Uther entered her chambers with slight trepidation. They seemed in such disarray for one as powerful as she, for the figurehead of the Old Religion, of his religion. He had honored her, made her his court sorceress and the most powerful woman in his Kingdom. She even held more power than his Queen. He never doubted her loyalty, but why in the past years was he becoming uneasy whenever he entered Nimueh's quarters?

The sorceress appeared from behind a bookcase and gave him a sly smile as she walked towards him. She wasn't in her formal robes and wore a tight black dress and was barefoot. Maybe this was why; whenever they were alone she continued to try to seduce him, to remind him of the one night they had shared together shortly after he had taken Camelot, before he had met his Queen. If she offered herself to him now Uther didn't know if he could resist. This woman had some sick hold over him and Uther was beginning to realize that she always had.

"My King what brings you here at this hour?" She asked so innocently her true intentions were blatant.

Uther had never inquired about her age, but was sure she was vastly older than the young woman she appeared to be. Why couldn't she add some wrinkles and grey to her hair? The king buried his face in his hands. "Nimueh Igraine has yet to conceive. We have tried for years and nothing Gaius has done has helped."

"Well that is hardly private knowledge Uther." She said as his face grew red. "It is known your wife is barren."

"Do not insult her!"

"I did not I was stating fact. She is everything you would desire in a queen…"

"Yet she gives me no heir!" Uther spat. "I am thirty five and have no one to carry on my legacy!"

"You have an heir Uther."

"Do not speak of her Nimueh." The King warned futilely.

The priestess laughed. "You abandoned your own daughter, worse you sent her to a convent instead of Avalon to grow up with my kind. She is eleven now and though she shows no talent, you could have already begun to mold her into a fine leader but you refused."

"I betrayed Gorlois. He knows." Uther's eyes grew dark.

"As she betrayed him." Nimueh spat. "Fine, if you will not claim your daughter what do you want?"

Uther rose agitated. "I want an heir! I want a son to sit on my throne when I am dead!"

Nimueh moved towards him. He felt dizzy with her in proximity. She pushed herself against him and licked her lips. "I'll give you a son Uther."

He thought about it for a moment but pulled away. He would not betray his wife again. "No. Don't tempt me."

Nimueh only laughed. "So noble now. I have offered to help, there is nothing more I can do."

"Yes there is do not lie!" Uther rubbed his forehead. "I talked to Gaius. There are fertility rites, known only to the Priestesses…"

Nimueh paled. "You do not know what you are asking Uther."

Uther snarled at her. "I do not want you Nimueh. I mean no offense. I want Igraine to bear a son. I am your king. You swore allegiance to me, you will do what I say!"

Nimueh still was sickly pale. "To create a life a life must be taken Uther. Not even a High Priestess can cheat the cycle. Not even one as powerful as I."

Uther thought for a moment. Damn it I am the Red Dragon! "Then make a sacrifice."

Nimueh's voice trembled. "Please Sire. Reconsider. You cannot comprehend what you are asking."

Uther turned back on her with a grimace but stopped as she slipped her dress over her head and stood before him completely naked. She grabbed his hand and began pulling him towards her bed. "Please my Lord let me give you a son."

Uther remembered his night with Nimueh. But he wouldn't betray Igraine again, not when he knew that his wife was noble enough to accept any son as her own. He wouldn't betray her pure heart. He pulled away from the Priestess. You little witch.

Uther began to tremble with anger and his unsatisfied desire. "Cover yourself up. And do as I say!"

Nimueh began to walk towards her potions, still naked. Her response was dull and defeated. "I will prepare the spell my Lord. Come to me in two days and it will be ready. That night lie with your wife and she will conceive a son."

"Thank you Priestess."

"Good memory?"

Uther scowled as he gazed at Lot. The sun was just rising and the assembled troops were in front of Camelot waiting for exercises. "Yes Lot. It probably involved you doing something stupid when drunk."

