Merlin didn't know how long he'd been asleep when he felt a hand touching his back. He jerked awake and sat up, only to find Morgana crouching down beside him. He blinked, and mumbled groggily, "What's wrong?"

She shook her head, her hair falling down like a screen, covering her face. "Nothing. Just a dream."

He saw movement out of the corner of his eye, he glanced across at Arthur and saw he'd also stirred. The prince gave Merlin a slight nod and turned away.

Merlin grunted, still half-asleep. "A dream of things to come?" She nodded, her hair shimmering, and he asked, "You want to tell me about it?"

"No." She was quiet, the dream had been about him and her, of a future she'd never imagined. It left her unsettled and also with a strong urge to see him, regardless of the time of night.

His voice was husky with sleep. "Uh, do you want to stay here, with me?"

She nodded, and wordlessly he flipped open the blanket, offering her the space beside him nearest the fire. She climbed over him and laid down, her head on his outstretched arm, he covered them both with the blanket and settled down on his back. He was too tired to think about why she was here, he decided for now just to accept it unquestioned. She rolled over onto her side, facing him, resting her head against his chest, her hand on his stomach.

He stroked her hair absently for a moment. "Then go to sleep, Morgana."

Strangely, she did go to sleep, fairly quickly too. She relaxed against him, her body grew heavier and her breathing gradually deepened. But now, despite his own tiredness, it took him a while to drop off again, the strange intimacy of the situation wasn't lost on him. What they were doing now was as intimate as when they were kissing, perhaps more even more so. Only couples in relationships slept in each other's arms, and that was as far as he could get as a description of where him and Morgana were up to, they weren't even friends. And he couldn't even imagine holding a friend while they slept, not like this, it crossed over personal space boundaries.

Yet here she was asleep, snuggled up against him, and he didn't mind, he liked it, he realised he liked it a lot.

He found himself reaching out and touching her face, his fingers stroking back and forth across the smooth skin of her cheek. Why had she really sought him out? Was she beginning to trust him so quickly, despite the constant conflict between them? It didn't seem possible. Was it the magic pull between them interfering again? Was she going to give him a chance to mend this?

He fell asleep with his mind turning over possibilities, and when he woke up the next morning to the dying embers of the campfire he was alone on the bedroll. It took him a moment to remember Morgana, when he did he sat up abruptly, only to be surprised, because she had a blanket around her shoulders and was sitting not far away ... beside Arthur. Both of them looked awkward but at least there was no overt hostility.

He ran a hand through his hair and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Lancelot and Gwaine weren't awake, and no one else was up yet. The early morning had a crisp freshness about it, and it was chilly. Merlin threw a few more logs onto the campfire, using a twist of magic to stir up the flames again.

A pot of tea was leftover from last night but it was cold, Merlin poured some into a cup and concentrated for a moment. He held it up to Arthur. "Want some? It's hot now."

The prince arched an eyebrow but reached out for the cup, Merlin did the same for Morgana then himself. Arthur and Morgana moved apart, Merlin sat down on the log between them and they all sat in silence for a while, sipping the hot drinks.

Then Morgana spoke, her voice quiet in the still morning air, she didn't want to wake the others. "I've decided, Merlin." He turned to her, twisting the mug in his fingers. "My answer is yes, I want you to mix the magic. But my reasons aren't the same as yours. You think you'll change me, but I'm doing it because I want to be the best at something, and you're giving me that chance. I saw what Thea did for Morgause, and I want that knowledge too."

Merlin took another sip of the steaming tea. "That's okay. Our reasons may not be the same but the end result will be."

She shook her head. "I can't promise either of you anything." Her glance took in Arthur too.

The prince placed his cup on the ground. "It'll do for now, won't it Merlin?"

By way of answer Merlin reached across to Morgana and picked up her hand, holding it loosely. "I'll need Thea present while we do this. Can you find her, and we'll meet you both in your tent in, say, two hours?"

Morgana nodded, Merlin let go of her hand and she stood up. She handed him the cup and shook off the blanket and said awkwardly, "I'd better go. Um, thanks for the tea." She left the blanket on the log.

Merlin watched her go then looked down at his hands. "I hope we're doing the right thing with her, Arthur."

