TJTMaira- Thank you so much but I'm still debating it.

Autumn Moon Fae- Sounds good. Next chapter for Merlin and Morgana showdown.

JuniorWoofles- Dragon battle coming up.

Aithusa impatiently waited for her mistress to return. She had places to be, things to learn and discover. Life was just too exciting for a young dragon. Her magic still had not properly developed yet but she was showing she had a flair for healing magic. Although she had been all over the country, she had remained away from most people from the exception of Morgana, Merlin and the seers as she knew that they would not tell anyone about her existence. On the negative side, rumours were spreading quickly around King Gremian's kingdom about the 'witch' escaping on 'the mythical dragon'. Some people thought of this idea being ridiculous and instantly dismissed it but the wiser people grew worried about the witch. The appearance of the giant had frightened everyone and they had no doubt that the witch was behind. They were wrong. In fact the people of Gremian's kingdom were terrified of the 'insane witch' then they were of their barbaric king who would leave them to perish in a cell if they forgot to pay their taxes or even if they were heard complaining about the laws or insulting King Gremian and his knights. Kilgharrah had warned Aithusa not to let anyone see her apart from trusted people like the seers and Merlin.

"Aithusa, I have not seen you in a while," Kilgharrah roared landing next to Aithusa. Jumping around like a guilty child, Aithusa was horrified by the sight of Kilgharrah. Kilgharrah had warned her about Morgana and a boy called Mordred. He had told her to keep away from them unless she wanted to kill them which wasn't wise. Poor Aithusa had not understood why Morgana so hated because she seemed so innocent and vulnerable to Aithusa. Morgana had not done anything wrong except from trying to kill people who tried to kill her. That was fair. If they were trying to kill her than why could she not kill them.

"What are you doing?" Kilgharrah sternly interrogated. "You look like you are up to no good." Blinking innocently, Aithusa stared at Kilgharrah pretending to look puzzled.

"Why do you say that? I have just been for a pleasant visit to see the dochraid," Aithusa boomed, praying for Kilgharrah to go away. She needed to communicate with Morgana but she could feel the broken connection as Morgana's magic had been drained from her.

"You haven't happened to have seen anyone called Morrigan have you?" Aithusa's heart skipped a beat. Morgana had mentioned her sister being called Morrigan when she had been flown over here. Should she tell Kilgharrah? Better not risk it, Aithusa decided not wanting to upset Morgana.

"No," Aithusa unconvincingly replied.

"You don't sound sure," Kilgharrah snarled.

"I think I might of actually heard the name before. Morgana. Didn't you tell me to keep away from her," Aithusa innocently announced. Pretending to have misheard Kilgharrah was the easiest way out of this complicated situation. Her lying skills were letting her down dramatically.

"Morrigan not Mor-" Kilgharrah cut himself off before menacingly growling, "Talk of the devil."

"Aithusa," Morgana beamed, elated. "The dochr-" Morgana stopped horrified to see another dragon beside Aithusa. This had to be the dragon that Emrys commanded.

"AITHUSA!" Kilgharrah thundered. Kilgharrah was actually surprised at how human Morgana was. She had been grinning ear to ear when she had came out of the cave and her smile had only faltered when she had caught sight of him.

"MORGANA, RUN!" Aithusa warned. Morgana took off right away. Without magic and with only useless sword, which a dragon could demolish in a split second, she was defenceless.

...

"MERLIN" Arthur screamed impatiently for the third time. Merlin stood with one arm wrapped around Arthur's bed post and his head leaning on the post too. His eyes were unfocused and he seemed to be distant; in a dream. "MERLIN!"

"Yes, sire. Do you want your supper?" Merlin murmured still in a dream.

"I've already had my supper, dollophead," Arthur teased. Arthur frowned. There was defiantly something wrong with Merlin as he wasn't even reacting to Arthur using his own words. He had seemed rather distant the whole day but Arthur had just assumed that Merlin had been angry with him for yelling at him the day before. "Dollop head. Gwen is dead," Arthur invented trying to catch Merlin's attention. "Poetry, Gwaine would approve. Gaius is a traitor. Taverns. Mead. Wine. Cider. I am dead. Your are in hell. You are evil. I hate you. Elyan is a half wit cabbage head. Gwaine is sane. Mordred is something that a troll likes to eat. Leon eats dandruff. Percival is tiny and now this is getting extreme. You are a rose. You love Morgana."