"Ah Uther those are always good memories." Lot took a swig from his water flask, but Uther was convinced it contained anything but water. "Yet another fun day to beat the shit out of one another."

Uther grunted. His thoughts had been unpleasant. It would be good to take out his aggression. "Sir Kay sound assembly. I want to advance in one hour."

"Already done My Lord." The short haired knight replied. "My aggressor forces have something very special planned today." He added with a smirk.

"A challenge." Lot said dully. "I always love surprises.

Uther snorted. He hated surprises and unexpected consequences. If only he had taken Nimueh up on her offer. He grit his teeth. No, that was before he knew the evils of magic. She probably would have twisted the son from that union, made him nothing like how Arthur had turned out to be. Still a part of him wondered if he was wrong. What if mating with Nimueh had been the right answer? Uther inspected his helmet and looked out at the assembled troops as the sun broke across the field. He was done with what ifs. It was time for action.

It had been one week since Morgana had left with Agravaine who had brought along Merlin as well on his father's demand. Arthur's days had turned frighteningly efficient since George had taken over. Each morning began with a massive breakfast elegantly prepared by at least four additional servants. George kept insisting on serving it to him in bed but Arthur had decided to eat at his desk. He wasn't going to become that pampered, not yet anyways. While Merlin always opted for something simple from the cooks George made him feel like a king. Arthur was sure if he kept this up for much longer he truly would need new holes placed in his belts. It did feel good to be treated like royalty for once.

George had to be the absolutely best servant he ever had. He did however, give the man a moratorium on making jokes, or what George thought passed as a joke. Despite the comforts, his life was quickly becoming boring without Merlin and with only the simple daily training sessions to keep himself in shape. He needed to command the army, regardless of what his father wanted. The rest of his day saw him embroiled in court politics. Today was going to be especially delightful. Cenred's envoy had arrived, as well as one from Mercia and apparently Nemeth had sent their princess. Carleon as of yet had sent no word and Caradoc's spies reported a massing of troops near Isca Augusta. The tensions between the greater and minor kingdoms were growing; all the while the Saxons remained quiet, seemingly oblivious. His father may be starting a complete panic. There hadn't been a full war for several years now, and that was before the coming of the Saxon clans.

Arthur knew the Saxons were anything but ignorant, yet his current concerns were the upcoming war and if their intelligence was correct, the Saxon's would fight each other before the established nations of Albion. The conversation with Cenred's envoy would be crucial today. If Essetir decided to march now Camelot could be caught not fully prepared. The only saving grace had been the rough fall weather. Arthur couldn't wait for the coming of winter so the rain would at least stop. That would hopefully prevent any preemptive strike on Essetir's terms. George proceeded to dress him perfectly and Arthur grabbed his sword before strolling out of his chambers and towards the throne room. George following with a stack of papers at his back.

He had seized upon the court problems militarily. He detected Ector's sly approval and could feel the fear emanating from the other Lords who no doubt had expected to push more of their agenda through in the absence of the king. He was enjoying the feeling of power and understood why his father was attracted to this style of ruling. Yet last night when he lay awake he couldn't help but think that this wasn't how he wanted to rule a kingdom. He needed strong advisors and Lords that trusted him and followed because they wanted to, not because he had cowed them. Uther might rule like this, and probably Morgana, if Agravaine was right about her. He didn't expect he would miss her so soon . It had only been a week after all, but he had been able to confide in her, and she had a way with dealing with the court. Guinevere as well. She may be a maidservant but she had grown up as a spy, and probably was trained by Gorlois as well on how to act and manipulate a court.

Arthur's feelings were confused and he was thankful for the long walk to the council chambers. He had begun to feel something for Guinevere, feelings that had surfaced when she had been captured by Hengist. That idiot Merlin had forced those out of him of course. But he knew nothing could happen and couldn't decide if what he felt was love or lust for both her looks and her intelligence. Guinevere was a woman who could make a fine queen if born to a higher station. But he also couldn't figure out his feelings for the Ward turned Duchess. Their relationship had started out so wrong ever since she had been brought to Camelot as a child, and she had always considered herself superior, her age maybe having something to do with it. God how she could manipulate him though he would never admit it to her face. Whether it was berating him with insults, or the way she said 'do it for me', he couldn't resist no matter how annoying she was. His father had realized it has well. He did want her but knew such a union would be a disaster.

