makes her overlook the social classes. I only tell you this, so you'll be careful. Camlann was dangerous enough. Need I remind you that you were almost killed?"

Morgana rolled her eyes, annoyed. Agravaine's presence did that to her, yet she knew his words were true. Instead of admitting it, she said, "It takes a lot to kill me, Agravaine. You know that."

"That doesn't mean you should be reckless." He murmured quietly and Morgana let silence hang in the air for a moment as she studied a particular book in front of her.

It seemed Agravaine couldn't handle it because it only took a second more of the silence before he broke it by saying, "So, about Emrys…-"

"I have plans for him." Morgana said sternly, cutting him off, "I just have yet to put them in place."

"What exactly are these...plans of yours, M'lady?"

Morgana took in a deep breath to calm herself as she turned slowly to face Agravaine. "Once I find what I'm searching for, Emrys will no longer be the powerful sorcerer the Druids claim him to be."

Agravaine gave her a puzzled look as she pushed past him, searching the book shelves along the far wall of the room. "And what is it that you're searching for?"

Morgana scanned the books on the shelves, her right index finger tracing along the spines of the books before she plucked one from its place and opened it, her eyes reading the ancient texts written there. She walked back towards the table, flipping the delicate pages before regarding Agravaine with a devious smirk playing on her lips. "Tell me, have you ever heard of The Stone of Asherah?"

Little sunlight filtered in from the window too high up for Merlin to reach. The air in the cells was stale and cold. Merlin had yet to see Morgana again. He'd been left alone in the cells for days or possibly even weeks. He honestly had no idea how long he'd been there. It was difficult to tell what time of day it was in the confines of the stone walls, so Merlin gave up awhile ago trying to figure it out.

He tried several times to use his magic, yet each time he failed miserably. The shackles locked on his wrists didn't budge, despite his many attempts at trying to break them. He'd bang them against the stone walls, willing them to crack, but it was to no avail.

Nothing worked. Unless he somehow managed to find the key to unlock them, but that didn't seem very likely considering his position.

Merlin was sat against the stone wall of the cell, his eyes often flickering up to the window as it was really the only source telling him it was daytime. He moved, his limbs aching and his wrists screaming at him. The shackles squeezed his wrists and caused his skin to become raw and bleed. Merlin longed to sleep in a bed and to have a warm blanket wrapped around him. He also longed for a hot meal and a pitcher full of cold water-

A growl erupted from his stomach. Merlin pressed one of his palms against it and sighed. He was so hungry and thirsty. Sometimes a guard of some kind would bring him some water, but never food. Gods, he wanted to eat something so bad.

Merlin shook his head, getting the thoughts of a fully cooked chicken with spices and fruits out of his mind before his mouth had a chance to start watering. He rubbed his face and couldn't help but sigh.

Merlin tried to keep his hopes up, but with each day that seemed to crawl by, he felt that hope slowly being withered away.

He stared down at the shackles locked around his wrists. He studied them, like he had been for the past couple of days. The designs engraved on them seemed ancient, but Morgana had said they were forged back in the Great Purge. Merlin shivered at the thought of other sorcerers being chained up with these and murdered in cold blood. He wondered why Morgana hadn't killed him yet, not that he wanted her to. He was actually relieved he hadn't seen much of her since his arrival, but then again, that only left him to anticipate whatever she was planning, if anything at all.

Merlin glared at the iron bars caging him. They were the only things between him and freedom, never mind the shackles. He huffed out a breath, clenching his fists before his anger faded. It didn't do anything except exert the already exhausted energy he had left in him.

He often thought of Camelot. He missed Gaius and the Knights. He missed the town and its bustling people. He missed the halls of the castle and the way they smelled of fresh laundry and stone. He missed pulling pranks with Gwaine and hanging out with Lancelot in the fields where the wildflowers grew. He missed picking herbs for Gaius and the late night talks about magic with him. However, most of all, Merlin missed Arthur. He missed hearing him bark orders at him. He missed the long list of duties Arthur threw at him everyday. He missed waking him up and even dragging him from his bed in the mornings. He missed the way Arthur's nose would crinkle when he didn't understand something. He missed the long, early rides they would go on sometimes. Just the two of them. He mostly missed the way Arthur and him use to banter back and forth, like they weren't just a King and a servant, but best friends.

