A/N: Hey guys! This is probably the longest I've gone without updating! What was it... two days? Anyway, first exam over with (YAY!) only four more to go :( But they're all spread out so I'll have plenty of time to update (I hope, not writing drives me crazy). I'm not too sure about this chapter, took a while to write and I'm still not happy but...

Chapter 13- Confiding

Merlin stood with the Elders at the head of the village, as they informed the gathered Druids of their predicament. To his dismay, many were not enthusiastic about the idea of fighting.

He should have known that they would not wish to fight. Druids were peaceful and hated violence of any kind-well they maintained they did, with Byrne being the obvious exception- they would not involve themselves in any war, let alone one to help their greatest enemy.

It however, did not make him any less angry. They needed to understand the dire consequences of what would happen if they did not act.

After Fyrmest had addressed them all, a heavy silence fell over the village. Many gave Emrys looks of bewilderment; why would he risk his life and theirs for Uther? Others looked confused, others looked angry. Chaos broke out.

"Why should we fight for Uther? Why should we help the man who ruined us?"

"We are not involved in this war! What Byrne does to Camelot is none of our concern!"

"It's the way of the world, we cannot interfere with what is intended!"

The excuses came tumbling out, one after another, until there was a great cacophony of voices, indistinguishable from each other.

Merlin sighed, for once in his life, he had been right.

Fyrmest held us his hand and the villagers fell silent.

"It is true, Uther has caused us all great suffering, but we cannot allow the innocent of Camelot to suffer whilst we are the only ones who have any chance at defeating Cendred's sorcerers. If we hide ourselves away here, we are not better than cowards. We must show Uther that we are not evil, we must show him that magic can be used for good! He may not accept us, but his son might. "

Fyrmest paced back and forth in front of them, eyeing them all with an intense gaze. No one moved or breathed. Every eye was fixed on him. Fyrmest continued, obviously pleased with their attention:

"His son will be the one who unites these lands as one, he will be the one who brings magic back to the kingdom, what better way to show him our value than offering to protect his kingdom? If Camelot falls, if Arthur falls, we all will. That is why we are all involved, that is why we must interfere. Our very future hangs in the balance, if we watch and do nothing, our future will be lost, and magic shall never return."

The Druids remained silent, gazing at their leader in awe. Merlin had never heard Fyrmest speak with such power and wisdom before, he felt ready to pick up arms and race off to fight right now. Fyrmest could probably have convinced Arthur to wear a dress for a week in front of the entire Royal court.

Some Druids began to look at each other, doubt and uncertainty reflected on their faces. Some even began to nod in agreement, but one voice stood out.

"I will never help Uther. He has destroyed my life, my hopes and reduced me to an animal in hiding from hunters. I will not fight, I will not condone violence. I will not take up arms for or against him, I have seen enough bloodshed on his behalf."

The voice was quiet, but resolute and seemed to command great authority.

The Druids parted and Merlin finally saw the speaker. It was a middle-aged man, who looked older than he actually was, due to the premature lines that marked his face. His eyes were dull and lifeless, but his face was firm.

"I was a Knight of Camelot, before the Great Purge. I was happy, and content with my lot in life. I served Uther loyally and faithfully, risking my life time and time again for him. At that time I never told anyone I had magic, not because it was banned, but because it was my own personal reprieve, where I could be myself, it was my own escape from the monotonous life I led. I saw the violence Uther inflicted on his enemies even before the Purge, he was as merciless then as he is now. When the Purge came, I was ordered to kill sorcerers, to arrest those suspected and to burn them at the stake without trial. I was ordered to do so many terrible things, things my fellow Knights did without question, all in the name of service to their King. I refused. And now I am here. Exiled and cast out. Uther's hatred for all things magical will not be repressed by us fighting on his side. It will only be resolved with Uther's death, whether by sword or by time."

Merlin listened to his speech in wonder. He had never heard of a Knight of Camelot being a sorcerer. But then again, Uther would hardly like to advertise the fact one if his own had "betrayed" him. Merlin was angry he would not help, but he couldn't help but understand. In the past few weeks, he himself had wondered why he should help Uther. But he always reminded himself; it was all for Arthur.

Several Druids began to nod in agreement with the Knight as well. They all seemed uncertain and confused.

Another Druid spoke up:

"Beorn is right. Why should we risk our lives for someone who would kill us all if he had the chance? My family was murdered by Uther."

Fyrmest regarded him in silence.