He had grown up with Morgana. She had been the first girl he had kissed (there was a serving girl but she didn't count in Arthur's mind) and he knew he had been one of the few men she had actually gotten close to. His father was very overprotective, until recently when he brazenly insulted her by telling him to bed Morgana. His father had continued to say however, that a marriage between them would be absurd. He remembered how things had been different when they were young. It all had fallen apart in the last year now. Arthur couldn't decide if he thought of her as a sister or something else. Regardless he knew he needed her as his queen, but did he? Maybe there could be someone else? Only Merlin should be this confused.

He had more pressing matters on his mind, and right now. He was ruling a kingdom and doing it alone it seemed. God, he even missed Merlin's encouragement? Advice? Is it advice? Now he had no recourse but to rule similar to his father, to kill weakness with brutal strength. He couldn't make a commoner a knight, let alone a Lord, no matter how noble or regardless of his deeds. Instead he had to contend with the Lords that had either been conquered or swore allegiance to his father willingly. Idres would be a particular problem. He knew how his father would deal with it; kill the man if he betrayed him. Yet that was not Arthur's way. He didn't want to rule a Camelot consumed by fear. Yet he had no one to turn to. He was grateful that Idres and Mark constantly were at maneuvers with their vassal troops and not in council. He had enough to contend with where Lord Erral was concerned.

Arthur entered the throne room, taking his seat on the table that had been provided. His father may have put in him in charge of the court for now, but only in judgment did the King allow his son to sit upon the throne. He sat down as George poured him a glass of water and looked around at the assembled lords, ladies and councilors. His eye caught Morgause. Like him, she remained behind to rule the actual kingdom (or in her Lord's case their supposed mercenary troops and concealed wealth) while both kings did the work that should be left to the generals. Arthur had been wrong in his recent thoughts, too caught up in the absence of Morgana, Gwen and Merlin. His feelings were merely natural, maybe slightly childish. He had known the first two for years, had seen them almost every day and Merlin he had seen every day for the past two years. He was simply feeling lonely. Morgause had provided him with sound advice this past week since Ector only gave approving nods. He had to admit he did like the woman. She was strong willed like Morgana, very opinionated, yet more free to do what she wanted without consequence given her position as military advisor. The fact that she was gorgeous didn't hurt either.

The murmur of the court died down when he rose from his chair. "We are dealing with Essetir first." He turned to the blond haired woman. "Morgause I want you to speak your mind where this ambassador is concerned."

"Of course Prince Arthur." She said with a tight lipped smile. He hated how his mind wandered. Why did she have to wear such a tight red dress? In council for God's sake?

Arthur gulped some more water as the doors opened and the small three person delegation came forward. The ambassador was a short, round man with a mottled mat of hair, already failing out in places.

"Present yourself." Arthur said loudly.

"My Prince, I had hoped to address King Uther..."

"You are addressing me. If Cenred comes himself then he can address the King. I will negotiate on my father's behalf."

"And I on my master's. Very well I'll accept this arrangement. My Lady Morgause I must express that Cenred is displeased you have betrayed him. You only need…" The ambassador replied smugly.

"State you terms." Morgause said loudly. "Stop your prattling Henrick."

"Of course my Lady." The older man hummed. "Prince Arthur, King Cenred's terms are this: that you return his brother to him to face judgment and you revoke the documents that you have signed forthwith. If you refuse King Cenred will have legal case to declare war. My Lord has kept the peace so far, even with your troop buildup. He wishes a peaceful end to this conflict."