Merlin shut his eyes for a moment, leaning his head back against the stone wall he was leaning up against. Arthur was the only thing on his mind of late. The constant unknowing if his King was still alive nagged at his very being, driving him mad. It was frustrating to know he couldn't do anything.

Merlin inhaled shakily and then exhaled as he moved his restricted hands slowly into his lap. He absentmindedly felt along his tattered pants, realizing something was in his pocket. He reached in carefully and withdrew a circular object. He lifted it to inspect it closely, but upon realizing what it was, his heart lurched.

Merlin stared down at the pendant in his hands, the metal cool to the touch and smooth. Arthur's mother's sigil was imprinted onto it. Seeing it stirred his emotions. He remembered when Arthur had given it to him and from that day forward, he'd never left his chambers without it. Merlin swiped his thumb across the metal, feeling its grooves.

He wondered if he'd ever see Arthur again and the thought scared him.

A noise disrupted his thoughts, startling him. The familiar creaking of the wooden doors leading into the room had him scrambling to hide the pendant away and standing to his feet. He stepped forward, gripping the cold, iron bars and tried looking out to see who had entered.

Morgana rounded the corner and Merlin's face fell into an unreadable look at the sight of her. She looked just as she had the last time he'd seen her, yet now she held a bright, red apple in one of her hands.

"Hello Merlin." She greeted, standing just far enough away from the cell, her cold eyes trained on him. "I'm surprised to see you still standing."

Merlin remained silent. He wouldn't play her games. His eyes flickered to the apple she rolled from one hand to the other before quickly snapping away. This seemed to amuse her.

"The silent treatment, huh?" She teased and the expression on her face told Merlin just how much power she thought she held over him. "Come on, tell me, how've you been?"

Morgana stepped closer, lifting the apple, "Hungry, I imagine."

Merlin refused to look at the apple she was so clearly taunting in front of him. He only fixed her with a hard glare.

"Aw, don't give me that look. Here. Take it." Morgana extended her hand out toward him. The apple looked so fresh and delicious that Merlin felt his stomach growling in protest. Gods, he wanted to eat something so bad, but what if it was poisoned or-

"It won't hurt you." Morgana spoke as if reading his thoughts, "If I'd have wanted to kill you, you'd've been dead a long time ago."

"You seem so sure about that." Merlin suddenly spoke, surprising himself.

"So he speaks." Morgana's eyebrows lifted in mock surprise and she chuckled. Her eyes flickered to the apple in her hand and then back up to Merlin's own eyes. "Are you going to take it or not? I know you must be starving."

"As if I want anything from you."

Morgana's expression fell to one of annoyance. "Fine." She muttered and let the apple slip from her fingers. It fell to the stone floor and rolled into Merlin's shoes. He didn't flinch nor reach down to pick it up.

"If you have no intention of killing me, then why am I still here?" He questioned, his grip on the bars tightening. Morgana didn't answer him, instead she turned, seeming satisfied with her visit. She began to walk away and Merlin felt his anger and frustration beginning to rise again after trying to suppress it for days now. He stared after her, watching her leave. His only hope to getting any answers just walking away. Once she walked back up those stairs, he may never see her again for days or weeks. Anxiety spiked his heart rate and he felt himself starting to panic.

Desperate to stop her from leaving, Merlin blurted out, "Arthur's coming for me!"

Morgana stopped dead in her tracks and despite the coldness of the cell, sweat trickled down the back of Merlin's neck.

"Arthur's coming for me." Merlin repeated, this time the words sounded defiant. Reassuring, at least to himself. "You know he'll come for me, Morgana."

Morgana didn't turn around. Her posture went rigid and tense at the mention of Arthur.

"Arthur would never leave me behind." Merlin continued, knowing he'd hit a nerve on Morgana, "He's-"

Morgana whirled around, screaming, "HE'S DEAD!" The stone walls shook, dust scattering at the flare of magic she momentarily released. She stalked forward and gripped the iron bars that stood between her and him. Merlin glared at her head on. Morgana's eyes held the kind of hatred that Merlin had never seen before in someone. He wondered when she had become so lost.