"WHAT!" Merlin yelled. Arthur had finally managed to gain his attention.

"All I heard was that Leon eats dandruff and someone loves Morgana," Gwaine laughed walking through Arthur's a jar door. "That person wasn't me was it?"

"No. What are you doing Merlin?" questioned Arthur. Merlin looked at Arthur's bedpost shocked that he was leaning against it.

"Wood worm," Merlin sighed. He had no better answer.

"This is first and last time I will say it but I am sorry," apologised Arthur. He stared deep into Merlin's eyes with a winning look. Merlin just frowned and half shot daggers at Arthur. "Gwaine take Merlin back to his chambers and entertain him." Frowning, Gwaine led Merlin out of Arthur's chambers.

Arthur sighed deeply. Now he had another problem to cope with. First of all it had been the mysterious escape of his sister which had caused some citizens of Camelot to riot. The vast majority of people in Camelot knew that Arthur was too fair a king to riot and make trouble but you always got a few dodgy people in every town and city which you went to. Next it was fur news of King Gremian amassing a army which had caused Arthur great distress. It was at least five times the size of all of the soldiers of Camelot and the handful of King Stewart's loyal soldiers which had fled to Camelot when Callolith had been attacked. Now he had Merlin to worry about and Morgana. Who knew what evil plots his half-sister would be planning for Camelot.

...

Morgana's heart pounded against her chest as her feet thudded against the uneven forest floor. The daunting sight of Kilgharrah breathing fire right at her had startled Morgana and sent her on her way. After sprinting as fast as she could for five minutes, Morgana was exhausted and collapsed on the hard terrain, breathless. She could see her warm breath billowing out of her mouth into the freezing atmosphere. In Camelot the temperature had been quite steady all year round and snow came once a year at the most but the further north you got the colder it became and unfortunately for Morgana late winter was not a good time to be stuck outside in the freezing cold without magic. Pulling herself up off the crisp ground, Morgana started fleeing to keep her temperature up until she found somewhere warm to rest. Being kept in dungeons twice within the last couple of months had weakened her greatly so her stamina level was low. Morgana made her way through the pitch black forest stumbling over a couple of tree roots whilst battling against the raging winds. Soon the rain began to cascade down soaking Morgana and chilling her chest. A thin cloak and dress was defiantly not enough to protect the witch from the harsh winter weather.

Suddenly, Morgana noticed a flickering light away in the distance. Knowing that light meant fire and fire meant warmth, Morgana picked up her pace and headed towards the light. When Morgana managed to get close to building, she peered inside to find it full of sheep with a few cows and a horse but a small boy was snugly wrapped in a fur blanket beside the fire. Morgana quietly sneaked past him to a pile of fur blankets and took one. She could have easily beat the boy in a fight as he looked no older than twelve years old but she retreated to the other end of the barn away from the boy and warmth of the fire. There Morgana jumped onto a hay stack and wriggled her way into the middle of the stack with the fur blanket still clenched in her hands. Wrapping the blanket round herself, Morgana congratulated herself of thinking of this ingenious idea. It was impossible for anyone to spot her unless they shifted the hay and she was warm and comfortable. Falling asleep wasn't a problem but when she woke up she found herself in a rather difficult position

"Not again," Morgana murmured.

...