"And yet it was he who disposed of his brother, the rightful King." Arthur began. "Maybe you have not read the treaty signed between us and King Lot. We are at war, the moment Prince Cenred decided to dispose of his lawful King."

"You have allied yourself with a king who has no lands. Can one man declare war on a nation?"

"Enough Henrick." Morgause interjected. "What is your purpose here? Do you truly wish to justify Cenred's moves? He is not the legal king of Essetir..."

"That is where our definitions and yours are in contradiction my Lady." The ambassador interrupted. "Essetir does not have the same laws as Camelot. A king can be disposed of by a quorum of Lords if he has lost the confidence of the people. King Lot has..."

Ector spoke with a dismissive wave. "We have heard those inane rumors. Lot denies that he was financially ruining his own kingdom. Your Prince took control because he was too impatient to watch an older man on the throne. Enough of your bickering ambassador. Prince Arthur?"

"Ambassador I reject your terms. Camelot does not abandon her allies. In our eyes Prince Cenred's rise to the throne was a usurpation. I have a message to take back to your master. I, Prince Arthur Pendragon, in the name of my father King Uther Pendragon of Camelot, declare a state of war between Camelot and Essetir."

A sharp gasp rose from some of the Lords and less informed councilors. True the nations had been practically at war for the past two years and some had expected it, but many in Camelot had hoped that the situation with Lot would work itself out diplomatically. Arthur knew differently. His father would not be persuaded. He sighed as he lent back in his chair. He drank some wine, slowly and not too much he reminded himself. He had done it. Camelot was now at war.

Henrick did not give up so easily. "I pray reconsider my Prince. We both do not want blood spilled between us, not when the Saxon dogs hound our very borders."

"They are at your borders, not Camelot's." Arthur said. He wished he had been given room to negotiate, to perhaps force Cenred to abdicate. He had already declared war, did what his father wanted. Even if Cenred did abdicate, which Arthur doubted, it would mean nothing to Uther. He wanted Essetir for himself.

"I gave you a chance for peace Prince Arthur." Henrick said with a small bow. "The blood is on your hands now; this war is unjust."

Ector snorted. "Your Prince usurped his King. Crawl back to your hole and pray our forces are merciful in the coming months."

Henrick made to leave with a small smile. "And you pray the same."

As soon as he left, the council chambers erupted into multiple arguments. Arthur waited for thirty or so seconds before banging on the table and commanding them all to be quiet. "I know there are some of you, many even who did not wish for a war, especially at this time of a year. What will happen if Cenred strikes at the end of the harvest? What if he marches on us during winter? These are all valid concerns, but leave that to the Lords in charge of the armies. My father, the King, was adamant in this, as am I. King Lot was betrayed by his own Lords and own blood." Arthur began to put his own spin on the situation. "Camelot will help all the nations in Albion if they are wronged regardless of the distance."

"You will weaken us!" One Lord shouted. "How many men will die in a war to help a disposed King who has never been our friend?"

"Be quiet!" Arthur yelled. "You would dare not speak to my father in such a manner, nor will you speak to me as such. War has been declared and if any of you think it otherwise I will arrange personal audiences with the King." He calmed his voice slightly. "The Mercian delegation will be here shortly and I demand we focus our attentions on them, not at this war which we all knew was inevitable."

Arthur and Ector did not know what to make of the Mercian delegation. King Bayard's representative talked about his kingdom's previous alliance and great friendship with Essetir, while remarking on the shaky alliance with Camelot, including the former imprisonment of their king during the whole goblet incident. Mercia accepted the state of war but wanted the conflict to be regulated to border skirmishes until both Essetir and Camelot cleared their heads. Their message was clear. If Camelot crosses into Essetir, Mercia would march. They may be allies but Bayard was tired of war. He saw Uther as the aggressor and would protect Essetir to stop him from claiming more land.