Her knuckles turned white with how hard she gripped the bars and in a low, deadly voice full of hatred with just a hint of satisfaction, she growled out, "Arthur's dead."

Merlin tried not to let his emotions flicker in his eyes, but Morgana must have seen something because a moment later, a satisfied smirk graced her lips and she let her hands fall away from the iron bars. She turned on her heel, her dark hair swishing with the motion as she began to walk away once more.

"I have big plans for you, Merlin." She called out over her shoulder, "Just you wait. You're gonna wish I'd killed you instead."

There was a pause as Morgana stopped briefly in front of the stairs, craning her head to peer over her shoulder at Merlin. "Arthur's not coming. Your beloved king is dead."

When the creak of the wooden door told Merlin she'd left, he let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. He stumbled back away from the bars of the cell and into the stone wall behind him. The stone was cool against his back and he exhaled hard, lifting his hands to stare at his palms. They trembled softly.

He looked up, noticing the apple that sat on the stone floor. He reached down and picked it up a bit reluctantly, inspecting it for a moment. It seemed fresh and his mouth watered at the thought of finally having something to eat, but again, he couldn't trust Morgana.

He sat down on the floor with the apple, staring at it and debating if he should eat it. His stomach let out a massive growl and he groaned. This could be the only food he gets for days, he needs to eat it. Damn the thought of it being poisoned. He'll just have to take Morgana's word on it as much as he didn't want to.

Merlin lifted the apple to his lips, about to take a bite when his eyes flicked up, meeting the eyes of a guard. Startled because he hadn't even heard the guy walk down the stairs nor hear the creaking of the wooden door, Merlin hesitated. The guard quickly looked away from him and continued on his way. It seemed he was just making his rounds.

Merlin waited till the guard was out of his eyeline before taking a massive bite out of the apple. He nearly cried at the taste of it. It was definitely fresh and juicy. Merlin savored the taste as he chewed. He tried to eat the apple slowly, but he was so hungry he ended up finishing it rather quickly only to stare down at the core of the apple left a bit saddened before tossing it aside.

His stomach wasn't nearly satisfied with the apple, but it was better than nothing. He leaned his head back against the stone and shut his eyes. Might as well rest while he can.

Merlin didn't know how long he'd been asleep, but he was startled awake by two guards entering his cell. Merlin tried to move away from them as they advanced toward him, but it was to no avail. One guard shoved a black sack over his head while the other roughly pulled him to his feet. He was dragged forward by two muscular arms and tried to resist them, which only ended up giving him a loud, painful smack even through the fabric of the sack.

"Where are you taking me?" Merlin winced, eyes looking around widely even though he couldn't see a damn thing. The guards didn't answer, but were half dragging him and Merlin tried to lay out the pathway they were walking in his mind. It became impossible after a moment because it seemed like they kept taking sharp left and right turns.

Merlin clenched his teeth, feeling sweat trickle down his temple as soon as the guards came to a stop. There was a creaking of a door and he was yanked forward, stumbling over his own feet.

When the sack was finally pulled off his head, Merlin winced at the bright torch lighting. The guards had attached the shackles on his wrists to a short chain above his head, making him extend his arms upward. One of the guards bent down and Merlin watched as he attached similar, but slightly different shackles around his ankles, preventing him from lifting his feet.

The whole time the guards didn't say anything, they even refused to look him in the eyes. It was only a matter of minutes until both guards exited the room, leaving Merlin alone, who stared after the door they left through.

Merlin took advantage of the moment and swiftly glanced around the room. It was big with similar stone walls, much like the cells. It was colder in the room then the cells, but the torches provided little heat. There were two long wooden tables just to the left and right of him. The room was fairly empty aside from what looked like a place to light a fire on the opposite wall. Merlin wondered why he'd been brought here. Surely, Morgana was planning something. A shiver ran down his spine and Merlin momentarily recognized the feeling of dread and also….fear. Without his magic, Merlin felt cold. Helpless.