"TRAITOR!" Kilgharrah roared. Aithusa wanted to flee like Morgana did but she had more of nerve. " YOU ARE MY KIN AND YOU BETRAY ME!" Kilgharrah roared with fury before swiping at Aithusa with one of his large claws. Aithusa adeptly dodged it and took off into the air. She was not going to be able to out fly or defend herself from another dragon which was double her size so she began to look for a cave which she could fit into but not Kilgharrah. Drawing alarmingly close to Aithusa, Kilgharrah snapped menacingly at Aithusa's tail. Aithusa jolted to the right trying to trick Kilgharrah but Kilgharrah got the better of her and grabbed the younger dragon by the scruff of her neck. Dragging Aithusa back to earth, Kilgharrah jaws made blood seethe out of the ridge of her neck. Aithusa winced but lunged at Kilgharrah with her razor sharp claws lacerating Kilgharrah's back. Crashing to the ground Aithusa gave up struggling and let Kilgharrah swipe at her a couple of times. He would not kill another dragon especially when the other dragon was a young one and the only other dragon in existence.

"IF YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN THEN I SHALL KILL YOU!" Kilgharrah snarled spraying Aithusa with her own blood. Aithusa did not retaliate but instead whimpered a bit. Taking off into the air, Kilgharrah gave Aithusa a deadly look.

Once she was alone, Aithusa used a complex spell to heal her wounds. She did have a knack for those sort of spells. Then she set off to do what Kilgharrah had forbidden her to do- Aithusa was going to find Morgana. Whether it meant life or death, Aithusa would serve Morgana.

...

Gaius looked worriedly from Gwaine to Merlin. It had been a few minutes since Gwaine and a depressed Merlin had entered Gaius's chambers. Both Gwaine and Gaius had tried to talk to Merlin though Merlin had just ignored them.

"Merlin," Gaius said frustrated. "Does this have anything to do with Morgana." Once again Merlin did not reply. A moment of passion had almost made him kill someone he hated but Mordred had interfered and Merlin had given in. After all, Merlin did not want Mordred to kill Arthur and needed to gain Mordred's trust. He had almost began to think that he had gained Mordred's trust when Mordred had walked in when he had tried to kill Morgana. Alas, Merlin was back to stage one of gaining Mordred's trust.

Meeeerrrrlllliiiinnnn, a telepathic voice said.

Kilgharrah is that you? Merlin alertly replied.

Yes it is, young warlock. I have a quest for you that may take under an hour but pack as you may be away for a few days. Met me in the usual clearing in half an hour. Arthur's life could be in mortal danger.

Alright

"I am going away for a few days on a quest," Merlin decidedly said, making Gwaine and Gaius jump. Merlin headed up to his chambers grabbed a handful of spare clothes and a few blankets.

"Merlin. What is this quest?" Gaius implored.

"I don't know but it will probably decide whether Arthur lives or dies." Gaius hastily handed Merlin a cloak which Merlin wrapped around himself and then embraced him quickly.

"I'm coming with you," Gwaine announced but Merlin shook his head and Gwaine dejectedly stepped back.

"What should I tell Arthur if he asks where you are going?" Gaius asked.

"Say I'm in Ealdor or something. Tell him I'm anywhere but the tavern," Merlin ordered before sprinting out of the door into the distance.

"I've got a brilliant idea," Gwaine rejoiced. "Tell Arthur that both Merlin and I are at the tavern." Gwaine jogged towards the door

"Where are you going," Gaius questioned.

"I'm going after Merlin," Gwaine replied.

"Good luck." Gwaine merely nodded his head before darting out of the castle to get a horse and ride after Merlin.

...

Odd, Gwen thought. She had seen Merlin ride out a couple of minutes ago and now Gwaine was riding out. Something was going on. Elvina had bid her good night an hour ago so Gwen knew that she would not be missed until the morning. Slipping out of night gown into her riding outfit, she decided to go out to see what was going on. As Gwen put her cloak on, she decided to make a detour to the armoury to get a sword just in case she got attacked. If she could not find where Merlin and Gwaine had gone then she could just go for a ride on her gentle mare. She missed the freedom of just being a common person and this sounded like a great adventure to her. Grabbing a sword, she bounded to the stables to tack up her pearly white mare. Her mare looked slightly annoyed to have been woken up and tacked up with such haste but the mare only gave a soft whinny in surprise.

"Hush now girl," Gwen soothingly whispered. "We don't anyone to think that we are up to no good."

