Merlin and Morgana stared each others.

Morgana was speechless. She couldn't believe what she had just seen.

"You have magic. You spoke with the Great Dragon. You, you are…" Morgana raised her hand and screamed.

"FYRBEWERIAN!"

But the fire wind never reached Merlin who just raised his hand and shielded him and the other man beside of him.

"Morgana, listen me." Merlin stepped forward, his eyes glowing golden. Morgana shook her head. She couldn't felt it, Merlin's magic. And still that fool man was just stopped one of her most powerful spell.

"Who are you Merlin?"

Merlin just walked toward her and Morgana started to back off.

"Don't come near of me. Don't." Morgana turned around and started to run.

#

Arthur wasn't sure what to do.

He looked the small group whom consist Merlin, Tristan, Gilli, Iseldir and some other druids and sir Heylan.

"What happened in the forest? Half of the town woke up." Arthur asked.

"Morgana." Merlin said. He was only one sitting and one look to him revealed clearly to Arthur why.

"Morgana? She was here?"

"She was in the forest." Merlin stated.

"And what you were doing there?" Although why he asked that. Merlin was always there where he didn't belong to.

"Iseldir and Gilli let me knew that some of the druids who were in guard in the forest, have seen Morgana there."

"And you decided to go with them? Why?" Another stupid question, but Arthur couldn't help himself.

"Arthur, I'm your advisor, and I know Morgana. If it were someone else, I would not be bothered at all." Merlin yawned.

"And despite all the noise you didn't catch her."

This time Iseldir answered. "She knows some really good disappearance spell. Noise is largely attributable to when she went through our bracket spells. "

"A strong spell, very straightforward, very effective." Gilli snarled. He seemed to take it very personally. "I didn't guessed that someone would be so strong."

"He has increased her powers." Merlin murmured, half asleep. Arthur considered his friend. "What makes you say so?"

Merlin startled. "Ah, nothing. I just thought."

"What do you think, will she come back?" Tristan asked quickly. Arthur nodded.

"She has always been persistent. She doesn't give up. She comes back after assessing the situation. "

"So we have to be prepared."Iseldir looked sir Heylan. "We have to speak with Alator."

"Who he is?" Arthur asked.

"Old Religion's High Priest, Emrys' sworn ally. In addition, his magic is slightly different among us. Morgana may be surprised this time. "Iseldir smiled lightly.

"Then we do so." Merlin rose and Arthur felt sudden authority from him. Even that Merlin looked tired and sick, his aura was overwhelming. "And I think that he should call his men here, Morgana will come back, but not alone. I know her too well. She can't do anything alone. She may be powerful, but her mind is weak. She needs someone to control, someone who will protect her. Have you heard anything from Modred?"

"He is far in north. Nor did he seem interested in the current situation here. "One of the druids who looked more like a stonemason answered.

"Then, Morgana has no support from him, at least not now. And we must ensure that she will never get any. This time, we have to beat Morgana. Her incessant intrigue begins to go on my nerves. "Merlin stared somewhere far away. Arthur noticed that despite Merlin's words, there was no hatred behind of them.

"Who is Modred?" Arthur asked and felt like he was left on the side. Merlin seemed to handle the whole situation more better than him. Merlin seemed to know so much more than him.

"Your enemy, just like Morgana." Merlin shrugged his shoulders.

"Why I haven't heard anything about him?"

"Because he is still too young to harm you seriously. Together with Morgana maybe, but not alone. Not now."

"Merlin, don't you think that I have still rights to know about him?" Arthur began to feel the need to shout that he would receive answers from his friend.

"Arthur, if you know, what will you do? Go and kill him? When he hadn't done anything to you, yet." Now Merlin looked him directly.

"Then how you know he is my enemy?" Arthur demanded to know.

"Because I heard him to swear to kill you someday. And I take him seriously."

"When have you heard that?"

"When we saved Morgana some druid camp." Merlin's voice faded.

"Back then when…" Arthur clenched his hands. Once again, the past act was threatening them.

"We should go now." Iseldir said. He bowed to Arthur, and then for Merlin. On the other hand, was it so strange if someone bowed to him, Arthur though. Merlin was a prince for gods sake.

"Merlin, please, stay."

When the others had left, Merlin was left to wait.

"What is it, Arthur?"

"Merlin, what's wrong? You promised me an explanation. "

"Can't it wait until tomorrow?" Merlin yawned again. He looked as if could sleep at any time.

"When I look at you, I begin to fear that I will never get to hear the truth if I did not hear it right now." Arthur sighed.

Merlin looked at him like judging, in the end he sighed resignedly.

"I was poisoned."

"WHAT?"

"Take it easy. It's not that serious. "

"It's not serious? You look half dead Merlin! "Arthur yelled.

Merlin raised his hand to silence his friend.

"We have the medicine in it. It works slowly, but is effective. Believe me. "

Arthur didn't know what to say. He sank back into a seat.

"Can I go now?" Merlin said calmly and Arthur nodded. When the door closed and Arthur grabbed grabbed the goblet and throwed it against the door so that the wine was flying around.

"You stupid stupid idiot fool."

#

Tristan was waiting outside when Merlin shut the Arthur's chamber door and leaned heavily against it. There was a faint crunch and Merlin grinned when he guessed what Arthur had done. Tristan stretched out his hand to help him.

"You slip, Merlin. Your behaviour was a little different than usual. "Tristan pointed out and Merlin groaned when they started to walk away, Tristan supporting most of the Merlin's weight.

"I'm tired. Tired and angry. I do not have enough strengths to fight against Morgan. If she had figured it out, she could easily have killed me. It was careless of me. As now. "

"Do not worry. You are no longer alone in the middle of this all. And next week, Arthur already knows everything. "

"You think that that somehow comfort me?" Merlin felt a slight panic at the thought of the matter. Tristan slapped him on the shoulder, causing him almost to fly upside down.

"If you don't make out of here, you have the two kingdoms which are sure to appreciate you. And one which you could demand for yourself. "

Merlin smiled. "Maybe not so bad idea, if this will not succeed. As long as I survive. "

Thank you everyone. Your reviews keep me going on and on. If you still have some ideas let me know. And helen, gladly, but I don't have your mailadress.

My hand hurts again, so I have to probably hold back a couple of days.