Was he really so useless without magic?

He tried to push those negative thoughts away, but they were thoughts that have haunted him for years now.

For the second time that day, Merlin wished to be back home in Camelot and the feeling brought a sense of longing. He wondered if anyone was out searching for him. Was Arthur okay? Was he looking for him? Did anyone even know he was missing? It was hard to face the thought that it was possible no one was out searching for him, but he knew somewhere in his mind he had to take it into consideration. Don't get him wrong though, he wasn't just sitting here waiting like a damsel in distress for someone to come to his rescue. He'd been carefully memorizing the guards routine rounds and slowly took into account and theorized different possibilities of escaping. He just needed to wait for the right moment, for one of the guards to slip up or something, but he feared if he kept waiting for too long, he'd end up six feet in the ground. He knew he was running out of time, but part of him knew if he couldn't get the chains off his wrist, there'd be no way he'd be any match for the guards, much less Morgana herself.

Merlin tried not to let his panic swell. He has faced death many times in the past few years and they were all for the sake of saving Arthur, but this time felt different and he knew why. Most of him feared dying for the sole reason of possibly never seeing Arthur again. What he didn't know was why that scared him. Was it the fear of being alone? Or the fear of losing someone so dear to him? Or perhaps it was the fear of never getting to say all the things he wanted to tell Arthur, but couldn't in the past.

A shaky sigh escaped his pale lips. He still felt exhausted and hungry, but he tried his best not to think about it nor that fact that his wrists were aching even more now in the straining position his arms put on them.

He closed his eyes for a bit, willing to doze off, whether to ease his exhaustion or to ease the constant throbbing pain in his wrists or both.

Merlin was nearly asleep when the door to the room slammed open, startling him awake. He jerked, the chains rattling against the movement and his bruised wrists hissing at him. Merlin's eyes immediately snapped to the person that entered only to make eye contact with Morgana and her piercing green eyes. She had a satisfied smirk gracing her lips and right behind her, Agravaine trailed after her.

Merlin tensed, his eyes trained carefully on them before snapping away from Morgana's gaze to stare down at the concrete floor with stains forever ingrained into it. It was only when Morgana stepped up closer to him and grabbed him by the jaw tightly with one her hands, forcing him to look at her, that Merlin met her eyes again.

"I can tell you're weak. Exhausted." Morgana spoke, studying Merlin's features. Merlin tried to lean away from her, but the grip on his jaw held him in place."It won't take much to break you." Merlin only glared back at her, which caused Morgana to chuckle.

Behind her, Agravaine began to make a fire in the fire pit. Morgana released her grip on his jaw and turned swiftly as a few guards entered the room, holding items. She instructed them to set the items on the long, wooden tables and Merlin watched wearily as they did so. He tried to distinguish what the items were, but they seemed to be mostly potion mixtures and spell books. After they set the items down and Morgana was satisfied, she dismissed them and Merlin watched them leave, only to catch the eyes of the guard he saw earlier before he ate his apple. There was a look in the guard's eyes that Merlin couldn't quite understand and before he could analyze it any further the wooden door slammed shut.

The room fell into a tense silence that was only disturbed by Morgana rustling through the spell books and Agravaine messing with the now lit fire. Merlin wanted to ask what the hell was going on, but he knew he probably wouldn't get an answer, so he stuck with just observing. He couldn't read what was on the spell books Morgana was looking at, but the symbols he could make out didn't put his mind at ease.

Definitely dark magic, he concluded.

Merlin swallowed thickly. His throat was dry and he wished for some water, but instead of thinking about that, he snuck small glances at Morgana as she flipped through the spell books. It was only a short moment later that she suddenly began humming a soft melody. Merlin thought he recognized it, but he didn't know for sure. It sounded surprisingly pleasant to hear and for some reason it inflicted a mournful emotion in Merlin that he didn't quite understand.

Morgana flipped through a couple more pages of the book in front of her before pausing and Merlin watched as she gathered a bowl and different plants and liquids in small vials in front of her. She continued to hum as if she were the only one in the room and as she slowly began mixing together a concoction, Merlin couldn't help the dreading thought of what she was making.

