So there is some oocness in this chapter, that I am uncertain about just like I am with all my writing. I also apologize for not getting it up as quick as the others. School started. I'm not going to be giving you guys an update schedule or anything because I'll just keep on putting it off. A battle, and Merlin in the next chapter.

Getting Mordred into Camelot was a lot easier than getting him out. It was odd they had basically waltzed in with him. They could have hid him under Morgana's skirts like she suggested, but they all knew that would end badly, and Arthur had made an off handed comment about how he didn't want to scar the boy.

They collectively decided that Mordred was to stay in Morgana's room just as before. He was easy enough to hide there, and they wouldn't need to worry about prying eyes from people who didn't know what they were planning. Mordred wasn't sure about the idea, but he didn't say anything. He was still quiet as ever, always observing.

Once in Morgana's room they began to plan, "We need a reason to go to Mercia," Morgan first pointed out. Merlin was a great reason, but not a reason that would pass with Uther.

Arthur paced, he tried to think of something. Any act of walking into Cenred's kingdom would be seen as war. It wasn't something they could take lightly. "My father doesn't want to declare war, so we will have to be sneaky about it."

"What if we dressed as peasants, or travelers," she suggested.

Morgana liked the idea, but Arthur shook his head, "No, that won't, even in a disguise the men of Mercia would know who I was."

Arthur could hear Merlin saying something about how his head was too big, his blond hair shown to brightly and tipped them off from a mile away, he had no manners, let alone any idea of what a peasant was like or could do. Arthur sighed, at the thought that he now had to supply Merlin's commentary. He rather the idiot did it himself.

"We'll converse tomorrow, it is getting late," Arthur said, defeated. Everyone didn't like the idea, but they had had a long journey. A few days worth and they needed rest. It would be best that they talked again in the morning.

Morgana nodded, Gwen looked at her, "Would you like a sleeping draft, my lady?"

Morgana shook her head, "No, thank you Gwen. I think if I have any nightmares about what is to happen, we need to listen to them."

Arthur had left, Gwen turned down the bed, and prepared the space for Mordred, who just eyed her. It creeped Gwen out, but the boy was sweet. He gave her a smile as she left. Morgana had changed, and was now sitting on the bed.

Mordred was walking around the room, running his hands along the expensive and intricate things. He wasn't able to do this last time because of his injuries. Morgana finally spoke, "Do you remember the man that helped with your injuries?"

Mordred nodded, "He is Merlin's I guess, the best way to put is father. He is very kind and helps with my nightmares, but I have come to think they aren't just that."

Mordred stopped, and turned, but said nothing. He was listening to Morgana.

"I see what could happen, and it scares me, and I think that is why I wake up. I think that's why they are taken as nightmares."

"You are a seer." Mordred spoke, his voice soft. "You see a possible future."

Morgana nodded, her lips tight she knew. "Should I hate Gaius, for not telling me. I fear he knew, and Merlin as well."

Mordred shook his head, "Power is scary. Telling people they have it, is even scarier. Not knowing where it comes from; is terrifying."

Morgana looked at him, he was beyond his years. "You know where it comes from, you must study it."

Mordred shook his head, "Its never clear why certain people are chosen to have magic." He walked over to Morgana, "Merlin," he paused, wondering if he should say the Warlock's true name, but refrained, "Has been prophesied about. He will return magic to the land, he needs his time though."

Morgana smiled, "You should get to bed. We'll figure out how to help Merlin in the morning."

Mordred nodded and went to his little alcove. He did not sleep well, despite the comfort. He worried for Merlin. He occasionally felt a twist of pain. He wasn't sure what it was from, probably his mind reaching out and creating something for him to feel. He wanted to help.

They had discussed possible solutions for a week, and still nothing. They could not think of a possible way. Morgana had suggested magic, which was turned down, not because it was a bad idea, but because Cenred might take her, and to an extent Mordred. They did not want to risk that. Morgana was frustrated by that, but Arthur convinced her that her place was to help him not be captured, he didn't want to lose her like he had Merlin.

By week's end Morgana did in fact have a dream. It was one of war. Cenred's army was marching, and tied to Cenred's horse was Merlin. He was made to walk, but in the dream he was practically being dragged. Morgana could see a collar around his neck, and those horrid cuffs. His books looked as if in a few more steps they would be no more. His ribs were seen, his beautiful blue eyes were hazy and grey. His pants barely stayed on and slipped with each step. He looked marred and scarred.

When Morgana revealed this to Gwen, Arthur, and Mordred the reactions were mixed. Gwen cried, and had to sit on the bed to get a hold of herself. Arthur remained stoic, but anyone could tell the way his jaw tensed he wanted to hit anything and everything and was very much restraining himself.

Mordred however looked mortified. He could see the picture in his mind, and his idol the man he aspired to be and he crumpled. He fell to the ground, and Morgana rushed to his aid. "Mordred, are you okay."

He shook his head, and spoke to her with his mind, I see what happens to him, and everything hurts. He cannot die, Morgana.

Morgana hugged him. She felt the same when she had the dream. She felt like something was torn from her. Merlin was the essence of magic, and the way the two were affected was different from Arthur and Gwen, though all were in pain the same.

Arthur had no more time to think about it, as he had been called to a council meeting. The Mercian army was headed towards Camelot. Looks like Arthur didn't need a reason to go to the kingdom. They were coming, with Merlin. Morgana was correct.

Arthur went pale, and did not speak during the council meeting. They were going to go to a war they were not ready for.

He had gone back to Morgana's room, and relayed the information. "What are we to do?" Gwen asked.

"Get Merlin," was Arthur's reply.

"Arthur, what if they plan on using him?" Morgana asked. "He has magic, what if they plan on using him to help with their needs."

Arthur thought for a moment, "Merlin wouldn't."

Gwen was sitting in silence; she locked eyes with Mordred for a second. They both had an understanding and it was that they did not like where this conversation was going.

"Merlin has told me he would die for me, and I believe that still to be true." He paused, and looked at Morgana, "I have had a lot of time to think and process all I have learned. Merlin challenged me the day we met, said he could take me out with less than a blow. And he could, but that's just it, he could. But he wouldn't. I trust Merlin, and I trust that he would not betray me like that, even under torture."

Mordred's voice was soft, "You put as much faith in him, as he does you. I can see it, in your eyes."

Arthur was still shocked when Mordred spoke, which was still not a lot, "And how does that bode for our cause?"

Mordred thought, "Very well."

A week later the army was close, but Camelot was much more ready than he had planned, than anyone had planned. A fire was lit, inside everyone. Camelot was a symbol of hope for many people in many different ways. It only took time now.

When Cenred's army was within sight of Camelot, the panic rose in the castle. But Arthur remained calm. In fact all the nobles did, it was the servants who felt uneasy. The calm felt like a calm before a storm. The nobles were good at hiding it, but the servants began to get jumpy. They were scared of doing the wrong thing.

Uther had called another council meeting to discuss final things for battle preparations. The goal was to prepare for siege, and keep Cenred's army out. They didn't have the numbers to fight the army, but they had the numbers to be on defense.

Arthur agreed with the plan, but it did make it harder to figure out how to get Merlin, so he suggested that the strongest knights and himself, ride out to try and negotiate with Cenred, before the fighting began. He wanted to avoid the war that seemed inevitable now.