Hi everyone! sorry for how bloody long this took to get out, I have no excuse except that I lost my writing mojo for a bit and needed a break to rediscover it ;) Thanks for your patience. So this chapter is (once again) half of one chapter-once again it was getting a bit long so I decided to post it midway as I reached a good breaking point. I am hoping to use this chapter to not only mend Arthur/Harry's relationship (second half of chapter) but to show the beginning splinters of Morgana/Harry's friendship and the forming of the villionous trio. Beware there is angst and teeanage girl logic ahead.

Hope you enjoy!

okokokokokoko

Chapter 14: Little Boy Blue; part 1

For there to be betrayal, there would have to have been trust first."
― Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games

In the hours that had passed since Morgause had revealed certain truths, Morgana found her intial trust and defense of her friend's motives weigning away to be replaced with doubt and anger.

If she had paused long enough to see through those rising emotions, she might have recognized that she wasn't so much angry as hurt by Henry's omission. No not omission—lie, omission sounded far too innocent and easily forgiven. No Henry had lied to her! How long had they been friends?...

Ok so not that long, but that is beside the point! They had shared a real, honest, once in a lifetime type bond. One of magic! He could have told her the truth…..he could have trusted her….he could have….

But he didn't! he obviously didn't value her friendship and companionship in the same way that she valued his. She had told him everything!...okay, well…..ALMOST everything…..

No matter! She was getting sidetracked! What mattered was that her friend had lied to her, and not a small lie….a huge, all encompassing lie at that! He had lied about the very person he was. And she wanted answers!

Answers that she most definitely deserved….

And as she watched him stumble, out of breath with an apology on his lips she knew that she would get those answers….

No matter the cost.

-o—

Harry was almost relieved to arrive back at the castle too find it mid-catastrophe…if only because it stole his attention away from the harsh words (ok, fight) he had just had with Morgana. And what kind of person did that make him? –One that rejoiced in the obvious pain and suffering of others obviously.

Oh alright, so he was being a bit melodramatic: sue him. He thought it was rather called for; it was not every day that one found themselves more upset about a fight between friends compared to watching half of Camelot fall into a (so far) un-wakable sleep after all, he had a hard time feeling that his current prioritization was a good thing either. If he hadn't already been questioning his morals and fearing that he was going (for lack of better word) dark, then he would be now!

Still despite it possibly making him an evil, vile person, he was still glad for the distraction. Even if it meant interacting with Arthur when he had been so far doing a smash up job of avoiding the man (of course hardly a dozen hours had passed since the whole bar scene had taken place….but he had been successfully avoiding the man for all of those hours! That had to count for something!).

"Harry! Thank god you're all right! People just started to fall unconscious and I couldn't find you….I looked everywhere, I thought…" Arthur's panicked voice had been the first to greet him upon exiting the forest. The blond prince had practically run towards him in his panicked haste, ignoring the fact that this was definitely not an appropriate response for a prince to have when finding a wayward servant. That in itself told Harry that something big was up. Big enough for Arthur to go back on the self made promise he had made months ago.

"Arthur?" Harry asked hesitantly, glancing around the practice field quickly—both relieved and disappointed (a small stupid part of his brain for the latter) to find that there was no one around, "What are you talking about? What's wrong?"

"Harry" Arthur gasped out of breath as he reached for him, pulling the smaller teen into a tight embrace before releasing him—the panic slowly receding from his eyes to be replaced with realization and common sense. "I'm sorry….I-I just….everyone is falling…I was worried" he managed to get out looking both flustered and embarrassed in one.

"Whoa…calm down. What are you talking about? What has happened?" Harry asked pushing back his own anger and annoyance at Arthur and his past behavior in view of the rare falling of the prince's masks. Make no mistake; he was still furious at Arthur for the past however many weeks the prince had been playing with his emotions (because that is what it felt with the constant push—pull, that the prince was simply amusing himself at the corresponding upheaval they caused Harry) but after his fight and abrupt departure from Morgana coupled with whatever had happened to leave the prince so disheveled he figured his anger could wait.

And that was when Arthur had finally calmed enough to tell him what was going on. He relayed (with impressive speed in fact) the fact that he had awoken—Harry got the feeling the prince was editing the state he had awoken in out of his tale—as normal. Going down to attend breakfast with his father, only to have the maid who was serving them suddenly fall midst pour. When checked the unconscious juice covered woman was found to be quite healthy if not for being very much completely and unrousably asleep. And it just continued from there….