He finally tore his gaze from her and just closed his eyes. He could feel his panic settling in his bones and a restlessness that refused to leave his limbs. He listened to Morgana hum, the sound peaceful compared to the nightmare he was stuck in.

For some reason it had him thinking of Camelot again. It had him thinking back to Arthur, but he figured his mind was never far from Arthur these days.

He wished things could have been different.

Merlin slowly opened his eyes, looking toward Morgana still humming that beautiful melody to herself. When he looked at her, he saw the beautiful, kind-hearted woman who wasn't afraid to stand up to Uther when she knew him to be wrong. He saw the Morgana that loved her kingdom and its people. He saw the Morgana that use to be his friend.

Merlin's heart ached.

He wished things could have turned out differently.

He blamed himself for not helping Morgana before this. He could have helped her. He could have showed her that magic was suppose to be used for good. That it could be used to help people and save them, but he had been afraid, just as she was. He feared for his life at that time. Uther would've had his head and he couldn't risk himself dying because he had to be there for Arthur.

But Arthur died anyways. A little voice in the back of his mind whispered. He ignored the statement, pushing it away.

He watched her stir the mixture around in the bowl and somehow found the courage to speak.

"Morgana…" His voice came out a lot softer than he intended, "Morgana, please, whatever you're planning...you don't have to do it."

"Stop this, whatever it is. We were friends once. Don't you remember that? Camelot is your home…" He pleaded softly, yet Morgana didn't meet his eyes, but only continued to hum as she stirred.

Merlin stared at her for a long moment before briefly meeting eyes with Agravaine, who quickly looked away. "Morgana, please. We can start over. You don't have to do this. Magic is meant to be used for good, can't you see that?" He tried to get through to her, but it seemed she wasn't interested in what he had to say.

There was a stretch of silence, aside from Morgana's humming, where she finally stopped stirring and poured the liquid into a small glass cup before finally looking up at him. She stopped humming upon meeting his eyes and stepped up to him, holding the dark liquid in the cup. Merlin studied her, searching her green eyes before his own flickered to the cup in her hand. He felt uneasy, his stomach twisting into a knot.

"I know there is still some good left in you, Morgana, somewhere." He said softly and if Morgana was surprised, she did well of hiding it.

"You speak of nothing but nonsense, Merlin." She finally said, her voice casual as though she mentioned something about the weather. Merlin felt his heart sink. "You ruined everything for me."

"Camelot is rightfully mine and Arthur took pleasure in knowing he sat on my throne." Her eyes turned sharp, digging into Merlin, "We may have been friends once, Merlin, but that time is no more. You've been a thorn in my side for far too long and if your loyalties didn't heavily lie with my wretched brother, damn him, I might've considered you an useful ally."

"But seeing as I'm the rightful ruler of Camelot and Arthur dead, you're the only major problem preventing me from accepting my throne."

A hot fire suddenly sparked within Merlin and he recognized the anger boiling under his skin. He felt his magic become agitated.

"Arthur will always be the rightful ruler of Camelot. He is the once and future king and there will never come a time where you'll compare to him!" Merlin surprised himself with how much anger seeped into his voice and when Morgana's left hand came down on his cheek, he honestly wasn't surprised. His cheek stung with the intensity of the slap and when he looked back to Morgana, her eyes blazed with hatred. She grabbed Merlin by the jaw once more, her nails digging into his skin and making him wince, yet he refused to look away from her.

"Well he can't be much a ruler when he's too busy being dead." She growled and lifted the cup of dark liquid. She whispered an incantation that Merlin didn't recognize and pressed the rim of the cup to his lips, pouring it down his throat. Merlin resisted. The liquid was thick and gooey with a terrible taste that had him gagging and nearly puking. The chains rattled above him as he tried to pull away from Morgana, but she kept him in place, making sure he swallowed the liquid even if he choked.

When the liquid was gone, Merlin was gagging and nearly coughing up his lungs. Morgana stepped away, the glass cup in her hand empty with residue of the black liquid coating the sides. She had a satisfied smirk on her face as she set it aside, watching Merlin cough.

