Third Person's Point of View

Arthur stood quietly beside his seat at the round table, watching as the druid elders and the Kings that made up the five kingdoms convened. He ran his hand along the smooth wood, his nail catching in a groove. He'd had the table commissioned shortly after his coronation, a representation of the new start his kingdom had undergone.

The Kings murmured amongst themselves as they took their seats, nervous and unsure of the druids nearby. As the various members of this newly birthed council sat, he called for silence.

"My Lords, my friends. You have been called here so we may discuss the changes I have made to the laws of Camelot. As one of the five Kingdoms, it is my duty to go over these changes with all of you. First and foremost, I have repealed the ban on magic. My beliefs differ from my fathers, and I am confident I have made the right decision."

"You have only just become King, and your first act is to go against your father's most staunch belief?" King Godwyn of Gawant spoke out.

"Yes, how can you be sure those with magic will not take this opportunity to gather and overthrow you? You could be setting yourself up for a coupe!" King Olaf added.

From beside him Gwen reached for his hand and squeezed it beneath the table, smiling encouragingly as doubts raged through his mind. He didn't believe that their doubts could come to fruition, but it stung that these men had such little faith in him. He supposed he shouldn't have been so surprised, he should have realized being young as he was would lead these men to think little of his capabilities as a ruler.

"I for one think those with magic have no place among us, they have proven time and time again throughout history that they are untrustworthy. Have we forgotten the reasons behind the Great Purge already?" King Rodor expressed. The men around the table, druids excluded, murmured among themselves.

Merlin stewed quietly from where he stood in the corner, arms folded tightly across his chest. These men, these Kings, knew nothing of the struggles the people of Camelot had gone through. Time and time again, those with magic, women and children were executed for the ability of possessing magic. Most had done nothing, or had only wanted to protect or heal their loved ones.

Arthur cleared his throat and the voices died. "To make myself clear, I did not convene this council to seek your approval in any way. I only sought to make you aware, and to keep the peace between the five Kingdoms. I will not change my decision based on your opinions. I am confident in the word both Albius and those within my kingdom have given me. My decision stands."

King Bayard smiled approvingly, nodding his head. Though somewhat disgruntled at Arthur's dismissal of their opinions, the others nodded in grudging respect.

Though his heart beat rapidly in his chest Arthur kept his composure calm and steadfast, pleased to see the objections die with his words. Albius smiled from across the table, pleased to see his new King honoring his word and their agreement.

Dear Morgana,

I must tell you how proud of Arthur you should be. His actions and bravery in the face of the Kings of Olin, Gawant, Mercia, and Nemeth were amazing! They questioned his ability to lead (not in so many words) and whether his decision to repeal the ban was wise, and he told them his decision would not be changed, and he did not seek their approval. It was astounding! Druids and magic users alike find Camelot a safe place to come to now, and it is amazing to see the life that has been breathed into the kingdom. Also, I thought you would like to know, I've seen and spoken with Mordred. He is well. I only saw him for a few moments, but he is the same as I remember, and he asked after you. On another note, I cannot express how much I miss you, and cannot wait to see you again. Perhaps I will come visit, with things going so well here I have much free time. I don't believe his royal pratness would miss me for a few days. Oh, I almost forgot. Arthur's uncle Agravaine arrived at court a few days ago. He says he's here to help Arthur through the dark times of Uther's death, but I can't explain it, there's something about him I don't trust. I hope I'm wrong though, for Arthur's sake. Sorry to end this on a sour note, I hope to see you soon.

Yours,

Merlin

Morgana folded the letter gently, fingers stroking the heavy paper thoughtfully. She remembered Agravaine vaguely, from when he'd visited once. She'd been very young, but something about him had always made her uncomfortable.

What troubled her more was the thought of Mordred. In her vision he had killed Arthur, and Arthur had killed him. To think that he was nearby, that her brother had been so close to him scared her tremendously. She had once felt something for Mordred, a kinship, a connection, but that bared no thought now that he was a danger to her brother.