One after another, people; nobles, knights, servants, finally even Uther had grown more and more tired before they too suddenly collapsed into an unbreakable sleep.

"….I left father to see if I could find you….or Morgana—she's missing as well—but you were nowhere. I was afraid that….but anyway, when I couldn't find either of you I went back to see if Gaius or father had discovered anything only to find them both collapsed and unconscious. I don't know what to do! Gaius was searching for a cure—and now that he's asleep…I just….I don't know" Arthur finished helplessly.

Harry's frown continued to deepen the further along that Arthur's tale went. It sounded like some sort of curse—a powerful, rather dark one at that—the fact that he, and when he had left, Morgana had not been affected (or Arthur yet for that matter) had to be simply chance. A thought skittered through his brain causing him to turn his attention back to the blond in front of him.

"Has anyone else not been affected—outside of you so far? Where's Merlin?" he asked trying to keep his tone smooth and unhurried. He needed to hear whether or not his half brother had been affected, if he hadn't, that would go a long way towards answering his awakening suspicions.

"Whaa—"Arthur stopped and shook his head, leaving off whatever he had been going to ask, "uh…no, there were a few guards still standing—I left them to guard my father, along with Merlin. He was still conscious when I last saw him but I just had to make one more sweep….we should probably go back and make sure they are still okay…It took a lot of convincing for Merlin to stay behind and not follow me…."

He couldn't be sure but it was almost too much of a coincidence to completely dismiss the thought. Especially since he knew that at least 3 out of 4 of those he knew still awake contained magic within their veins. Which could only mean, if he was correct in his assumptions, that the magical were being spared; that Arthur must have…..

No, this was not the time to let his curiosity run away with him. He had no way to confirm or even prove his hypothesis…..he could always ponder such things later. Right now they had far more important things to do….such as regrouping.

"I saw Morgana a few seconds ago, she was still awake….I should check and make sure she still is…" Harry stated wincing slightly because he knew how suspicious the fact that he had just seen Morgana was. Hopefully Arthur was too preoccupied with what was taking place now to pick up on that fact.

Of course not.

"You just saw my Morgana? Where?" Arthur demanded, his attention for the first time sharpening and making it known that despite being frantic, that his intellect was very much present.

Here goes nothing—let's hope his lying ability was still in place despite having been torn into because of that very ability not moments before by a rather irate witch. "Um…in the forest….I was out collecting herbs for Gaius and I ran into her. She said she needed a walk to clear her head. I think she had another one of her nightmares and just needed to get away from Gwen's mother-henning for a bit…"

Harry breathed a silent breath of relief when Arthur accepted his excuse without question—but then again why should he question it? It wasn't as though he had any reason to suspect that Harry had actually been going to meet the witch for another reason entirely; a very illegal, magic wielding one.

The sound of leaves crackling under foot made Harry's previous statement obsolete as Morgana brought herself to them.

"Arthur? Harry? What's going on?"

The question in itself was completely rationale and expected—it was the rather apathetic shine to the beautiful girl's eyes that made Harry pause. He knew that he was being overly paranoid—most likely because he didn't like the fact that Morgana now held cards she could use to destroy him, but also because he still didn't know just where or who she had gotten those cards from—but he couldn't quite shake the feeling that the witch knew more then she should about what Arthur had just told him.

He watched her closely as Arthur quickly relayed what he had just told Harry to Morgana—the lack of real surprise (there was plenty of faked present) in the witch's face only deepened his paranoia. Did she know who had cast the curse?—because that was really the only thing that the lack of surprise could logically be—and if she did, what exactly was her relationship to them.

Because despite knowing that she herself was a witch, Harry knew (or at least he thought he did) that she did not have the power or knowledge to cast such a curse herself. But he had a feeling that she knew the person who did…..

The unknown definitely unsettled him.

For now though, there was nothing he could do, he definitely couldn't ask her about it with Arthur present that was for sure. And even without him present he was hesitant to do so….he did not want to rock the boat too much...he couldn't risk angering her right now. She had just barely agreed not to say anything about his past identity-in fact she hadn't really agreed, she had simply said that she needed to think on it.

He didn't want to risk casting magic against her when there was still a chance she could choose to keep silent on her own. So really….accusing her of being an accomplice in a dark spell wouldn't be the smartest of actions at this moment.

But it didn't mean he couldn't keep an eye on her until he had more proof.