Clip, clop, clip clop. Gwen's mare pricked up her ears so Gwen firmly held the reins and peered out the stable door. There was a cloaked figure on a midnight black horse. As they galloped out of the courtyard, the figures hood fell down to reveal the figure's face. It was Mordred. Gwen quickly mounted her calm mare before nudging her heels into the mare's side and pressing the horse on. They took off at a pretty fast pace so that Gwen could just see Mordred in the distance. Gwen did not catch up with Mordred but stayed slightly behind. This her mystery and she would soon be able to see who was in trouble and who was up to no good.

...

The small boy was staring at her with a glinting sword in his hand. It was still night but Morgana could tell that it nearing dawn. Perhaps an hour or two until daylight came upon her.

"I know who you are," the boy muttered nervously. "You are the witch. You are Morgana Pendragon."

"Yet, you point a sword at me. Magic beats blades. Surely you know that," Morgana taunted. The boy's sword trembled but he looked fiercely at her.

"If I hand you to King I'll get ten thousand gold pieces so I'll never have to the in poverty," the boy said cheerfully. Morgana edged further away from the boy and beside the raging bull who was kicking and straining. "There are King Gremian's soldiers outside coming for you and then I will get my money." A sharp rap on the barn door woke Morgana up. She was weaponless but a great plan suddenly came to her brain.

"She's here," the boy yelled turning his head away from Morgana for a split in this split second. In this split second Morgana undid the tight knot in which the coarse rope tethered the raging bull to.

"Get the witch," a soldier ordered.

"I do not think so," Morgana hissed flinging herself upon the vicious bull. Slapping it's back Morgana held on tight and they set off at fast pace. The bull thrashed out and kicked at several soldiers while Morgana dodged all the weapons that were being shot or swiped at her by King Gremian's soldiers.

"Take down the beast but keep the witch alive," shouted a soldier. A soldier managed to stab a sword in the bull's side making the the bull unleash more fury. The bull knew it was game up time and decided to flee. Hastily finding the door of the building, the bull rampaged out of it. Fleeing down the field several soldiers which were still unscathed chased after the witch and the untameable beast which was rearing and trying to fling Morgana off. Riding a bull was no different from riding a wild horse which you had no control of. Morgana gasped the bull was heading for a marshy ditch which had a layer of paper thin ice.

Morgana, shut your eyes and stay still, ordered a telepathic voice. Instantly Morgana obeyed and shut her eyes.

Let go. Let GO! LET GO! Come on. Morgana you trust me. Morgana eventually let go off the bull's rump and found herself being carried into the distance. It took her to seconds to open her eyes and find it was Aithusa.

"Aithusa? Where are you taking me?" Morgana wondered aloud.

"Back home and then I must go somewhere else so that Kilgharrah does not suspect me of consorting with you. You must set out to find the seers right this instant to get there before Emrys," Aithusa commanded.

"Emrys knows?"

"Yes. Kilgharrah, the big red dragon, went and asked the Dochraid what you were doing there and then he went and told Emrys. Aithusa landed softly and placed Morgana before soaring, with great haste, into the midnight sky to confront Kilgharrah. Morgana burst into her hovel finding Morrigan making some food.

"Where have you been Morgana," Morgana worriedly said. "There is food if you want it. It tastes horrible but none of the plants I used are poisonous because I've tasted. I sup-"

"Morrigan, I do not care," Morgana snarled fastening her cloak. "My future depends on this. I may not be back for a few days but you know how to survive but do not follow me as it could result in your death." With this Morgana swished her cloak and went into the wilderness

'Do not follow me,' whenever anyone says that why do I have to follow them, thought Morrigan.

'Borrowing' one of Morgana's cloaks, Morrigan set off after Morgana. Morrigan found herself at a farm wondering what business Morgana had there. When Morgana emerged from a barn with a half tacked up horse (bridal on the horse but not saddle), Morrigan realised that she had only walked here to loot a horse. Setting into the barn, Morrigan selected a chestnut excited filly as the other two horses weren't built for sprinting. Unlike Morgana, Morrigan made sure that she tacked up the filly properly as she wasn't that confident at riding horses. Morrigan could still see Morgana at the other side of the field warming up her horse but Morrigan decided to risk it and not warm up her horse- she would not have the time. Kicking her heels into the filly's sides, Morrigan set off into the edge of the forest after Morgana.

