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"He wants us in Camelot?" Morgana's voice was disbelieving as she looked at her friend. "Now?"
"Yes," Merlin said. "He wants us to spend the weekend at Camelot."
"Should we?"
Merlin nodded and exchanged a look with Morgana.
"He met with the Queen this morning," Merlin's struggled to keep his voice even. "And I think that made him start to remember."
Morgana's breathing quickened. It was finally happening; maybe this was the start of their absolution.
"She will always be the heart of him," Morgana's voice broke as she said the words.
Merlin stood silently as Morgana took control of her emotions. The witch's past had slowly caught up with her, and while hate once fueled her actions, the guilt and remorse that came after it was what was truly threatening to destroy her.
"Morgana," Merlin said after a while. "Are you ready?
He had learned a long time ago that letting Morgana dwell on these emotions was not a good idea. It nearly drove her mad once, and it took Merlin a long time to repair the damage caused by her guilt.
"Let her die," he remembered Arthur's words from long ago. "I don't want her to be saved.
Merlin looked at the king. The golden glow that he had always associated with Arthur was long gone. There was no light left in his friend, it had gone with the Queen.
"Guinevere would want her to be saved," Merlin had countered softly as he laid his hands on the dying witch to begin healing her soul.
Arthur had been quiet and after a while Merlin heard his footsteps walking away. Merlin knew that this was as close as he would get to acquiring Arthur's permission.
Merlin hid Morgana in Time. Hoping that the ages would protect her the way he would never be able to. It took Time for Morgana's mind to calm and for her soul to mend, and when he came back for her, much of her power was gone.
"It's the price I have to pay," Morgana explained when he asked what happened. "An eye for an eye."
"Then why are you alive?" The question was out of Merlin before he could stop it.
"My...forgiveness will come at the pleasure of the Queen," Morgana had whispered. "My life as well."
"Guinevere?" Merlin was shocked. "She's mortal. She has no power."
Morgana shook her head.
"She is the power, Merlin," she corrected him gently. "She brought Camelot to its knees without drawing blood."
"We killed her, Morgana," Merlin had whispered. "We've been killing her for ages."
Morgana nodded.
"Am I damned as well?" Merlin asked, fear making his voice shake. He was sure of his power, but he knew that even he was not exempt from the justice of Time.
"We all are," Morgana looked at the warlock. "You. Me. Arthur."
Merlin pulled himself away from the memories, and focused instead on the woman before him who was visibly trembling in fear.
"Morgana," Merlin knelt in front of his friend. "Don't be afraid. I will be with you."
"Yes," she clutched at his hands. "Thank you."
Merlin put an arm around Morgana and helped her stand up.
"We have to go now," he said gently, reminding them of their waiting boss. "You know how impossible Arthur can be."
"He can stand to be kept waiting," a small smile formed on Morgana's lips. "You would think that time would have tempered his attitude."
"Once a prat," Merlin began.
"Always a prat," Morgana completed the sentence.
They looked at each other and laughed. They had changed so much, friendship replacing the animosity and distrust that had fueled their wars over the ages. They were still the most powerful magical beings of any day and age, even if their abilities had been diminished.
But for the first time, they could do nothing to influence the world. They were hostages in this age, and they had to trust that the love that they had taken for granted in the past would save them now.
"Let's get this over with," Morgana's voice was strong now. Determination flashed from her eyes.
Merlin nodded. He kept his arm around his friend as they made their way upstairs to get ready for their audience with the king.