She could not allow her past feelings for him to overshadow her need to protect Arthur. Blood was thicker than whatever she had shared with Mordred.

She stood from the chair by the fire and knelt by her cot, reaching beneath it. Wrapped in twine the few letters she'd received from Merlin were gathered together and tightly bound, kept safe under her bed.

She slipped his most recent letter to the top and replaced it beneath her cot. She got up off her knees just as Hunith came back inside, carrying a few flowers.

"It's quite late Morgana, what are you still doing up?" she asked, smiling gently as she placed her flowers in a small cloudy blue vase.

"I could ask you the same." She murmured teasingly.

Hunith sat down by the fire, laughing. "I suppose you could. I'm not quite sleepy yet, and I remembered the mums I saw earlier in the day, and I thought I'd pick them before I went to bed. And you?"

Morgana took a seat on her cot. "I received another letter from Merlin."

"Oh?"

"Yes. He says Arthur's been quite brave, that he stood with his decision and trusted those with magic."

"That's quite wonderful news isn't it?"

"Quite."

"Then what troubles you child?"

Morgana shook her head, but could not deny it. She was troubled at the thought of Mordred, and the dream she'd had not long ago. Mordred was destined to be Arthur's doom. She'd seen it. And yet, his clan now lived in Camelot. He was near, and it frightened her.

"There was a boy I cared for once. Very young. I now have reason to believe he may harm Arthur. I fear for him."

Hunith came to sit beside her. "But Merlin is there. He will keep Arthur safe, you know this."

"I do. But I feel as though, there is no way to stop what's coming. The thought of not having control, it scares me more than I can bare. I don't know how to stand this feeling."

Hunith tutted and pulled her close, wrapping her in a warm embrace. Morgana held her back, taking comfort in her presence.

"There are some things that we cannot change. Some things that I believe, are destiny. But, if you believe strongly enough, if you care enough, I believe it is possible to change destiny, to bend it to your will, so long as your will is good."

Hunith pulled back, smiling comfortingly.

"Thank you Hunith. Perhaps you're right."

She lay in a meadow, warm and smelling strongly of the flowers that surround her. Lilacs and daisies and wildflowers of every variation and color. She is alone, her fingers moving through the soft grass beneath her. There is not a thought that troubles her, not a worry that consumes her.

She hears rustling but it does not scare her, and from the bushes across the clearing Merlin walks out. He smiles, coming towards her.

Morgana smiles in turn, leaning up on her elbows. He came down beside her, leaning over her so that the he blocks the sun from her face. She reaches for him, her fingers coming to rest upon his cheek. He lowers himself closer, so that his lips come down on hers. She sighs into his kiss, her hand moving to the back of his neck.

His body rests more heavily on hers, his hips bracketed hers, his chest against her breasts. His lips trail to her jaw, to her neck, to rest upon her pulse. Her nails rake through his hair. She stares up, past him, to the sun.

Morgana startled awake, her skin flushed, eyes wide. She could still feel Merlins touch on her face. She breathed shakily, unable to understand the darkness in her heart. Her dream was kind, and happy, and full of joy, but she is left only with an unshakable feeling of dread.

It felt as though someone had dropped a giant weight onto her shoulders, as though a huge responsibility had been set onto her, yet she does not even know what it is. It tugged at her, leaving her feeling restless and confused. She cannot escape it, and thoughts of her vision crept steadily through her thoughts.

Again and again, she sees Mordred stab Arthur, unable to escape it. Her chest aches, almost as if her heart is crying out at the thought of what's to come. But she remembers what Hunith said, that perhaps destiny can be changed. And though the thought that perhaps she can change what is meant to come, the moment in time that plagues her replays in taunting clarity.

She turned on her side, burying her face in the pillow beneath her head. Into the fluffy down she screamed, hoping Hunith could not hear her.