Arthur couldn't understand why Bayard had instructed his delegation to present these claims. His father had been in his right to execute Bayard and his party, at least until they found out about Nimueh's deception. Uther had stayed his hand however, determined to seek the truth. Perhaps the insult Bayard felt was deeper then the King had let Camelot know. Maybe he was content to have a treaty with Uther, but if the chance came he would take his revenge.

Arthur nursed his wine before speaking with the delegation from Nemeth. This could be worse than his father realized, especially if Lot was playing them, which his father assumed, no demanded, was the case. They couldn't take on the full might of Essetir and Mercia.

"What the hell do we do?" Arthur whispered to Ector and Geoffrey.

Geoffrey shook his head. "It is as I said my Prince. War cannot be the way, especially with this planned treachery." He added the last part in a low whisper. Only the closed council knew of Uther's suspicions.

Ector shook his head. "Geoffrey, war will happen. Essetir must be brought low or Camelot may fall in the next coming years as our enemies grow stronger."

"But there is nowhere to adequately fight two armies." The man flung a bunch of maps on the table. "The terrain is open. We cannot fight two nations. Especially not in spring on those fields! If we had more time to train perhaps but the vassal troops are not even assembled for march from their fiefs yet!"

"You heard the ambassador Geoffrey." The Lord continued. "Mercia does not want a war. It will destroy their economy. Yet the alliance they have with us was weakened by that incident."

"And if we cross the border they will see the chance to destroy our armies and come out the stronger."

"So they say, and Bayard is a warrior, but I do not think he would risk leaving Mercia exposed to the east. Saxons mass there. He would march with a small contingent, maybe two to five thousand. It's not just going to be our own armies either, assessor."

"Ector?" Arthur replied.

"Nemeth." The old Lord said with a smile. "We need their alliance, especially since Queen Annis has not responded yet."

Lord Erral finally spoke having been unusually quite. "Yet another possible threat. Two from the east, one from Southern Wales."

Ector replied. "Annis truly rules that kingdom. While her husband and Uther have a rough past, I do not believe they would march against us."

"Truly Ector?" Erral began sarcastically. "I respect our King and am loyal to death but he does not inspire the fear he used to."

"Really? Then you are blind Erral. Carleon is not an opportunistic conqueror and would only attack if given criminal offense." The Lord said. "If we have an alliance with Nemeth they would not dare attack us. Also, the Lady Morgana will be in Camelot when we march. Gorlois was an old friend of Queen Annis."

"Fine." Arthur asserted. "Send them in, we need to begin negotiations."

The delegation walked in, Princess Mithian at its head.

"Prince Arthur." The brunette inclined her head. She was dressed in green and red traveling garments but Arthur thought she still looked stunning.

Arthur rose and went over to kiss her hand. "Princess Mithian, an honor." He sat her down and moved to his own seat. "It is truly an honor that your father sent you to us."

"I am here to negotiate fully on my father's behalf." Mithian began. "I must tell you Prince Arthur that I am not pleased you have declared war, if what Cenred's delegation told me is true?"

"It is my Lady."

"The last war between the major Albion kingdoms was between Mercia and Camelot, both of whom were aggressors. While I agree that it is noble to help a disposed King, even if we have no good relations with Essetir, this seems more of a war of conquest."

Arthur hid a shudder. It almost did seem obvious, the complete calling of the banners, the common knowledge of Uther and Lot's mutual hatred, and now their seeming friendship. "This is not a war of conquest My Lady. We intent to place King Lot back on his throne."

"With a sizable stipend of lands, the west of Essetir, and on my own kingdom's borders." Mithian began. "When my father read the treaty, this was the primary reason I was sent. Those lands are rich and would greatly upset the balance between our two nations."

Arthur heard Erral scoff but ignored it. Everyone in the room knew the truth. If Nemeth stood alone Camelot could conquer her easily. Arthur was impressed at the Princess. Here she was, at the heart of the most, or at least second most powerful kingdom in Albion, yet still vying for her own peoples safety and security with surety.

"We have no alliance Princess Mithian," Arthur stated. "But I harbor no I'll will towards your nation. I wish that a friendship could exist between our peoples, maybe more trade than we already have."

