Well, it's one day later than I hoped to get this up by, and it's still slightly shorter than I would have liked... But it just ended in a nice spot, so I think I'm going to have to leave all of you lovely people with the following chapter as is :P

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin

Chapter 18

"-nan apæ lóclóca."

Arthur looked down at his hands, turning them over a few times, before raising his gaze to the young Warlock standing in front of him.

"There's no difference," he pointed out, somewhat confusedly.

Merlin shook his head slightly, and Arthur could just detect the beginnings of an eye-roll.

"There won't be as far as you're concerned," explained Merlin, "because you already know that you're there. This isn't a true invisibility spell- it just sort of prevents people from noticing you as long as you stay within ten feet of me. As long as none of us do anything to draw attention to ourselves, it should be that nobody even realizes that we're there."

To the Prince's right, Kennard was studying his own hands, his expression thoughtful. Then he, too, faced Merlin.

"What about those men? They were able to sense your magic before- what if they do again?"

"Earl- yesterday, I was rushed. I had to do things on the spur of the moment, so I couldn't cover every possibility. This time, I've blocked the spell's magical scent. Basically, I've made it so that it's unnoticeable to all but the strongest of magic-users. And even then, they would have to be extremely close. Unless we're in the same room as Morgause or that one man from before, everything will go to plan. As far as I can tell, they're the only ones near here who are strong enough."

Arthur felt that oh-so-familiar burst of anger rise up within him at the mention of Morgause's name. A short while ago, Merlin had scryed the city, using an old pot they had dug out from the corner of the room and some water from Kennard's flask. Together, the four of them had gathered round and watched as the Blonde-haired witch strode confidently in to the city, the peoples' only reaction to her presence lying in the form of vague, welcoming smiles. It made the Prince's blood boil to think of what poison she must have been feeding Morgana's mind for the past six months. The Morgana of the past would never have even dreamed of doing anything like this.

But now wasn't the time to dwell on past misdemeanours. The present was much more important. And with Morgause in the city, it could only mean that the sisters' plan was nearing it's completion. Merlin, Arthur, Kennard and Guinevere would have to move fast if they wanted to counteract the enchantment in time. With that in mind, Arthur set his jaw, gathered all the confidence he could muster, and gestured towards the exit.

"Right then. Let's go and find our first vessel."

As the two sisters neared the throne, Morgause split off from Morgana, moving over to stand in a position where she could easily oversee the events. Morgana noted, with a thrill of satisfaction, that no-one even blinked an eye at the Blonde's presence. Not even that tyrant King. And no-one would. At least not until the sisters let them.

Morgana herself made her way up on to the platform where the throne sat, and took her place at Uther's left side, studying the crowds of enchanted nobles contentedly. The only thing, in her opinion, which would have made the moment any better, would be if the Prince were also present. After all, she had a nice little surprise in store for the two royals, once the coronation was over with. It just wouldn't be quite as amusing without it being bestowed upon the pair. Still, it appeared she may just have to settle for the worse of the two. Arthur himself was merely a puppet- he was nothing without orders. No threat.

"It is time," began Uther, snapping Morgana out of her thoughts as he addressed the room, "for a new era to dawn in this Kingdom. For a new ruler to step out of the shadows, and take her true place upon the throne. This new ruler has, after more than half a year, finally found her way back to her home." The elder man turned, a proud smile on his face even while his eyes were blank, and took his ward's in his before continuing. "In light of Morgana's return to Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, do relinquish my position as this Kingdom's King!"

With a mental order from Morgana, a light scattering of applause echoed around the chamber. She could see Morgause at the front of the crowd, and could tell from the gleam in the Blonde's eyes that she was just as eager for the ceremony to be completed as Morgana herself. This was what they had been planning for all this time. And it was finally coming in to fruition.

The people turned as one as Geoffrey of Monmouth stepped forward from his position somewhere to the left of where Morgana stood. Taking the crown from the now former King's head, he gestured for Morgana to sit. She did so, her stunning purple dress flowing gracefully in the process, and remained there, proudly, as the old man placed a somewhat more elegant royal headpiece placed on her own head.

Just before he took his hands away, Morgana had Geoffrey say the words which would make the entire ceremony official.

"By the power vested in me, I Crown thee, Morgana le Fay-"

"Pendragon."

Morgana snapped around, both her and her sister staring at the former King. The rest of the people remained frozen in place, showing no reaction in the slightest bar a sudden and complete lack of movement.

"What did you just say?"

Uther smiled giddily, his eyes unfocused. "It should be Pendragon. You are, after all, my daughter."

Morgana herself froze then, and her breaths became hitched. What had he just said?

Seeing her sister's distress, it was Morgause who stepped forward, the air around her crackling with magical energy.

"Morgana is the daughter of Vivienne and Gorlois. What do you mean by 'Pendragon?' Explain."

"Morgana is the child of Vivienne and myself. She is my daughter."

Morgana could feel herself shaking, her breaths coming in short, sharp bursts. She knew that, in the state he was in, it would be impossible for Uther to lie to her. Which meant that this was the truth.

"All this time," she breathed, "I was..."

She could feel herself losing her focus, her vision blurring, her grip on reality weakening. What did this mean?

But then her sister was there, her caring hands steadying Morgana's shaking form.

"Sister. Sister."

Emerald eyes locked on to brown, and Morgana found herself latching on to Morgause's every word. If there was one thing she could be certain of right now, it was that her sister could be trusted.

"Sister, you need to stay strong. We can discuss this later. Right now, what is important is that you focus on the task at hand. Uther may have betrayed you, but just think of how you will soon be repaying him."

Calming herself slightly, Morgana nodded, giving the other woman a brief nod. She didn't think she was capable of talking just yet.

The elder woman moved back to her former position, and Morgana allowed the ceremony to continue on from before. There was just one difference.

"I crown thee, Morgana Pendragon, Queen of Camelot."

He he. So Merlin and gang are off to find a vessel, and Morgana is now Queen. Plus, there seems to be some sort of 'surprise' hanging in the air for dear ol' Uther. What'll it be? You'll have to wait to find out :P

(Oh, the end of the spell was 'none can see.')

I'm not entirely sure when I'll be able to get the next chapter done by, as this month is absolutely chock-a-block with exams now. I'll try to get one (or more) done each week, but I'm afraid I can make no promises :'(

Please review! Or I'll have to revert to being extremely mean to Merlin. And I don't want to do that...