"I know. But what else could you do?"

Merlin bit his lip. "Nothing good, nothing that I haven't already thought of. I could control her using the magic link but that would destroy her in the end, at least, it would if someone was doing the same to me, eroding my free will. And I'm not sure how long I could sustain that sort of magic, it would become more difficult over time. I want to believe in her. I won't be the instrument of her death, I just can't. And the only other option is to do nothing at all, but that would be mad. It has to be this way."

"I'm relieved you got her to agree. She's still my sister, even after all this."

"I hope it works, and I don't mean the magic, that'll work. But I hope it gives her a new focus. And she'll need to stay with the druids for this, the continual contact with them and the fact that they're peaceful may weaken her ties to Morgause. Did you talk to her much, before I was awake?"

"It was awkward. What about you? You don't seem so ..." Arthur searched around for the right word but didn't really find it, "... grumpy with her, like you were yesterday. What's going on between the two of you?"

Merlin fidgeted uncomfortably. "I don't know." His head dropped down and his fingers pulled at a loose piece of bark on the log. It broke off and he began to pull it apart into smaller pieces. He continued quietly, "I really don't know. I started on this path with her because I didn't want to have to kill her. I hadn't expected to be attracted to her, but I am, and I honestly don't know if all this attraction is derived only from the magic we share, or if it's more than that. But now ..."

He hesitated. "I didn't think dealing with her would be so complicated, it's more difficult that I realised. I don't know if it's because I made such a huge mistake when I didn't help her properly, when I could have. Or maybe it's more. I don't know. I need to get this right, with her. I want her friendship and trust again, I guess. I want her to be good."

Arthur nodded and said quietly, "I can understand it, I want that too."

Merlin stared into the fire, planning ahead. "Um, one thing. I need to take the shields off the three of you before I do this to her, my magic may go a little odd. Not that you've needed them anyway."

"Odd?"

"Yeah. I'm changing a lot of magic - mine, hers, the beginnings of the old religion, and ..." he paused. "And I think there's even a smidgeon of dragon magic in there, it's difficult to say whether part of what I'm sensing in her is mine or Kilgharrah's. I'm bonded with Kilgharrah so I can't tell the difference between it. But it was his enchantment I used to save her that created this link, even if it came from the beginnings of the old religion."

"You're bonded with the dragon?"

"As much as I'm bonded with you, Arthur. My father told me before he died that my souls and Kilgharrah's were brothers. We're kin, because I'm a dragonlord and because we're both creatures of magic. And the link I share with you is embedded in destiny's plans and shaped by fate, it's no less strong, except when you're being a prat."

"Hey!" Arthur gave him a punch on the arm and Merlin grinned.

"Look, you wanted me to explain. You can call me a girl, but the thing is you're both as much a part of me as an arm or leg, or my heart. I couldn't do without either of you. I've noticed I don't like being separated from Kilgharrah for too long either, the connection I have with him is growing stronger. I haven't had time to test that out with you, though, since we're always around each other."

Arthur looked at his friend. "I won't call you a girl."

Merlin smiled back. "Thanks."

Two hours later they were back under the oak tree, outside Morgana's tent, listening to the quiet voices coming from Morgana and Thea inside. Merlin leant back against the tree, hoping he was ready for this.

He would've liked to talk about the method of making the actual mix with Kilgharrah first, but he had no doubt the dragon would advise him not to do it in the first instance, his constant refrains were always about hastening Morgana's demise. So rather than arguing about it with Kilgharrah, then facing his wrath once his advice had been ignored and it was done, Merlin thought it'd be better to present it as a fait accompli, at least he'd only get in trouble once that way.

And it would be some of the most difficult magic he'd performed, and to do it correctly, he'd need Morgana to totally open her mind to him, and he didn't know if she'd really be capable of doing it.

Arthur broke him out of his reverie. "Ready?"

Merlin bit his lip and nodded, and Arthur called out to let them know they were here. Morgana opened the flap, and her eyes went past Arthur to him. He cleared his throat nervously and followed Arthur in, standing still for a moment, allowing his eyes to adjust after the brighter light outside.

Thea was seated on Morgause's bed, when they entered she smiled at Arthur and stood and turned to Merlin. "Emrys, we haven't met yet, but I've heard much about you, particularly from these two here."