-0—

(Hours earlier)

"Well?" Morgause demanded, impatience leaking from her tone and stance.

Mordred bit back a smug smile; he adored being the one in power, or at least in this case, the one with the information that the witch so desperately wanted. It did not happen all that often these days (though it would once he had successfully manipulated and replaced the greedy bitch) so he couldn't help but draw it out and savor the accomplishment.

Because he had news—big, possibly plan changing news….and it was HE not Morgause or Morgana who had procured it!

"I did as you requested…" he began more than a little amused to see Morgause lean towards him in a most likely involuntary motion. Her eagerness at his news betraying her through her bodies reaction.

"And?" she asked again motioning for him to get on with it.

Sighing he decided had gotten what little joy he could out of holding back and that he might as well do as ordered….plus he was curious to see how she would react to what he had discovered. He himself was not entirely sure what to make of it.

"I have been keeping an eye on the apprentice as you wanted me too….and while that turned out to be far more interesting then I thought it would be, that isn't what I wanted to speak to you about" Mordred began to explain.

It was the truth, he had initially thought that tailing the boy was just Morgause's way of exercising her authority over him—something to keep him out of her way but occupied—however that was before he had truly felt the boy's energy. It had taken less than a day of trailing after him (at a distance of course) to realize that the boy was brimming with an energy that could be nothing other than magic. Finding out that he was Emry's half brother had only strengthened the realization that this boy had the power and ability to drastically change the upcoming fight (because deny all they want, this magic vs. nonmagical disagreement would not be some peaceful discussion and mutual resolution—like Morgana was hoping, it would be a blood bath: With the most vicious and most powerful on the winning side).

Despite the fact that Henry didn't do anything really telling, per say (well outside of somehow disappearing at odd times of the day and losing even Mordred while doing so), there was just a feeling that something did not quite add up about the boy. And this was how he had felt about him before he had approached Mordred wanting to 'talk'.

The Henry that Mordred had spent so long observing was no where present in the boy's attitude when he had tracked him down last night…that was for sure.

If Mordred hadn't seen his face with his very own eyes he would have sworn that it was a completely different person who had come and spoken to him. There was a barely restrained fury to the boy's continence—a cold, flinty look in those green eyes that Mordred had not once witnessed in the weeks prior. He could admit (if only to himself) that the drastic difference in between the boy he had spoken with and the one he had spied on unnerved him.

But pushing past his unease—Henry had offered up both his allegiance and power enough to get Mordred what he so desired. He would just have to be careful with how much he revealed to Morgause. After all Henry had approached him not Morgause….it was only fair that he not the witch got the full benefit of their hastily struck deal.

There was a small part of his brain that whispered that the deal had been too good to be true. That Henry gave up far more then he received-after all, the only thing that he had asked for in exchange for helping Mordred with not only taking Camelot but disposing of Morgause and Morgana after was a simple potion (or fine, not so simple, but in comparison…). But still, even if it did seem a wee bit sketchy Mordred was not going to let the opportunity pass—if he had to risk a bit of trust well so be it. It would be worth it in the end. After all he was in the habit of pairing off with the most powerful allies—and if the power he felt off of Henry was anything to go by, he was a far better choice than Morgause was.

"Well spit it out! I haven't got all day to listen to you….we have other things to get to as you well know….I am confident that Morgana will do just as we expect her to do"

Mordred raised a skeptical eyebrow at that. Last he had heard Morgana had been brimming with doubts and hadn't been the nice little complying accomplice that Morgause had wanted. Even if Morgause had brought up a few secrets of Henry's (not that they knew much outside the fact that the boy had been going by a different name then he had used in the past-that and the whispers of not such a white and shiny persona that attached to the other name. Not that Mordred was all that surprised now that he had witnessed the major character shift when speaking to the apprentice) he didn't think it would be enough to give the girl the push she needed, to do what Morgause wanted her to do.

Morgause waved her hand dismissively at his silent doubts, "she'll do it. I can't see Henry reacting well to the accusations and questions she will no doubt throw at him. He strikes me as the type to get silent and defensive which will only play on the seeds of doubt that I have already sown and make Morgana lash out. And what better way to lash out but to do as I asked her to? After all she still thinks that no one will get hurt…." the sadistic grin that finished that sentence didn't surprise Mordred in the least.