"As was mine Wrecan. I lost my two daughters in the first days of the Purge, yet I am willing to help Camelot. I watched them burn, yet I am now choosing to help their murderer. This is not about personal gain, not about revenge. What good will revenge do? We will harbour these feelings of vengeance and hatred until they destroy us, we can never do anything about them. This is for the good of all Albion. For the future of our race. For without Arthur and Camelot, we have no future."

The Druids were struck into an uncomfortable silence. Never had they heard anything of Fyrmest's past before, he had always been steeped in mystery. They were all looking at him with curiosity, this man had suffered so much at Uther's hands, and yet he was still willing to risk his life for him; to them it made no sense.

Merlin had remained silent up to this point but now decided he must speak. He cleared his throat nervously and they all turned to face him. His gut clenched and he felt himself burning in embarrassment. How on earth did Arthur do this?

"My destiny, or so you all tell me, is to bring magic back to these lands. It is also however, my destiny to protect Arthur and help him become King and unite Albion. Fyrmest told me on my first day here that these destinies were intertwined, I didn't understand at the time but now I see how. In order to protect Arthur, I must go back to Camelot, I have to help him as he fights these sorcerers and indirectly I also have to help Uther. I don't particularly want to help Uther; he's made my life pretty hard and I've seen some of the terrible things he's done, but in order to help Arthur, I must help him. I've had many opportunities to kill Uther, a couple of times I could have just let him die without even raising my hand to fight him. But I didn't. I saved his life, despite the fact he would not have saved mine. I was thinking of Arthur the whole time, Arthur and the future he would bring. If we help Arthur, he will realise the truth about us, his views are not the same as his father's, and when the future comes to pass, when he becomes King, magic will be brought back. If we do nothing, he will resent us, and persecute us like his father. Sometimes in order to do the right thing, you'd do something you don't like, but eventually it will all work out. If you keep hating Uther, you won't be Druids any longer, you'll just be eaten up in resentment and rage, and you'll be ruined. It's time to lay aside the past, look to the future, the future that will never come unless we do something about it. Look at Nimueh, she spent her life, seeking revenge on Uther, and look what happened to her!"

Some of the Druids looked confused.

"Um...she died." Merlin added a bit lamely. " It just shows how your life will end up if you refuse to move on, lamenting the past won't make the future any better.

He'd intended his little speech to be quite convincing, but he'd thought the way it'd turned out was actually quite pathetic. He was never going to be good at public speaking.

However, Fyrmest turned to him with a small smile on his face.

"Well said, Emrys."

Merlin looked out at the crowd, and to his delight, many of them actually looked convinced. However many were still shaking their heads.

"He's right!" A voice called from the back.

To Merlin's amazement, Morgana came through the crowd. She looked shaky and ill, but she walked proudly with her head held high.

"I had a vision. It showed Camelot burning and it's people dying. The vision was clear, almost as clear as real life, not a dream at all. The sorcerers were there, killing and maiming. How are we any better than them or Uther if we refuse to help? That future is what will come to pass if we do not assist them, innocents will suffer and die! I saw another vision, an image of Camelot, proud and strong, with magic and non-magical people living in harmony, with Emrys at Arthur's side, as it was prophesied. That vision was blurred and foggy, it is almost gone, but it is not lost. I heard a voice saying that if Pendragon does not trust Emrys, Camelot will fall. If Arthur does not trust him, Camelot will always be a place of magical oppression, we must change that. We have that chance now."

No one spoke.

Fyrmest regarded her in curiosity for a moment, before turning back to the Druids.

"Morgana is right. We must protect Arthur and the future he will bring. Even if that means siding with Uther. That is my view. I know it is hard for you to accept this, but it must be so. Even if you do not wish to fight, your services could be useful. We will need Healers, those who can mind communicate to convey messages in battle, those to provide shields for Camelot's men, some to assist the innocent people in escaping, I am not asking you to kill. I will now give you all an hour to decide."

Fyrmest's tone was one of dismissal, and the Druids went their own ways, muttering amongst themselves.

Merlin didn't know if he had done enough to convince them all, he realised how difficult this must be for them. He was asking them to go against everything they believed to protect their enemy. How on earth was anyone supposed to do that?

Merlin noticed Morgana, standing by herself, swaying on the spot. She looked close to collapse. He walked up to her.

"You should be resting Morgana, you should be rebuilding your strength and your magic."

She looked at him in annoyance.

"So should you!"

She had a point. But Merlin did not feel tired or weak at all any more, as he had just a short while earlier. He was already beginning to feel the magic seep back into his body. He felt much stronger.

"My magic's starting to come back though, I can almost use it again."

"Well, so is mine." Morgana looked distracted; she was staring off into the distance a glazed look in her eyes.