Despite himself, Merlin smiled. "Don't believe everything they tell you, Thea."

"Your prince speaks highly of you."

Arthur gave him a light punch on the arm. "I just didn't tell her the bad bits."

Merlin rubbed his arm. "Thanks, but Morgana probably covered that." He watched Morgana clasp her hands in front of her and avoid his attempt at eye contact, and all at once he relaxed. He reached out and tugged one of her hands into his, driven to touch her again, the magic made her irresistible. "Come on, Morgana." He smiled down at her, amused. "I hope Thea doesn't mean you couldn't think of anything nice to say about me?"

"Well ..." Cautiously, she returned his smile, and unable to stop himself he bent down and brushed his lips over hers in a brief salute. He watched satisfied, as her eyes darkened and she swayed towards him, her gaze fixed on his mouth.

His grin widened and she suddenly seemed to realise what she was doing. She gave him a slightly accusing frown, and he took a step back, giving her some space but still holding her hand. "Morgana, what have you told Thea about what's happening here today?"

Thea didn't wait for Morgana to answer. "Nothing much, Emrys. Just that you were going to perform some sort of magic on her that you may need my help with?"

She'd made it a question and Merlin answered, "I won't need your help with the magic, but I wanted you here because Morgana will need you, afterwards." Both women looked at him questioningly at that, and Merlin said, "Thea, I'll explain from the beginning." He paused to organise his thoughts. "Some time ago, when Morgana was living at Camelot, she fell down a set of stairs. She was badly injured, with bleeding to her cranium. Our physician Gaius said she wouldn't survive."

Thea's face showed surprise. "Gaius? Gaius still lives? He's still in Camelot?"

Arthur answered, "Yes. You know him then?"

Thea nodded, her face taking on a far-away expression. "It has been many years, too many." She said to Arthur directly, "I knew who you were, before you told me. But I don't hold you responsible for the sins of your father." Her eyes took in Morgana too. "I already know you're quite different to him. And Gaius helped me escape Camelot in the Great Purge, I owe him my life."

Merlin nodded. "There are many who do." He hesitated for a moment. "He's my mentor, Thea. I live with him."

Thea tucked back a strand of her grey hair over her ear. "He's a kind man."

Morgana had turned her head away, Merlin sighed as she tugged her hand out of his grasp. He watched her carefully, but he couldn't see her face any longer. He said to Thea, "Morgana fell down the stairs, she was dying. I healed her using magic from the beginnings of the old religion, going right back almost to its creation." He'd already decided he wasn't going to mention Kilgharrah's part in this.

"It was a powerful spell, and my magic and that power are still inside her, but they're untapped, Morgana can't access them. I'm going to release the block on it and mix it with her magic. The power is purely healing magic and nothing else, but it's strong, and it means with training and guidance she has the potential to be the most powerful healer known. That's where you come in Thea, I want you to train and guide her."

He didn't say so, but Merlin had carefully pushed out his own magical senses to Thea when she'd been talking to Arthur yesterday. He believed she was good and kind, but importantly possessed of a quiet, inner strength that would be necessary for her to be able to successfully train and protect Morgana. And he was sure Morgana trusted her too, which was equally important.

Thea answered, "I've never heard of such a thing, or one who had the power to wield such a transformation."

Merlin heard the uncertainty in the old woman's voice but he wasn't looking at her, he was watching Morgana. She'd turned her back to them now and taken a step away, she was holding herself carefully, her arms crossed over her chest, and Merlin knew she was upset, but he didn't know why.

He glanced at Arthur, but the prince hadn't noticed anything amiss. Merlin took three quick steps across the tent and placed his hands on Morgana's shoulders. "Morgana?" He said her name quietly, relieved when she didn't pull away from him, but the tension in her shoulders increased.

She spoke quietly. "Morgause wouldn't want me to do this. She wouldn't want me to have anything to do with you, Merlin. She'd never trust you. And she's my sister, she's looked after me, she cured me when you poisoned me, I shouldn't do this."

Merlin shook his head, even though she couldn't see him. "She's used you for her own ends, Morgana. And it's not about her, it's about you. Don't back out now, we've been through this."