He wasn't blind to the witch's cruel side, it was exactly that side that made him want to join her in the first place—she had the coldness to do whatever was necessary to remove Uther from the thrown. It was also that side that made him equally sure that he could not trust her and that he would have to remove her after their plans played out before she could remove him. Still—he was able to appreciate and admire her strategic manipulation of even her own half sister. It was cunningness at its best.

"But getting back on track what did you find out? And stop trying to evade the question….or I might think you have something to hide" the tone was light and teasing but the expression on her face was anything but.

Mordred was careful to keep his expression neutral when he expounded—naturally editing what he did not want her to know of course—"Henry approached me wanting to talk. He said that he is willing to help us….but wants to maintain his cover for a while longer"—there, that was close enough to the truth to pass but left out his own double dealings with the boy sorcerer.

A look of shocked disbelief flitted across Morgause's face, "Well….I must say I didn't see that coming. From what little I have seen of the boy—even outside of what we found out about his current lies—I didn't see him approaching us, much less offering his assistance…"

And there was definite suspicion in her not so hidden question. Mordred forced himself not to shift guiltily—he had no intention of giving himself away. Perhaps he would have to feed her just a little bit more information to satisfy her paranoia.

"To tell you the truth, it surprised me as well. But he wasn't acting at all like what I have come to expect. In truth if I hadn't spent the last few weeks studying his face- enough to recognize an imposter-I would have sworn he was a completely different person…but I could read no deceit in his offer. He seemed to truly mean that he was on our side. And you know how good my magic is at discovering lies…" Of course she knew. It was one of the reasons that she trusted him about as much as he trusted her—she knew that he would be able to tell that she was using him and therefore knew that he would be doing the same.

Yes it was a messed up, duplicitous partnership…but for the people that they were it was the only kind.

"Hmmm….curious…" Morgause face shifted into one of consideration before she shook her head her eyes flicking back to where Mordred was standing.

"What's curious? Do you suspect something?" Mordred asked neutrally. He couldn't help but wonder just what Morgause made from his truth lined lies.

"Perhaps….there are several things that can affect someone's personality in the way you are describing, from possession, to a curse, to simply being extremely skilled at acting….but whatever, it does not matter right now. Right now we need to focus on what we are going to put in place today"

And with that Mordred knew that the discussion regarding Henry while not over, was at least suspended until a later date. Though her suggestions did make him wonder….he had truthfully never heard of a possession that was so stable that it could be maintained over that length of time, it would have to be done by someone extremely powerful—both the host and possessor would have to have astronomical amounts of power to allow for such a thing. But the alternative, that Henry was just that skilled at lying, was equally as chilling.

Ignoring the small shudder that flickered up his spine Mordred pushed away his unease. He really hoped that he wouldn't regret making a deal with the boy….because somehow it felt as though he had shaken hands with devil himself.

-o—

(The day before)

-last time-

"Well….in my travels I have heard things sister. Ominous things, fanciful things, ludicrous even…..and I have heard stories about a boy—man out there….one whose physical description matches surprisingly well to your new friend…." Morgause began letting her mouth curl at the corner when she noticed Morgana had stilled and leaned forward as though anticipating her next words.

"This boy I have heard about…..well according to some circles- and not the socially polite ones at that- he goes by the name of Myror"

-last time-

"What are you trying to say?" Morgana found herself demanding, the furious need to defend her friend, her mentor, rising unbidden with a fury that surprised even her. Apparently she had grown more fond and protective of her friend then even she had suspected.

Though honestly, when one took the time to think about it, it wasn't all that surprising; after all he was the first person she had ever truly felt a connection with—truly felt safe enough to be herself with (because regardless of how she loved her half brother, or cared for Gwen, they did not know of her magic and therefore did not know her).

"I am simply suggesting sister, that perhaps you have given away your trust too easily…that is all. After all if he is truly the friend you claim he is, why would he hide something so big from you? Why would he hide his true identity?" Morgause asked her face one of innocence. Not that Morgana was stupid enough to believe that innocence….if her sister was asking such questions it was for more than just simple sisterly concern. Not that her sister wasn't concerned for her well being—she likely was, but Morgana was not naïve enough to think that there wasn't more than one purpose to her line of questioning.

"Where did you even get this information from? And can you be sure that they are trustworthy?—they might be lying…..and even if what you say is true, I'm sure he had a reason to change his name. It's not like changing one's name is a crime after all" Morgana denied, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in her gut at Morgause's words.

"Of course it's not….but it does raise the question of just why he changed it….and what else he might be hiding?" Morgause agreed—too easily in Morgana's opinion, and it did not escape her notice that Morgause had completely ignored her previous question about where the information had come from.