Merlin lifted his head, panting a little after catching his breath. He could taste the black liquid in the back of his throat and it made him want to gag, but he held it back, feeling defiant. He felt his magic cower away from the dark magic infused in the liquid and it made him sick. He wanted to throw up, but his body refused.

"What did….you give me?" He questioned suddenly feeling weaker than before. His arms aching more and his mind beginning to thrum with a heavy beat. He couldn't think straight and his vision blurred. Merlin shook his head weakly, Morgana's smirk fading in between in his focus.

Agravaine stepped up behind Morgana, watching the young warlock closely. "What are you doing to him, M'lady?" He questioned, sounding intrigued.

"Weakening his mind." Morgana's eyes darkened as she looked upon Merlin's pained face, "For the Stone of Asherah to work, his mind first needs to be vulnerable."

Merlin suddenly groaned, his head dipping as the dark magic worked its way through his body. Morgana turned, stepping back over to her table and scanning over the books. "Since Emrys is considered to be powerful, it could take days to weaken a mind as strong as his, so it buys us some time to locate the stone."

Agravaine continued to stare at Merlin, watching him writhe in what he probably assumed was pain. He almost felt bad for him until he remembered how many times he tried to kill his Lady Morgana. A snake of a smile slithered across his mouth as he turned, looking upon Morgana.

"And once his mind is weakened and we have the stone, you'll proceed to drain him of his magic, correct?"

Morgana straightened her back as her eyes slowly peered at Merlin, who was struggling and making small whimpering noises now. "I'll be the most powerful sorceress there ever was." She smirked and Agravaine's smile widened.

"More powerful than Emrys himself, I imagine."

Morgana glanced at Agravaine, particularly liking him today more than usual. "More powerful, indeed."

The dark magic taking its toll through Merlin's body caused his arms and legs to spasm, rattling the chains harshly. Merlin's mind was thrown into a loop. Images of fire and flames and people he once knew flashed across his eyes and he couldn't distinguish anything.

A scream ripped through him and he continued screaming, trying to pull himself out of the dark magic's grasp. He felt it tugging at his mind, pulling him sharply through images that made him sick. There was nothing to stop it. With his magic hindered, he was at the dark magic's mercy. Merlin couldn't stop himself from screaming. Whatever was happening was agony, pain, and absolutely unbearable.

It felt like his mind was being ripped completely in half and Merlin didn't even remember when it finally ceased because it felt endless.

Agravaine watched with interest as Merlin's screams suddenly stopped and his body fell limp, only to be held up by the chains shackled around his wrist. He glanced toward Morgana in question, wondering if she'd accidentally killed him. Morgana didn't even spare him a glance, but only answered his stare with: "Passed out. Often happens with this strong of magic." She smirked, "He'll wake up in due time and we'll give him another dose."

Morgana stepped up to Merlin, whose head was hanging forward. She gripped the sides of his jaw with one hand, lifting his head. "Should've stayed out of my way, Merlin." She hissed quietly, "But don't worry. It won't be long until your mind turns to mush and you'll be reuniting with my brother in the grave."

With a tip of her head back, Morgana laughed and let his head drop back down. She turned to Agravaine, "Come. We have much to get done."

Agravaine smiled wickedly, "As you wish, M'lady." He bowed and followed his queen out of the room.

Arthur awoke with a jolt, shooting up in bed and slick with sweat. There was a scream on the edge of his tongue, but he held it back as a unnerving scream echoed through his mind.

His chest heaved as he felt himself trembling. At first he thought the scream came from himself because it felt all too real and as though it was right in the room, yet Guinevere was undisturbed next to him. His hands shook as he swallowed uneasily, repeating the sound in his mind.

He brought one of his trembling hands to his face and gently ran his fingers through his hair. An uneasy feeling nestled deep in his stomach and he felt sick. He'd never heard a scream like that before, but somehow it came from a familiar voice.

"Merlin…"

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Thank you for reading (: Hopefully the next chapter won't take four months! :P Please leave me your thoughts, comments! I love to hear from you readers 3 and again, thank you for being patient with me! (: