In the following days, both Morgana and Merlin desperately wanted to tell Arthur what they'd learned from Nimueh, but they could not come up with a good cover story for how they'd learned it. More and more, Morgana began to wonder if the time had come to tell Arthur the whole truth.
Armed men rode into a village…a man was seized, carrying bags of grain…"Our children will starve!" a woman cried…a man fell, an arrow in his heart…
Morgana jerked awake.
Naturally, Morgana reported her vision to Arthur at once. "These people will either starve or be slaughtered, and I don't know who or where they are!" she exclaimed, frustrated.
"It's all right, we'll find them," Arthur soothed. "I'm sure I can come up with an excuse to convince Father to send extra patrols through the outlying villages."
"But what if they find the wrong bandits, and the people from my vision are left to fend for themselves?" Morgana asked fearfully.
Arthur gave her a look as if she were being ridiculous. "Morgana, we know that bandits aren't limited to a single place or group. The patrols won't stop just because we've rousted one band."
"I'd feel better if I rode through the villages myself until I found the right one," Morgana insisted.
"And suppose you ride in the wrong direction?" Arthur countered. "Suppose one of these villagers comes to Camelot to plead their case, and you're not there to recognize them? Morgana, the knights can protect the people. That's why we have knights."
Morgana swallowed. "I know we have knights for a reason, I just…I can't shake the feeling that this vision was given to me for a reason. That I'm supposed to help these villagers myself."
"You have helped them," Arthur argued. "You've let me know to increase patrols."
"I hope that's enough," Morgana said worriedly.
Arthur did indeed persuade Uther to send out extra patrols. Over the next few days, patrols reported finding and dealing with two different groups of bandits, but neither group matched the description of mounted raiders who menaced a village for their harvest. Morgana felt certain that the village from her vision was still in trouble.
Four days after Morgana's vision, Merlin came to her chambers accompanied by the woman from her dream (now sporting a black eye). Interestingly, Mordred was smiling up at the woman.
"I believe I may have identified the village you've been looking for," Merlin announced grimly. "Everyone, this is my mother, Hunith."
"A pleasure to meet you all," Hunith stated, offering them a strained smile.
"A pleasure to meet you too," Morgana replied. "I am your son's cousin, the Lady Morgana. This is my maid, Gwen, and my bodyguard, Lancelot. We all know Merlin's secret; you may speak freely here."
"Thank you." Hunith swallowed. "Merlin tells me you are a Seer, and you've had a vision of the raiders who are presently threatening our village?"
"Your village?" Morgana realized. She sighed. "No wonder the extra patrols did not find you; the village I saw was not in Camelot."
Hunith nodded. "We've appealed to King Cenred, but he cares little for the outlying regions. Seeing as we are so close to the border with Camelot, I came here hoping King Uther might be persuaded to help." Mordred frowned at her, clearly not liking that idea.
Morgana shook her head. "I doubt it. Uther knows that if he were to send men across the border, it would be seen as an act of war. He'll not risk that for a single village."
"I have to try," Hunith insisted. "Our children will starve."
"We don't need Uther's help," Merlin argued. "Let Father and me handle it. We can take them."
"You can't let people know about your gift!" Hunith fretted.
"Not all people are as hateful as Uther," Gwen spoke up. "There are many in Camelot who suspect—correctly—that Merlin used magic to cure a plague. Not one of them has reported their suspicions to Uther, and I know of at least two people who have defied Uther to help Merlin because of it."
"Besides, we could disguise ourselves," Morgana said thoughtfully. "Give the village three mysterious hooded saviors, and then even the odd ungrateful villager cannot sell us out to bounty hunters."
"Three saviors?" Hunith repeated in surprise.
Morgana raised an eyebrow. "Surely you didn't think I would sit idly by while my cousin's village is in trouble? Besides, I believe I had this vision for a reason. I will do everything I can to help."
"And what will you tell Arthur?" Lancelot asked worriedly. "He already knows of your vision. He'll want to help too."
"Ealdor is outside Camelot," Merlin reasoned. "We just remind him that it would be an act of war for a knight to cross the border."
Morgana nodded. "It worked before. Can we be ready to leave before nightfall?"
"What about Uther?" Gwen asked. "What will you tell him to justify your trip?"
Morgana huffed out an irritated breath. "I am sick of justifying myself to him." She glanced at Mordred. "I suppose I can tell him Mordred asked me to help Merlin's village. How could I discourage such a sweet, un-evil request?"
Mordred ran over and clung to Morgana, eyes wide. But I don't want you to go. I'll be all alone.
Morgana gently patted him. "We'll be back soon enough, Mordred, don't worry. But we have to help these people."
Merlin went to explain the situation and request time off from Arthur. Morgana decided not to speak to Uther before leaving, just to make sure he couldn't object to her plans. Within two hours, Gwen had everything ready for their departure, and she wished them luck.
That night, they made camp several hours from the border. Morgana, Lancelot and Merlin all retired to their bedrolls as soon as they finished eating, but Morgana could not sleep. Tomorrow, she would be using magic in combat for the first time. She had fought with a sword before, but using magic would be a completely different experience, and the prospect was a little unnerving. She stared at the fire, partially obscured by Balinor and Hunith's silhouettes.
"I'm going to make Kanen pay for what he did to you," Balinor said quietly, gently stroking Hunith's face.
"Ever the gentleman," Hunith murmured in response.
There was a pause before Balinor spoke again. "I don't know if Merlin has told you, but Arthur offered to rescind my sentence when he becomes king."
"Yes, he told me," Hunith confirmed.
"I left you for your protection, Hunith, but I never stopped loving you. If the day comes when those close to me need no longer fear Uther's wrath…"
Hunith reached out to take his hand. "I have never loved another."
Suddenly, Balinor got off the log and down onto one knee. "Hunith, when that day comes, will you marry me?"
"Yes, my love, of course I will." Hunith bent down to kiss him. Morgana turned away to give them their privacy, smiling to herself.
Later in the evening, a noise in the trees jolted Morgana out of her light sleep. Wary of bandits, she grabbed a thick branch for use as a makeshift torch and lit it in the dying fire. She cautiously made her way into the trees to investigate the noise.
"Take it easy, it's just us," said a familiar voice behind her. Morgana whirled around and nearly took Arthur's eye out. Leon and Ewan stood behind him.
"Arthur, what are you doing here?!" Morgana exclaimed worriedly. "You know it means war if any of you are caught beyond the border!"
"If Cenred was sending his men through Ealdor, then this whole journey wouldn't be necessary," Arthur calmly pointed out.
"From what we've been told, these people need all the help they can get," Leon agreed.
Morgana sighed, knowing she couldn't explain the real reason she didn't want them here. "Fine. Come on." She turned her focus inward, trying to project her mental voice as loudly as possible. Balinor, Merlin, wake up. We've got a problem.
What is it? Balinor replied sleepily.
Arthur, Leon and Ewan have invited themselves along.
What?! Merlin exclaimed, panicked. Morgana and the knights reached the campsite just in time to see Merlin sit up, staring at them.
"You didn't think I'd let you go up against bandits on your own, did you?" Arthur said to Merlin. "I can't have you dying on me, a half-decent servant's hard to come by." He frowned, suddenly noticing Balinor. "Who're you?"
"I am Merlin's father," Balinor said calmly. "And judging from Merlin's descriptions, I am guessing you are Arthur Pendragon, Prince of Camelot?"
Arthur inclined his head. "I am. These are my most trusted knights, Sir Leon and Sir Ewan."
"A pleasure to meet you," Balinor said amiably. "Merlin speaks highly of you all."
"A pleasure to meet you too," Arthur replied. He looked back at Merlin. "I thought you said it was your mother who came to Camelot."
Merlin nodded at Hunith. "She did. She's right there."
"You neglected to mention your father was here as well."
"It wasn't my father who turned up with a black eye."
Arthur sighed and rolled his eyes. "Get some rest, all of you." He knelt down to unpack his bedroll, followed by Leon and Ewan.
Merlin shot Balinor and Morgana a wide-eyed look. Now what do we do?
If it were only Arthur, I'd say we stick to the plan, Balinor mused. From what you've told me, it sounds like he's ready for the truth. But these other two knights complicate things.
Maybe we should stick to the plan anyway, Morgana suggested. They've both sworn to Arthur that they follow his lead, not Uther's. And I think Balinor is right that Arthur is ready.
But what if you're wrong? Merlin asked worriedly.
We wait until we've crossed the border before telling them, Balinor decided. At worst, we can point out they have no jurisdiction to enforce Camelot's laws there. If need be, we can take them in a fight.
But we won't need to, Morgana insisted, trying to sound more confident than she felt. She crawled back into her bedroll, and eventually fell into a restless sleep.
In the morning, Lancelot and Hunith were understandably surprised to see the new additions to their party. Balinor took Hunith aside to quietly explain the situation to her, and Morgana did the same for Lancelot. Lancelot accepted the new plan readily enough, but Hunith did not look reassured. Morgana noticed that Hunith kept herself firmly planted between her son and the three Camelot knights.
Shortly after crossing the border, Balinor called a halt. He looked at the three Camelot knights. "Now, we're very grateful for your support, but I'm afraid you've had a wasted journey. Your presence will only hinder our plan."
"What plan?" Arthur demanded, confused.
"I don't believe I introduced myself properly last night. Lord Balinor Ambrosius, at your service." Balinor swept into a courtly bow while Arthur gawked. "Magical talent has always run deep in the Ambrosius line, and I am proud to say that both my son and my niece have inherited the gift. We've no intention of fighting Kanen's men with steel."
Ewan drew his sword. "You're sorcerers?!"
Lancelot drew his own sword and moved in front of Morgana. At the same time, Hunith pressed closer to her son and fiancé. Arthur looked as if he had no idea how to react. Leon, for his part, looked thoughtful. "I had wondered about Merlin," he admitted. "The rumors were true, weren't they? You used magic to cure the afanc's plague."
"Yes, I did," Merlin confirmed.
"And the rumors about the griffin as well?"
Merlin glanced at Lancelot. "It was a combined effort. It really was Lancelot's lance that slew the beast, but it was my spell which empowered it to pierce the griffin's hide."
"Then there are countless citizens of Camelot who owe their lives to your magic," Leon concluded. "Sire, I believe we should hear them out."
"Stand down, Ewan," Arthur said quietly. Ewan sheathed his sword, looking chastened, and Lancelot followed suit. Arthur looked back and forth between Merlin and Balinor. "Merlin is really your son?"
"Yes," Balinor confirmed. "Your highness, I'm sure you must have many questions, and we will answer them in time, but now is not that time. Hunith tells me that Kanen's men are to return today, and we must make for Ealdor without delay."
Morgana could see that dozens of questions were racing across Arthur's mind, but he swallowed them back. "Very well. But as soon as Ealdor is safe, I do want answers."
"Of course," Balinor agreed.
As they approached Ealdor, they heard worrying noises from the direction of the village. Balinor, Merlin and Morgana hurriedly donned their cloaks, and the rest of the party halted just inside the tree line. The three sorcerers rode into the village just in time to see a raider raise an axe over an unfortunate villager. Merlin lifted a hand, and the man was blasted away from the villager.
The raider scrambled back to his feet, casting wild looks around the village. "Who did that?! You'll pay with your life!"
"Leave these people alone, or you will pay with yours," Balinor commanded, his voice an almost unrecognizably low growl.
The man—Kanen, Morgana assumed—glared at Balinor. "And just who do you think you are?"
"I am Dragoon. This is my son Emrys, and my niece Le Fay. We have magic, and this village is under our protection."
Kanen didn't bother with further threats. He lifted his axe and charged, followed by most of his men. Merlin lifted both hands and threw them all off their feet again.
"People of Ealdor, I suggest you go inside," Balinor warned. The villagers gratefully ducked into their houses.
Balinor incanted a spell, causing narrow lines of fire to spring up in front of the buildings on both sides. Morgana incanted a spell to create a whirlwind in front of herself and her family, just in time to deflect several crossbow bolts. Merlin looked up at the heavens and incanted another spell, causing storm clouds to gather. Lightning forked down and struck the men who had fired crossbows. They crumpled to the ground.
"Leave. Now," Balinor repeated. "Or the same fate awaits the rest of you."
Nearly half the bandits broke ranks and fled out the other end of the village. "Cowards!" Kanen shouted. He raised his axe and led another charge, but as soon he entered Morgana's whirlwind, he was blown into the fire. Three of his men followed before they could stop themselves.
"This is your final warning," Balinor stated, moving the fires in closer. "Leave, or you will all perish."
The surviving bandits fled. Once they disappeared from sight, Balinor allowed the walls of fire to disappear. Morgana and Merlin likewise released their spells.
The villagers slowly emerged from their houses. "Thank you," said the man whom Kanen had threatened. "How can we ever repay you?"
"We seek no reward," Balinor replied. "We seek only to defend the innocent, as Cenred should have done."
"Thank you," the man said again. "Bless you." Many of the villagers echoed the sentiment.
Balinor inclined his head. "We take our leave of you now." He glanced at Kanen's charred corpse. "I don't believe you'll have any further trouble."
The three sorcerers rejoined their group inside the trees. Morgana started to lower her hood, but then Lancelot jerked his head in the direction of the village. "Looks like we've got company."
A young man was running toward them. "Merlin!" he called as he approached. He stopped right in front of Merlin. "You're Merlin, aren't you?"
Merlin lowered his hood. "Yeah, Will, what gave it away?"
"Well, let's see," Will said sarcastically. "Hunith went to Camelot—hello, Hunith—where you live, and came back with three sorcerers: a father, a son, and a niece. Last time you came to Ealdor, you brought your long-lost father, and you mentioned finding a cousin in Camelot. Wasn't hard to put the pieces together." Will suddenly frowned, looking at the four swordsmen. "Uh, what are they doing here?"
"They wanted to help," Merlin explained. "Lancelot is Morgana's bodyguard, and as for the others, we hadn't exactly told people in Camelot the plan…for obvious reasons."
"And…you've told them now?" Will said skeptically. "And they're not trying to kill you?"
"No. We're not," Arthur stated. "I still expect a lot of explanations, but I have seen them do nothing deserving of death."
Will gave Arthur a hard look. "Merlin's been like this his entire life. He's always had magic, and he's always been one of the least evil people I've ever known. You're damn right he doesn't deserve to die."
"Thanks, Will," Merlin said, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Look, I'd love to catch up with you, but we did promise these guys answers, and we'd like to get moving before the entire village discovers us."
"Fine," Will conceded. "But don't be a stranger." He walked back toward the village, saluting Merlin as he went.
"Always had magic?" Arthur repeated, giving Merlin a skeptical look.
"His eyes turned gold the first time I ever held him," Hunith said softly. "He was moving objects with his mind before he could talk. Drove me half to madness, trying to keep the rest of the village from finding out."
"This really isn't the place for this discussion," Balinor spoke up. "Let's put some distance between us and the village, and then we'll tell you everything you want to know."
Half an hour later, they made camp in a clearing. Arthur opened his mouth, no doubt to ask more questions, but Morgana spoke first. "Arthur, I want you to know, we were going to tell you. It's not that we ever wanted to lie to you, but you'd spent years lapping up every hateful word Uther ever said about magic. We couldn't risk telling you the whole truth until you'd opened your eyes enough to hear us out. Please believe me, it was never our intention to hurt you."
Arthur gave her a hard look. "When I gave you those spellbooks, you swore to me that you wouldn't learn magic."
"No, I swore not to use those books for anything except my Seer powers," Morgana corrected. "I never swore to give up my lessons with Merlin. He began teaching me shortly after I first told you about my dreams."
Arthur looked at Merlin. "I suppose that must have been a very interesting conversation for you to overhear."
Merlin shrugged. "I already knew she was a Seer, and that she was planning to tell you. She saw me use magic to reach you at the feast, the night your father made me your servant, and she confronted me as soon as she could. Later, after Gaius wouldn't tell her what Valiant really did to Ewan, she turned to me instead, and she told me all about her vision. I asked Gaius, and finally got him to explain that she was a Seer—not that he explained it to her, mind you. He expressly forbade me to tell her about her powers, which is utterly stupid."
"When people are born with magical abilities, they cannot be suppressed," Balinor spoke up. "They can only be controlled. Had Merlin not helped Morgana to awaken her magic in controlled circumstances, the spark of magic within her would have eventually ignited in uncontrolled circumstances—and that would have been very dangerous, even without the possibility of execution. He may very well have saved her life by teaching her."
"And where exactly have you been all this time?" Arthur demanded. "I had assumed you spent your exile in Ealdor, but Merlin's friend made it clear you've not been part of Merlin's life until very recently."
Balinor's expression darkened. "Your father was determined to see me dead, and he was not content to stop at the border. He pursued me to Ealdor, and I fled to protect the village. Had I known Hunith was with child, I would have taken her with me, but as it was I believed she was safer without me." Hunith reached out and took his hand, squeezing it.
"Back when Morgana was trying to find her uncle, I found a spell for locating blood relatives on a map, and I demonstrated it to teach her," Merlin continued. "From what little Mother told me, I'd always thought that Father was dead, so imagine my surprise when an extra immediate relative appeared. "
"And imagine my surprise when not only did I have a not-quite-so-immediate relative in the exact same place, but I had multiple close relatives in Camelot and one in—" Morgana broke off. "Morgause. All this time, how could I have forgotten about Morgause?"
"Well, I imagine that discovering Uther is your true father was quite a shock," Merlin said sympathetically.
"What?!" Leon exclaimed, jaw hanging open.
"Ah," Morgana said, belatedly realizing that Leon had never been told that particular secret. "Yes, apparently he had an affair with my mother. I may have implied I would reveal that information if he did not spare Mordred."
"Regrettably, I believe it was this threat which ultimately persuaded Uther to spare the lad," Lancelot added.
Arthur grimaced. "So who's Morgause?"
"My half-sister through my mother," Morgana explained. "When last I used the map spell, she was in Odin's kingdom. I had meant to seek her out one day, but once I identified my remaining relatives in Camelot, she rather slipped my mind."
"Identified…" Arthur repeated. "You mean it wasn't Balinor who told you we were siblings? It was this spell?"
"Yes. After I returned from meeting Balinor, I repeated the spell with a detailed map of the citadel. I cast the spell late at night, and saw that my remaining relatives resided in yours and Uther's chambers." Morgana gave Arthur an apologetic look. "That's also one of the biggest reasons why I didn't tell you sooner. I couldn't admit how I knew, and it wasn't until I let slip the knowledge to Uther that I was forced to come up with a cover story."
"But it wasn't worth coming up with a cover story for me?" Arthur demanded, looking hurt.
"As I said, I was always planning to tell you about the magic eventually, and I intended to share the truth of our relationship at that time."
"When, Morgana?" Arthur pressed. "When were you planning to tell me all this?"
"I don't know. Soon." Morgana swallowed and looked up to meet his eyes. "I saw how angry you were when you learned that Uther has been keeping secrets from us, and I hated the thought of you looking at me like that. Perhaps I've been a bit of a coward. I love you as a brother, and I couldn't bear to lose you."
"You'll never lose me," Arthur said quietly. "I may be upset with you right now, but you are my sister, and I care for you the same way. I just…I need time."
Morgana offered him a small, watery smile. Arthur briefly returned it, and several moments passed in silence. Merlin finally broke it. "What about me? Are we…do you still want me as your servant?"
Arthur gave Merlin a thoughtful look, and several more moments passed before he responded. "If even Morgana, who has known me her entire life, felt that she needed time before she could tell me about her magic…how can I judge you, a scrawny peasant who barely knew me, for being equally cautious? Had I learned of your magic when first you arrived in Camelot, I would have arrested you without a second thought."
"But…not now?" Merlin asked tentatively.
"No, not now," Arthur agreed. He looked at Balinor. "And nor do I intend to arrest you. Although, I have to wonder…where exactly have you been since Morgana found you? It didn't sound like you'd stayed wherever you'd been."
"There is a cave near the city of Camelot," Balinor replied. He glanced at Ewan. "Forgive me, but I would prefer not to reveal the exact location in present company."
Ewan bowed his head. "I apologize for my earlier reaction. I confess, I am not entirely comfortable with magic, but I can see that the three of you are good people. Uther will learn none of this from me."
"Nor from me," Leon added. There was a moment of silence, then he suddenly looked at Merlin. "Hold on, I've just realized…you were the 'old family servant' who accompanied Morgana to Essetir, weren't you?"
"Well, I am her family and I am a servant, but I wouldn't exactly say I'm old," Merlin replied cheekily.
Balinor lightly cuffed Merlin around the head. "Yes, Merlin was the final member of that search party. He and I took a detour to Ealdor on our way to Camelot."
Leon nodded, and silence stretched out again. This time, Arthur broke it. "Well. Any other world-shaking secrets I should know?"
Morgana nodded at his sword. "That blade wasn't actually hidden in Camelot. Balinor snuck into the city and had the dragon burnish it specifically for you, the night before you faced the wraith."
"And there's that prophecy," Merlin added. "About the two of us. You are the Once and Future King, the greatest king ever to rule, and I am Emrys, the most powerful sorcerer ever to walk the earth. We're supposed to unite the land of Albion and bring about a golden age. Mordred recognized us both on sight, that's why he keeps calling you his king."
"Most powerful sorcerer ever to walk the earth?" Arthur said skeptically.
"Yes," Balinor said seriously, putting a hand on Merlin's shoulder. "And you will have a circle of true companions, and together you will usher in an era of greatness."
Arthur swallowed. "No pressure, then."
"I can believe it," Leon said, looking at Arthur. "You have all the makings of a great king." Ewan and Lancelot echoed agreement.
Morgana nodded. "There is one other thing, one very important thing, but I think it would be better discussed in private."
"Very well," Arthur agreed. "We'll discuss it when we return to Camelot. As soon as we return to Camelot."
"Ah…there is one more thing, actually," Balinor interjected. "Hunith and I are now engaged to be married."
"What?!" Merlin exclaimed. "That's…amazing! That's terrific! When did this happen?"
"Last night," Balinor explained. "We haven't had a chance to bring it up until now. It may be a while yet before we can hold the wedding, and I'll have to procure a proper ring for her, but we will be wed."
"Congratulations," Lancelot said, smiling at them.
"I wish you all the best," Morgana added. Arthur, Leon and Ewan echoed the sentiment.
Hunith returned to Ealdor, and Merlin accompanied her for a brief visit with Will. He rejoined the group a few hours later, and they began the journey back to Camelot. Thankfully, the journey passed without incident.
Balinor left them shortly before they came in sight of the city walls. The rest of the group went inside, where they found Mordred dragging Gwen out to meet them. Mordred hugged first Morgana and then Merlin, while Gwen gave Lancelot a very enthusiastic greeting. Arthur and the knights tactfully left to take their mounts to the stables.
Morgana and Merlin both went to wait for Arthur in his chambers. He joined them nearly ten minutes later. "I've told Father we were all on a hunting trip," he explained. "Now, what was the very important thing that needed to be shared in private?"
"You remember I told you Uther was talking to Gaius about how he used witchcraft at your birth, and it caused your mother's death?" Morgana began.
"Hard to forget," Arthur confirmed, scowling.
"Well, after you killed the wraith, we went to see Balinor, and…he wasn't alone," Morgana continued. "Nimueh was with him, and she told us her side of the story. Apparently, your mother could not conceive, so your parents turned to her for help. Nimueh warned them that to create a life, a life must be taken. I'm not sure if she told them whose life she was planning to trade, but she told us that she meant to trade the life of your uncle Agravaine."
"And that's somehow better?" Arthur said skeptically.
Morgana sighed and shook her head. "Honestly, Arthur, I don't know what you see in him. He acts downright creepy with me. And apparently I wasn't the first, because Nimueh claimed he made many 'unwanted advances' toward her."
Merlin cleared his throat. "Anyway, Kilgharrah—the dragon now chained under Camelot—interfered with her spell, because he has some absurd hatred of women. His interference caused your mother to die instead, and Uther thought Nimueh had betrayed him. He was so angry that he started the Great Purge."
Arthur looked back and forth between them, clearly not convinced. "And why should I believe her story?"
"My father confirmed it," Merlin replied. "He said Kilgharrah told him everything when he went to forge your sword. Until that day, even Nimueh hadn't known how her spell went wrong. She said your mother was her dearest friend, and Father confirmed he never would have thought Nimueh capable of harming her."
"Nimueh said that when she saw you kill the wraith, she realized what a terrible person she'd become," Morgana continued. "She apologized and said she had forgotten you were Ygraine's son as well as Uther's."
"We haven't exactly forgiven her for the recent things she's done, but we've got a sort of truce, now," Merlin added. "It seems Kilgharrah was primarily responsible for your mother's death, and for indirectly causing the Great Purge. As punishment, Father swore that he will never see the light of day again. I intend to keep that oath, and if I ever have a son, I intend to make sure he does too."
Arthur swallowed. "You really believe this version of events?" he asked quietly.
Morgana nodded. "We do. I'm sorry, Arthur."
"All those innocent people…" Arthur whispered. "Our father hunts them, hunts you like animals, all because of what this dragon did?"
"He tried to turn me against Morgana too," Merlin commented. "Probably for the best that he did, otherwise I might have actually trusted him. That would have been bad."
"Yes, very," Morgana agreed.
"The dragon will see no mercy from me either," Arthur said, his voice hard. "And I will have no further part in our father's misplaced vengeance."
Morgana smiled. "I knew that one day you would see we are not all enemies."
A/N: For the record, the 'man felled by an arrow' in Morgana's vision was the nameless extra who got shot in the episode's opening scene. No need to worry about Will!