"Are you all right?"

She looked at him suddenly, jerked out of her silent reverie.

She hastily regained her composure.

"Yes, of course. It's just... that dream, the vision. It was so terrible, I cannot let it happen."

"It won't," Merlin reassured her. "I won't let it."

Morgana did not look completely convinced.

"The Druids aren't exactly enthusiastic Merlin. We don't know if they will fight."

Merlin silently agreed.

"We just have to wait and see what happens."

"What if we wait too long Merlin? Camelot could be being attacked now!" Morgana looked truly fearful.

Merlin had no answer. He too wanted to leave right away, but he knew the sorcerers could not be defeated without the help of the Druids. He might be powerful, but Byrne was also, and he had had at least thirty other Druids with him, the most powerful of all of the villagers, and evidently ruthless to boot.

He saw the Druids, converged in small groups, whispering together, worried looks on their faces. They knew what a risk they were taking; what guarantee was there that Uther wouldn't just kill them all?

Merlin and Morgana stood together, each lost in their own thoughts. Neither of them dared to hope, or even voice aloud their fears any more.

Then Morgana turned to him.

"I'm sorry Merlin. For being so horrible to you these last few weeks."

"I know Morgana. You had every right to be, I don't blame you for the way you acted. It was only natural. I forgive you, and you forgive me. We don't have to discuss it any longer, it's passed."

Morgana nodded, relief in her face.

"If only these Druids could be as forgiving towards Uther."

She then looked conflicted, and seemed suddenly eager but also hesitant to speak. It appeared she was lost for words, and knew not what to say to him.

"Don't think merlin, that I joined Byrne because I wanted the destruction of Camelot. He was...very convincing. He told me he could teach me, help me with my magic, and I was so scared of what I could do, I accepted. He told me, they were plotting for a way to bring magic back to Camelot. I wanted this as well, I didn't want anyone to suffer the way I did, frightened of who they are. So I believed him when he said he had peaceful intentions. I helped him, gave him some of my magic occasionally, giving him strength. I helped him conjure up his plan, offered him advice on how best to get into Camelot: I really did believe he was sincere. He didn't start talking about killing Uther until a little while ago. I was confused; I hated what Uther had done, and I wanted him punished for all the pain he had caused. But I did not want him dead. He did, after all, raise me as his own daughter, took me in after my own father died. But I was too frightened to back out. I told myself this was for the best, that Uther had to die for the good of us all, but I don't think I really believed it. And then when you came, he wanted to recruit you, and he asked me to help him, so I did. He said he wouldn't hurt you, that was the only reason I did it. Byrne scared me, at first I thought I could trust him, but I was mistaken. I swear to you, I would never have assisted him if I had known his real intentions."

She looked at him with beseeching eyes. She truly was afraid of his rejection. She was ashamed and was practically begging him to believe her, with the beginnings of tears in her eyes.

Merlin looked at her sadly, dismayed she didn't already know how he felt about the whole thing.

"You don't have to explain to me Morgana, I know you never would have done it if you didn't believe you had a good reason. But what matters is that we are now both on the same side, fighting against him. We can't change the past but we can now help Arthur. Don't blame yourself."

Morgana looked relived and reassured, it was obvious the extreme guilt she felt at joining Byrne.

"You've always had a good heart Merlin. You don't hold grudges. That's what I like about you. You're so forgiving and accepting, its what makes you different from the average sorcerer who tries to tale revenge on Uther. You're a bit like a male Gwen actually." She laughed at the mock insulted look on Merlin's face. It seemed to be the first time she had truly laughed in a long time. "It's true, you know. You don't hold resentment, therefore, you always see clearly. Your vision isn't tainted by a desire for revenge. That's why I know you truly are Emrys, who else could lead us into a world of magical and non-magical harmony?"

Morgana finished looking at him with a smile on her face. Merlin felt a little embarrassed.

"Please don't start calling me Emrys Morgana. I need some normality in my life. I need someone to remind me of who I really am."

Morgana smiled again, looking happier. "Of course you do. We don't need you getting a big head like Arthur."

Merlin laughed. "I didn't think there was enough room on this earth for another head as large as Arthur's."

"There isn't. Which is why he's so lucky to have you. Why we all are." She looked away as she said this, slightly embarrassed.

Merlin regarded Morgana for a long moment.

"You're pretty forgiving yourself you know. Not many people would forgive a man who tried to kill them."

"You would have. Like Fyrmest said, harbouring resentment won't get us anywhere. You had no choice over what to do Merlin, I see that now. You were right, sometimes you have to do things you don't want to if its the right thing, sometimes it's necessary for the benefit of everyone."

"So now I'm getting quoted?" Merlin asked in amusement.

"Don't get used to it. As soon as you're Arthur's servant again you'll just be clumsy idiotic Merlin once more."

"Just how I like it."

Merlin and Morgana both laughed freely. He felt a great weight being lifted off of him, now that everything between him and Morgana was resolved. He hadn't realised how much that had been bearing down on him.

He just wanted to know one more thing.

"How did you get here Morgana? Why are you here?"

Morgana's jaw tightened for an instant. But then she sighed and looked resignedly at him.

"I suppose you have to know. There isn't much to tell really."

She bit her lip and began.

"Morgause brought me here. She knew which...poison you had used, but she didn't have the materials to prepare an antidote. She vaguely knew these people from years ago, and she begged them to help me. Of course, it's not in their nature to turn away anyone in need, and I was dying; the poison had had a terrible effect on me. The healer Hālian took me in, and nursed me, brought me back from the brink of death. She stayed with me the whole time apparently, holding my hand when I was asleep, never leaving my side. As soon as I woke up, she...filled me in, and left, saying I had to stay here, that these people would help me. So I did, and I haven't heard from her since."

Merlin sensed she was hiding something.

"Did she mention why she used you in the first place, I mean, specifically you? Or why she cared so much about you?"

Morgana closed her eyes in deep emotion. She had obviously hoped he would not ask her this.

"She told me...before she left...she told me a few things."

Merlin could tell this was upsetting her, she didn't want to tell him. However he had to know.

"Please tell me Morgana," he beseeched her, his voice more gentle. "You can trust me."

She looked pale and upset, but spoke again:

"She said...I was destined to become a terrible witch. That I would use my power for Arthur's downfall. She said I would join with the forces to which would bring about Camelot's destruction. She was right, I did."

"But you left them Morgana. You didn't continue with your plan. You chose to not go through with it." Merlin tried to reassure her. "You can use your powers for good, the future isn't set in stone."

She shook her head, "That's not all."

She took a deep breath.

"She also told me about my past. She told me she....that she was...that Morgause and I... we're half-sisters Merlin. She told me we would join together, and bring down Uther, that it was in our blood."

Merlin was in complete shock. That explained why Morgause cared so much for Morgana. But how on earth was it possible?

Morgana noted his confusion.

"She didn't go into any details about how we're actually related. It's been tormenting me for weeks. I hate to think that I'm "destined" to bring down Arthur, I mean, he's like a brother to me!"

Merlin shook his head.

"I don't know all the details either. But you're not destined to do anything Morgana, you don't have to conform to fate."

Morgana nodded.

"That's what I've been trying to tell myself all along, what Fyrmest has said, in that mysterious way of his. But I still worry."

"You don't have to. If you know what you truly want, you won't be forced into doing anything. She can't control you."

Morgana looked at him gratefully, and stared out at the village in silence, where the Druids were ambling about, still discussing the future of Camelot.

Merlin felt he had to say something in return. She had just confided in him, he should even the score.

"You aren't the only one who has gained a relative, Morgana."

She looked at him in surprise.

"Who?"

Merlin smiled, sadly.

"My father, I finally found out who he was."

Morgana looked confused.

"You didn't know before?"

"No, my mother always refused to speak of him. I never knew why until recently. She was only protecting me, if I had known, I would have been in danger from Uther."

"Why?" Morgana looked genuinely upset and concerned for him.

Merlin sighed.

"To cut a long story short, the Great Dragon...escaped, from beneath Camelot, and began attacking the city. The only hope was to find a Dragon Lord, but Uther had had them all killed. Or so he thought. Gaius told him there was one left, Balinor, that he was still in hiding. Uther gave the order to send for him, and Arthur and I set off to find him. Before we left, Gaius told me that he was my father, that Uther had hunted him, until he took refuge in Ealdor with my mother. But Uther still pursued him, and he was forced to leave, to protect my mother. He never even knew she was with child. Arthur and I found him. He was unwilling to help at first, but I managed to convince him, and I told him who I was. The next day, he died saving my life, just two days after I had found the father I had been searching for all my life."

Merlin finished, surprised at the lack of emotion in his voice, it made it easier not to dwell too much on it. He still couldn't get rid of the pain he had felt as Balinor had died in his arms.

Morgana looked shocked and sympathetic.

"What happened to the dragon?"

"I got rid of it, as soon as Balinor died I inherited his powers. Now I'm the last Dragon Lord."

Morgana regarded him with deep understanding and sympathy. After a while she said:

"Why are you telling me this?"

Merlin shrugged.

"I have to tell someone, or I'll got mad. I can't get rid of the guilt I feel. Someone else needs to know. You told me something personal, I'm retuning the favour."

Morgana nodded, and didn't say anything. They stood together, in companionable silence. Merlin felt much more relaxed and realised how much better he felt after confiding in her. He only felt a little guilt about not revealing the true reason for the dragon's escape. He had to come to terms with the guilt he felt over that first himself, before he told her.

"Thank you for confiding in me."

"Thank you for confiding in me too."

They said nothing else, nothing else needed to be said. They watched together as the sun rose steadily in the sky, as the hour drew to a close.

Fyrmest called everyone back into to the head of the village, the official meeting place.

Merlin and Morgana took deep breaths, and stepped forward for the decision.

Arthur looked at Mordred in amazement.

"What do you mean, you're going to show me the real Emrys? How will you do that?

Mordred smiled, unsettlingly.

"This pool has the ability to track any human in history. It is how we can tell the future, we can see how these people's lives will be. We can find out everything about any person, by looking through their...I suppose you could say...memories. I believe Nimueh used something similar, only her tool showed only the present, it was how she became so knowledgeable about the goings-on in Camelot. This pool will show you the life of any man, woman or child who has ever lived or will ever live; I could even show you the lives of our great-great-grandchildren. But it is unwise to know too much of the future, so I will not show you the outcome of this war you now find yourself in. I will leave that for you to suffer yourself. However, I can show you everything in Emrys' past, everything he has ever done. I owe Emrys, I will repay him by letting you know the truth about what he has done. It will show you, that his intentions have never been evil, and I can show you his real motives. Perhaps it will make you forgive him completely and all doubt can be erased from your mind for good. However, I have not forgiven Emrys for betraying us and leaving us at the mercy of the guards of Camelot. Therefore, I will show you everything he has done, the good and the bad, and you shall be left to decide whether or not you shall place your trust in him."

Arthur stayed silent. What harm could Merlin possibly have done? He was also uncomfortable about this pool thing. He would effectively looking through Merlin's memories, which he felt no one had a right to do without his permission. But, as much as he hated to admit it, he wanted to know the complete truth about Merlin. He had to know his reasons before he saw him again, so he could decide for himself how he felt about Merlin, whether to trust him. Merlin would make himself out to be completely innocent, which Arthur believed he was, but he would leave out the bad things, and Arthur had to know everything if he were to truly know how to act.

He looked at Mordred, who was smiling evilly. He knew what torment was in Arthur's mind. Could he trust him to show a unbiased view? Probably not, he seemed to resent Merlin for something. However, he had to go through with it, it would forever plague him if he did not.

He nodded briefly at the boy.

Mordred's eyes gleamed and he reached out and grabbed Arthur's arm, dragging him closer to the pool, where he stood with his hand stretched over it.

"Gecyðan unc sēo gēardagas gelong Emrys!"

The foreign words sounded strange to Arthur and even stranger coming out of Mordred's mouth. His voice rang with power and control, it was not the voice of a young child.

The surface of the pool turned clear and shimmered, inviting them in, a hypnotising light glowed from it.

Mordred turned to him.

"Wade into the pool and submerge yourself. You will be shown the past deeds of Emrys, all that relate to his dealings with you and the reasons for his secrecy. It may also help you to understand him better. It may however pain you to learn what he has done."

"How am I supposed to breathe?" Arthur asked him sullenly, he was a little distrustful of someone who told him to walk into a pond and stay there underwater.

"You'll see." Mordred's smile gave nothing away.

Arthur sighed. Here goes nothing.

He walked to the edge of the pool and hesitantly stepped in. It did not feel like water at all, though it looked it. It was more like some sort of mist swirling around, giving the impression of liquid. He reached the centre of the pool, with the watery-stuff up to his chest, and turned to look back at Mordred.

He stood there watching him.

"Brūcan hine þǣrtō sēo gēardagas!"

The water, or whatever it was began to shift and churn, like the ocean in a storm.

"Arthur Pendragon, are you ready to delve into the past?" Mordred called on him quietly.

Arthur nodded, took a deep breath, and plunged himself deep under the surface of the pool.

A/N: Sorry if the pace is a bit slow, all of this was supposed to be in like Chapter 6 but I always write way too much over the small things. Every small conversation I intend gets really long and I end up neglecting the rest of the story. Also my timeline's getting muddled up as well. These things are supposed to be happening at the same time, and I'm still trying to work out a way to fit it all together.

Anyways...Thanks for reviews so far! Keep them coming! :D