I thought it would be a good idea to take 6 AP classes. I now understand the great error of my ways. I'm so shocked every time a I get a new notification that someone followed or favorited this. I can't believe you're still reading, but I'm so thankful that you are.
"Where on Earth have you been, Arthur?" Gwen exclaimed the moment her husband stepped through the door. Merlin hadn't budged since he had passed out hours ago, and Mordred wouldn't stop crying. And Morgana was still not home.
"I told you I would be working late," he replied defensively, giving the pacing girl a once-over.
"Sorry; I know. I just- something's wrong," she flicked her eyes toward the room of the sleeping sorcerer. "Actually, I'm pretty sure everything's wrong."
She explained to Arthur the events of the night, emphasizing Merlin's fear of magical involvement, and Mordred finally grew silent, staring wide eyed at the couple as if he completely understood what they were discussing.
"Are you sure that he's not just sleeping?" Arthur murmured, laying his hand reassuringy atop his wive's. "I mean, life can be pretty exhausting."
Gwen softly shook her head, messy curls bobbing and twining. "It was exactly like the sleep spell that Morgause placed in Camelot; he just kind of stopped being capable of wakefullness. Anyway, don't you think the timing of it all is a bit strange: Merlin discovers something weird; Morgana doesn't come home; now Merlin won't wake up."
"I don't know what to think. I thought we were finally settling into normal life. Morgana and Merlin were doing the cute domestic thing; we were trying to have a baby. I just don't see any reason that someone would target us now."
"Why are you trying so hard to convince me this is nothing," Gwen sighed.
Arthur turned his gaze to the table. "I'm not. I just don't want to freak out about nothing. At least, let's put Mordred to bed and wait until morning for any big decisions."
Gwen stifled a yawn as she agreed to give it a few more hours; after all, she couldn't do much at 2 am anyway.
~oOo~
"We'll be bringing you company any minute now," the sugar sweet voice lulled Morgana into consiousness. "It took forever to get his roommates to go to bed."
She hadn't moved since the last time the girl had been down here, and the cold was starting to seep into her skin, damp and bitter. "That must have been a great inconvenience."
"Oh, it was," Grace replied. "It would be so much easier if everyone could just acknowledge that we're only doing what is right and necessary. Then I'm sure Merlin would have come much more willingly."
"And I'm sure you're delusional," the sorceress muttered.
Grace, hearing this, just grinned wider. "That's rich coming from a literal homicidal witch who only cares about power and control."
"I'm not-" Morgana begin, abruptly being cut off by the younger girl.
"You're not what? A villian? Let me tell you something: destiny never changes and people never change. You may have your boyfriend fooled, but I know that in your core, in the desires you hide even from yourself, you can never be a good guy. It's not in the way the stars are written."
"Merlin and I changed that," Morgana stated, eyes burning.
"Changed doesn't mean improved."
~oOo~
A shrill ringing roused Arthur from his peaceful slumber, and he groggily lifted the phone to his ear.
"Yes, hello, Arthur speaking. Good morning sir," he grumbled, blinking to clear the fog from his eyes.
"I'm calling to let you know that our second suspect is in protective custody. We at Albion will not let a single hair be harmed on the prince's head," the chirping voice reported. Arthur questioned why everyone he worked with had to be so damn cheerful in the morning.
"Wonderful. Thanks for letting me know. I'll update you on next steps at the breifing later today. I'm glad to see I have some competent employees. Now I can rest easy. Goodnight." Without waiting for a response, he hung up, sinking into the mattress.
His leaderly duties would wait until later.
~oOo~
Merlin awoke to a bright light shining into his eyes so that he could not see his own hand, let alone where he was.
"We have a few questions to ask you," a stern voice declared.
Merlin swung his head around in confusion, trying to find some sort of bearings, but none existed.
"Is Mordred alright?" he worried, "Do you have Morgana? Please just keep them safe and I'll do whatever you want."
A full and hearty laugh filled the seemingly small room. "It's not you we're concerned about."
I'm not going to make any promises because we all know I won't follow through. But my AP exams are in May, and then I might actually have real free time to write. Until then, make sure to review with thoughts about this chapter, and don't forget to favorite and follow!