He tugged at her gently but she wouldn't turn around to him, so he moved in front of her, wrapping one of his arms around her and holding her tightly against his chest, cupping his other hand on the back of her head. She didn't try to pull away, instead she leant her head against his chest. He brushed her hair with his fingers, in soothing, repetitive strokes, like a parent calming a child.

"I don't like feeling this way. It makes me feel weak."

He said in a low voice, "You're not weak, Morgana. You're one of the strongest people I know. You stood up to Uther even when you suffered for it, and once you cared so much about doing what was right and fighting for those who had no voice. That person is still inside you, I know it." He smiled at her, dimples creasing. "You're fiery and opinionated, you can beat me in a sword fight, you've never been weak."

She'd stretched up to listen to him, if he dipped his head her mouth would be only inches away from his. He tried not to think about it.

"It doesn't take much to beat you in combat Merlin, whether you're armed or not." Merlin grinned and she said quietly to him, "I don't know what to do. I don't know what to think. I hated you a week ago and now everything is so confusing. Why are you so gentle with me, Merlin? Why, after everything that's happened, after what I've done?"

Merlin had forgotten about their audience. He held her close and touched his forehead to hers. "I want to help you. I care about you." Her hand reached up and brushed his face. He murmured nonsensically to her, "Maybe there can be magic, without magic, Morgana."

She met his eyes, he saw the flecks of gold in hers and his magic pulsed erratically in response. His fingers brushed the line of her jaw, the rough calluses on his hands tracing over her soft skin. He found himself admiring the shape of her collar bones, he had to touch them too, and he did, first with the tips of his fingers, and then he found himself following that same path with his mouth.

He heard her sigh, and he raised his head, watching as her eyes fluttered shut. He gathered her to him, reaching for her, and her lips parted under his. He kissed her slowly, making no demands, he kept his desire carefully banked, it wasn't what she was seeking. He didn't care about logic and being sensible, or the reasons he shouldn't do this, he didn't want to think anymore at all, he just wanted her, and now she was here. He didn't understand himself, or her, but he was too caught up in what was happening for anything to matter except what they were doing right now.

He held her close, tangling his fingers in her hair as he deepened their kiss, and her arms circled around his neck as she relaxed into his embrace. She wanted comfort and reassurance and he gave it to her, letting this moment between them say what words could not. It was tender and gentle this time, it was about healing their rift, he wanted to forget all the anger, betrayal and hurt that simmered between them.

She sighed into his mouth, loose limbed and calm, and he broke their kiss reluctantly, not keen to test his control too far and have it spiral away from him again. His eyes stayed shut and he tucked her head against his neck, one arm still around her. He took her hand, twining her fingers through his and holding her palm against his chest.

Arthur's voice interrupted them. "You've got it bad, you both have."

As one, they turned to look at the prince, Merlin blinked, half-dazed, he'd forgotten all about Arthur and Thea. He felt his face redden but he didn't let Morgana go, and she said, "Your sense of timing hasn't improved Arthur. You always were as subtle as a sledgehammer."

Arthur looked at her quizzically for a moment, then gave a chuff of laughter. "I guess so. Now, are you both ready or should Thea and I come back in a few hours?"

Merlin rubbed the bridge of his nose awkwardly and cleared his throat, making a concerted effort to squash the disconcerting emotions inside him. "Um, I'm ready. What about you, Morgana?"

She looked at him seriously for a long moment, then nodded. "Yes."

Merlin was back to business. "Alright." He took a step back from Morgana, needing the distance, but kept hold of her hand. "You'll need to lie down, this sort of magic will take you a while to get used to, I expect you'll lose consciousness when I first release it. But you'll be okay."

He turned to Thea. "Thea, I'll need you to look after her as she recovers. She'll have difficulty controlling the magic at first, you'll have to help her, I can't be here all the time for that, and I'm not good at healing anyway. Don't let her attempt to heal anyone who would normally be beyond your skills for at least the first year or two, maybe more. You'll know as her healing magic improves and strengthens. But it's very important Morgana, that you don't over commit yourself, you must know your own limits."