...

Meanwhile, when Gwen had been getting ready to ride out and Morgana had escaped on a mere bull, Merlin had met up with the dragon. The Great Dragon had told him that Morgana was going to ask the seers, how Arthur was going to die. Therefore he had galloped into the distance making Gwaine find it hard to keep up with him. Gwaine had just been able to keep up with Merlin and had just been able to catch him when Merlin had stopped to let his have a little rest. Allowing Gwaine to come on his quest, Merlin and Gwaine had continued to gallop on not realising that Mordred or Gwen were following them. It was early morning by the time Merlin and Gwaine had arrived at the cave where the seers were said to stay.

"We made it without even getting lost," gasped Gwaine in surprise. "I never knew that you could read maps."

"You are a clotpole then," Merlin retaliated. "Two horses tethered outside the cave can only mean one thing. It means that Morgana and her sister have got here before us. Remind me to ask you a question later Gwaine." Gwaine and Merlin both quickly dismounted their horses and headed into the cave.

Mordred who had been hiding behind the trees had been watching Merlin and Gwaine intently. He clicked his tongue and urged his horse onwards to the entrance of the cave before dismounting it and turning around.

"Gwen, I know you are here," Mordred said coolly. Guinevere knew that there was no point of hiding and trotted out of the trees on her mare. "Do not come in. Morgana is in there and so are other magical users."

"Then what are Merlin and Gwaine hoping to achieve since they both went in there?" Gwen asked dismounting her horse.

"You underestimate them," Mordred laughed before entering the cave. "Ride back to Camelot, Gwen. The wilderness is no place for a queen." Gwen rubbed her mare's ears for a couple of minutes before willing herself to go in. There had to be something else as well as Morgana being there for Merlin, Gwaine and Mordred not to call up the army of Camelot. As she headed towards the cave her tethered horse shook her silvery mane and snorted.

"But go I must," Gwen softly whispered striding into her cave.

If Gwen knew what was going to happen she would not have entered that cave of doom.

...

"Merlin. MerLIN! MERLIN!" Arthur screamed in fury. He needed that half wit servant of his to make his breakfast and do whatever else needed doing. A soft knocking sound came from the door. Arthur gave an exasperated sigh expecting it to be Merlin apologising for his lateness though it was quite unlike him to knock.

"Enter," Arthur commanded. Elvina nervously opened the door shocked to see Arthur still in his bed.

"I'm sorry, sire but have you seen Queen Guinevere this morning," Elvina quietly stammered

"No," Arthur shortly replied. "Have you seen Merlin."

"I can't say I have, sire. It is nearly noon though and I have been up for five hours and have not seen, her majesty."

"NOON? When I see that servant of mine, he shall be in severe trouble and in the stocks," Arthur furiously mumbled. "Elvina, could you please ask anyone if they have seen the queen this morning. Try the knights first."

There came another rap at Arthur's door.

"ENTER!" Arthur shouted, unsuccessfully hiding his anger. Sir Leon strode in the ajar door beside Elvina.

"Forgive me, my lord, but I could not help hearing that Gwen has vanished. I'd also like to report that Sir Gwaine and Sir Mordred are missing too," Sir Leon announced.

"That makes Merlin, Gwaine, Mordred and Guinevere all missing in the same morning. Rather mysterious don't you think. Get a squadron of guards to ask people in Camelot whether they have seen any of these people today," Arthur ordered. "And, Elvina, tell a certain servant called George that he can be my temporary manservant." Both Sir Leon and Elvina muttered, 'My Lord' and simultaneously bowed their heads before leaving Arthur alone.

Arthur closed his eyes in desperation. Now he had another problem to add to his list. Three of his good friends had mysteriously vanished. But worst of all so had his wife- Gwen

Name for Gwen's horse competition. I'm bored of calling it 'mare' so I need a feminine name for it. Remember it is pure white. Either leave me the name in a review or pm me. I will choose the best one to use it in the next chapter. Thanks for reading! Review!