Still…..even if she didn't like what Morgause was saying, it didn't mean that her sister didn't have a point.

"If he truly is your friend….I'm sure that he wouldn't mind answering a few questions—after all like you said, he must have a good reason for lying. Don't you deserve to know it?"

And that was the cincher. Because as much as Morgana didn't want to believe what her sister was subtly (or not so subtly) implying—her rationale couldn't be faulted. By Morgana's own words, if Henry was the person and confidant that she thought he was, he should have no issue with telling Morgana the truth. He had lied after all….

"Fine. I'll ask him. He'll tell me the truth….I know he will" Morgana refuted her own doubt stubbornly.

"I'm sure he will" Morgause said comfortingly—though the mocking undertone made Morgana want to go find Henry and prove her wrong that much more. "Just remember Morgana—even if he does turn out to disappoint you….to be too wrapped up in your brother's devious affections, me and Mordred will always be here for you. With us—you will get what you truly want; an Uther free Camelot where magic is a gift not a crime"

Morgana wanted to laugh when she heard Morgause's claims about Arthur's affection for her friend. It seemed ludicrous and absurd to even contemplate….she had no idea where her sister had gotten that implication from….It was ridiculous.

But once again her traitorous mind brought forth memories of fleeting glances she had noticed but dismissed between the two, of a casual brush of her brother's hand against Henry's shoulder or arm on the rare occasion she had witnessed them together….of that odd run in weeks ago with a disheveled and nervous Arthur-she had been sure at the time that he had been hiding some cellar maid in the bushes but what if…..

No. There was just no way…..was there?

Because if so, it was yet another thing about her friend that she did not know. That he had purposefully hid from her….

She wanted to shy away from the all too knowing look in her sister's eyes.

No! She couldn't have been entirely ignorant to her friend's comings and goings. Plus even if she was, she was not entirely sure that she could completely trust her sister and her motives.

True, the picture that Morgause painted—a corruption free Camelot—was so very enticing, but she wasn't quite sure she could agree with her sisters methods. The plan that both she and Mordred had outlined before their conversation had taken a turn for the worse, had left her with an anxious churning in her gut. She knew they had promised that it was simply to wake everyone up to just how powerful magic could be (and wasn't that an ironic turn of phrase considering what the spell they were planning on enacting did?), they swore that no one would truly get hurt…..but she just didn't know.

She knew, deep down, what Henry would say if he heard their plan, and up until now (and okay, still did) she had respected and trusted him too much to truly listen to her sister's persuasive promises.

Was her trust misplaced? Was she respecting a lie? A fraud? Someone who didn't and had never existed?

The only way she could know for sure was to talk to him…..and hope that he would talk back.

(Fast forward to minutes before Harry and Arthur's meeting)

Morgana allowed her stiff posture to momentarily slump and the shuddering breath that she had been holding back to escape her lips. That hadn't been what she had wanted…..

It hadn't been what she expected—not truly. Yes, she had heard her sister's insistence that Henry would maintain his stubborn silence, that he wouldn't explain his reasons, but even when she had harbored the niggling of doubt she hadn't truly believed he would turn out to be just as her sister insisted; a liar, a fraud. There was nothing left to question now though.

She was surprised at how much it hurt.

(flashback)

"Morgana! Sorry I'm late…..I don't know what happened—I never oversleep! Anyway…sorry…" Henry panted out between gasping breaths as he hunched over, using a nearby tree for support. She almost smiled at the endearing sight he made; key word: Almost.

"Henry…." She returned his greeting carefully keeping her face blank of emotion, "Or should I say Myror?"

"I….What?" the boy asked his tone perfectly confused even as his head snapped up to meet hers. There was way too much wariness in his eyes for her to believe in the artifice of his words.

"You heard me. Tell me Henry why the lie? Who is Myror? Why didn't you tell me?" and the last was truly the precipice of it all. 'Why didn't you tell me when I have told you so much about myself? Why didn't you trust me with your secrets as I have mine?" –the unspoken questions were palpable as they hung limp and desolate in the spanning silence.

Never had she felt further away from the magician before her then she did in that moment.

"I-, Where did you hear that name?"

And the demand coupled with the way he refused to meet her eyes roused the, until then, quietly simmering anger.

"Is that all you have to say for yourself? No answers? No other pretty words or lies—heavens know I am likely a big enough fool to believe them!" there was no hiding the bitter admittance, even as her own eyes flashed with anger.