He waited until he was sure he had their attention. "Morgana, you must not try to heal if the level of magic is beyond you, and you won't know that until you become accustomed to your new powers. That's why you must listen to Thea, she'll have a much better sense of it than you will at first. You've got to take it slowly, if you push yourself too far then the magic may drain you. Are you listening carefully? If you go too far, and the magic drains you, it will put your life at risk. You may die if this happens. Do you understand me, both of you?"

He waited again, they nodded. "Right, any questions?"

Thea asked, "Emrys, what you are going to do requires much power, much more than I have and I am one of the strongest in my camp. This is going to put you at risk, isn't it?"

Merlin looked away from her. He should have known she'd think that, but she had no true understanding of his capabilities. Was he really that unusual? His brow creased, Arthur and Morgana were looking at him with almost identical expressions of annoyance and trepidation, it was clear that thought hadn't occurred to them until now.

Arthur shook his head. "Merlin, is that true?"

Merlin gave Thea an exasperated grimace but the old woman didn't back down. "You're our only hope, Emrys. Without you, your prince will change, he'll lose faith, and magic will never return to our land. Without you, there will be no hope for anyone, for those with magic and even for those without. There'll never be peace between us. Without the balance restored and magic returned, the land will slowly die, crops will fail, streams will run dry, there'll be famine and drought. In time, all life in this land will perish, both man and beast. I know the prophecies. You're too important to risk, Emrys."

Merlin nodded slowly, and dropped Morgana's hand. "I see where you're coming from, Thea. I do." He ran a hand through his hair. "You're right, and you're wrong. Because I am Emrys, and that's why I can do this. I alone have the power." He paused and said to her intently, but not unkindly, "And I alone have the authority. Don't question my ability to perform magic that you cannot understand."

Arthur wasn't giving up. "You mightn't want her to question you, Merlin, but I will. Are you completely insane? I'd have never agreed to this if I'd known you'd put yourself in danger!"

Irritation surfaced, and Merlin snapped at him, "So, you'd have me choose one of the other options, would you? Which one? Oh, what about mind control, that'll work, Morgana won't mind, at least she won't, once I control her. Or no, not that one? Then how about death then? She may not like that, but once she'd dead she'll hardly care, will she?"

Arthur's annoyance escalated, he shot across the tent to Merlin, thrusting a finger in his face. "Of course I don't want either! But you shouldn't have lied to me about it! You told me to trust you with the magic, and I was! But how can I, if you're going to lie about something like this?"

Merlin wasn't backing down. "That's right, Arthur. I told you to trust me with the magic, because I know what I'm doing! Of course I didn't tell you it was risky, because it's not risky for me! You don't understand because you don't have magic, but they don't understand either because they can't sense my abilities! What did Iseldir say, before we came into the camp? He said he can barely sense my magic, and that it's different to others."

Arthur glared, unconvinced. Merlin was determined. "Look. I'm telling you, it's not dangerous, not to me and not to Morgana." He switched to mind speech and said carefully, hoping the prince would see reason, "Arthur, I'm not like them. I'm a creature of magic, Thea doesn't understand my abilities because my magic is different to anything she's seen before. Remember that I couldn't sense the wyvern, which is a creature of magic? She can't truly sense the magic in me, either. So maybe I'm a bit like the wyvern, although with much nicer eyes, huh?" He said aloud, "Like I said, you just have to trust me, Arthur, with the magic."

Thea offered tentatively, "I believe you, Emrys."

Merlin gave her a wry glance. "Well thanks. But can I suggest next time you want to question me about something relating to my safety you don't do it in front of Arthur." He turned to the prince. "Arthur?"

Arthur crossed his arms, he understood, but he was still trying to calm down. He said shortly, "Yes, yes, very well. You've convinced me, you'll be fine, Merlin."

Another voice spoke up. "No, Merlin, you won't be. You said you can't do this without my cooperation and I'm not giving it. Thea was right first time. It's too dangerous."

Merlin sighed. "It's not dangerous, Morgana. And I didn't know you cared."

The diversion didn't put her off and she shook her head, stubborn. "I didn't say I did. Thea was right the first time. And I won't let you do it."

"You can argue about it until the cows come home Morgana, but I don't have time for this. Arthur, Thea, would you mind? I need to speak with Morgana alone."

Arthur shot him a knowing look and muttered something about kissing and privacy but Merlin wisely chose not to hear. The prince gave him a final eye roll but went outside the tent with Thea. Merlin turned to Morgana, she had her hands on her hips, ready for a fight.

"Morgana, we've been through this already, you agreed, so I'm going to do it."

"No Merlin, not if it's dangerous."

He hissed in a low voice, exasperated, "It's not dangerous! How many times do I have to repeat myself?" Her expression didn't change and he moved closer, taking both her hands into his. He said coaxingly, "Look, it's not dangerous, but if you don't cooperate with me you'll make it dangerous for me."

She didn't believe the trump card. "Really? How?"

He walked her backwards to the bed, the back of her knees hit the mattress and they stopped. "Because I'll play dirty, Morgana, I'll let you sense my magic before I start, and the only thing you'll be able to think of is how much you want to kiss me, you'll do anything for it, including letting me mix the magic."

He smiled, she was shocked, or at least she was pretending to be, Merlin was pretty sure part of her was quite satisfied with this revelation. "And you see that would be very dangerous for me, because if I'm lying on this bed kissing you, then I can tell you without a doubt I'll have a lot of difficulty concentrating on what I'm meant to be doing, and that's when it will be dangerous to me."

"That's not fair!"

He let go of her hands. "All's fair in love, war and magic, Morgana."

She sat down on the bed, a small frown creasing her face. Then she looked up at him and said slyly, "You'd kiss me like that in front of Thea and Arthur, Merlin? Are you sure? You'd pay for it, Arthur'd never let you live it down."

He sat down beside her, resting his elbows on his knees, leaning forwards and turning his head to look at her. He smiled slightly, playing her game. "Well what does it matter, he's seen it all before, hasn't he? Just then, huh?"

She glowered at him, out-manoeuvred.

"We've come further than I thought, if you're querying this because you're concerned about me. I thought the only thing that'd stop you was lack of trust in me."

"I suppose we have, then." She bit her lip, suddenly serious. "I still don't understand it. And I don't understand how you can look past what I've done. And I don't know if I can trust you, really."

"Don't think about it too much, Morgana. Just remember we had a strong friendship once, let's try and get it back."

She nodded, but her indecision was obvious. "I want to trust you Merlin, but I don't know if I can. And you probably feel the same?"

"I won't abandon you again, Morgana. You can't come to Camelot, but I'll visit you here, as often as I can. I can't teleport here, but I can teleport back, at least the journey one way will be quick." He thought of Kilgharrah, would he dare later to ask the dragon to fly him here? He'd have to wait and see, he didn't want to fight with him about it. "And maybe sometimes we can meet halfway." She put her hand in the middle of his back and leant her head against his shoulder. "I can speak with you even when I'm at Camelot, I can use mind speech from a long distance. You won't be able to reply to me when I'm so far away, but I'll be looking out for you, Morgana, thinking of you."

She nodded, her other hand smoothing across the brown material of his jacket at the crook of his elbow. "I can't abandon Morgause, Merlin. And I don't want to. You have to understand that, please."

Merlin sighed. "I'm not asking you to choose between us, not yet. But I will, in time, I can't pretend I won't. You can't have us both. But for now, just let me in again, huh? Allow yourself to make a choice this time with all your options on the table. I took myself out of the equation last time, and I'm sorry for it."

Her eyes were bright, she curved her head away, but he saw.

"Don't hide from me, Morgana." He was gentle, he turned to the side, and pulled her into an embrace, his arms around her. She leant her head against his chest and his heart beat steadily against her ear. "It'll be alright, Morgana. Everything. Let go of your anger, resentment and fear. Take this opportunity, not just for yourself but for me too." He felt the magic in her and wanted to kiss her again, he wrestled with his own magic to block the urge, and only just succeeded.

He stroked her hair, and thought about what the dragon had told him, how she'd be evil, the darkness to his light. He'd done what Kilgharrah had asked, but what if it had been his own actions that had ultimately led her on this path? Now he was doing what he knew he had to do, he hoped they wouldn't be opposites any more. He caressed the long line of her arm, her shoulders, the smooth skin of her collar bone and the shape of her face. Her eyes were green and alive, and she was watching him.

"I'm ready," she said. And so was he.