"I don't know what to say Morgana. I never meant to lie to you….it's- it's not what you think" Henry pleaded for her understanding—or was it Myror now? What was she suppose to call her supposed best friend?

"And what is it that I think Henry? Just answer me this, why?" Morgana's voice softened near the end. Despite what logic was telling her, she couldn't quite give up hoping that there was some rationale reason for Henry to be pretending to be another person. Maybe he was running from someone? –it could be possible….if someone back home had found out about his magic it would make perfect sense for him to run and change his name. She could forgive him if that was the reason—after all she had hidden her magic for how long before he had come into her life?

"I…I can't tell you….you couldn't understand" he stated softly his gaze once more trained on the forest instead of her.

And wasn't that rich? Wasn't this just what her sister had warned her about? Some stupid—not even excuse?

"How can you possibly know that without trying?" she insisted—not willing to back down on this.

"I just know Morgana, please trust me….maybe someday…" he trailed off, she could almost have sworn that there was a whispered 'maybe when I understand myself' but she dismissed it as hearing things.

"Why would I do that?! What reason have you given me to trust you?" and that was what it came down to. The Henry she had thought she had known for the past few weeks, the façade, was deserving of her trust…. this stranger—the REAL Henry…..well how was she suppose to know? She knew nothing about him…

"I know I haven't given you a lot of reason to trust me Morgana, I know things are just too complicated to be able to explain. I know I lied, but the man who helped you with your magic, the man who views you as one of his few friends here in Camelot…that was never a lie; that is still me. Just because my past name and history are not exactly as you know them does not make everything between us a lie. If you believe me on anything, believe me on that"

And that was the problem despite her hurt and anger she did believe him—at least to an extent. There was too much intrinsic trust between them and their magics to have her discard him completely. But still….

"I don't know….I just….I need to think, I need time" she said softly now being the one to avoid his pleading eyes.

"I-I understand. Just please Morgana….don't tell anyone…..I-I just, I can't have them know…not yet"

She wanted so badly to refuse, to laugh in his face the way she felt like he was laughing in hers with his continued refusal for the truth, but again, despite being different from who she had thought he was, she couldn't bring herself to purposefully hurt him like that…..even angry she knew this.

"Fine, I won't tell anyone….for now" She heard herself agreeing. And she wouldn't. At least until she had decided what to do with their new dynamic.

"Thank you"

(end flashback)

While their conversation had taken place only minutes before it already felt like an eternity had passed. She hadn't lied—at least not out right. She wasn't planning on telling anyone about Henry's past identity—not only because she didn't truly wish to hurt him (well outside of the small speck of teenage girl type vindictiveness she did her best to ignore) but because she really didn't know enough to tell (outside of the vague impression that it wasn't a good identity that he was hiding). But that didn't mean that she was willing to simply trust him.

Not anymore.

Morgause had been right with her insinuation that Henry wouldn't open up to her and it couldn't help but make her wonder what else Morgause was right about. It also made it clear to her that she needed to finally choose a side.

She had been waffling between going along with Morgause and Mordred's plan for Camelot for several reasons, but one of the biggest ones was that she didn't think that Henry would approve of their methods and she hadn't wanted to disappoint him. But after their conversation, it was clear to her that perhaps she shouldn't be concentrating so much on what Henry might think. Maybe it was time to concentrate on what SHE thought.

It was clear that Henry had a plan (whether or not it was over the same thing that Morgause's plan was didn't matter) and that he didn't feel fit to share those plans with her, so why should she hold back because of him? After all Morgause had promised her a utopia of magic and freedom-Henry would understand in the end.

Sure he might not approve of her sister's methods but it was the end result that mattered….right?

Plus…Morgause said no one was going to get hurt today—maybe this was her chance to show Henry and everyone else that she didn't need them to become a powerful, independent witch in her own right. Maybe if she seemed more competent and self sufficient Henry would see her worthy enough to share his secrets with.

Decision made, Morgana reached into her pocket for the familiar weight. Pausing momentarily to admire the golden sheen of the bracelet Morgause had given her so long ago she took a deep breath and slid it on.

Note:

Chapter title: From the nursery rhyme titled: Little Boy Blue

Little boy blue, come blow your horn,
The sheep's in the meadow, the cows in the corn.
Where is the little boy who looks after the sheep?
He's under the haystack, fast asleep