Mithian's smile was grim. "My Prince you hold the olive branch with your left but in your right the sword is already pressed at Essetir's neck. These kingdoms exist in relative peace because of the balance, one that you are upsetting. Not since Vortigern murdered your grandfather has the land been at more unease."

A gasp went up from the established councilors. That was something that was never discussed openly in Camelot. Arthur however, was not his father. "Silence. Show some respect and let the Princess speak! Continue my Lady."

"The Saxons will be a threat to us all. They have been but two years on our eastern coasts and eliminated the minor kingdoms there. They fight amongst each other and still accomplish that. Also, while Carleon's kingdom and Cenred's has not joined in this second Purge proclaimed by your father, the magical community is tense across Albion. Druids flock across Bedegraine and we have heard rumors of something else living inside the ancient forest. Picts flock to the north of my father's kingdom, even now attempting to raid Powys. I know you want a friendship between us Prince Arthur, but there are more important things to deal with. Albion is on the brink of a crisis."

"Regardless of how I may personally feel Princess Mithian, my father's desire must be mine as well." Arthur sighed. "No man wants war, and no one more than my father despises it." Why am I lying in front of all these people. "But there will be war."

"If I may continue to be bold my Lord," Mithian said then continued without waiting. "Will it stop with Essetir, or will Camelot continue to grow stronger? We are free and independent nations, and have existed as such since the fall of Ravenna and the Western Empire."

"My father, my King, has no intentions of conquering Albion, he is simple assisting a fellow King, who like himself, had been usurped…"

Mithian grew angry raising her voice and startling the council. "And yet you forget who your father is, when just a boy Cornwall and Dumnonia were not enough so he seized Dorset and Somerset! You must cease this aggression! My father remembers well how King Uther Pendragon boasted about conquering all of Albion!"

"Princess Mithian!" Arthur yelled. "I wish for a peace and friendship to exist between our kingdoms. We mean no ill will to your kingdom, to Mercia or to Carleon. I would not betray what little trust is left between us."

"Yet Prince Arthur you are not yet King." She stated simply.

Arthur controlled his anger. If he was King there would have been no war. She didn't trust him because she thought he wouldn't go against his father. How about this my Lady? "Princess Mithian, like you, I can negotiate on my father's behalf. There is a northern portion of Somerset and southern portion of Gloucestershire that has always been a point of contention between our fathers."

"Gedref." She replied. "What of it?"

"Let this be a symbol of my good will." Arthur said with a smile.

"You gave them Gedref?" His father asked, enraged. The King was still dressed in his armor. "Those are some of Camelot's best hunting lands and the taxes we get from the people there are significant. It also borders Carleon's kingdom, we will have to abandon two forts we have there."

Arthur tried not to roll his eyes. He couldn't remember the last time his father went hunting. He had also looked at the tax rolls. This wasn't about money this was about his father's sense of pride.

"It was the price for the alliance father." Arthur began. "With Mercia on the edge we need a strong kingdom by our side."

"That you made stronger by giving them Gedref!" Uther was red in the face. "And yet you say a strong kingdom? We need the support from King Carleon not one of his potential welsh rivals! Nemeth is beset by Picts as well for God's sake!"

"Father, Nemeth has a large army. Their northern borders may not be fully secure but..."

"Yet they will only march four thousand to support us. And that four thousand led by a Princess?" Uther scoffed.

Arthur sighed. He knew it would come back to this. "A Princess that commands the full weight of her father's power, Sire. She may have no military experience but her Lords will be commanding the battle."

"A King should march with his people not send his daughter!" Uther raged.

Arthur took a glass of wine. His father also hadn't marched with his army in the last war against Mercia. He had sent his son.

"Rodor is a weak man." The King continued. "And that is what you will show the rest of Albion, that Camelot is willing to ally with weak man. At least you could have shown strength by taking the Princess as your wife. When will you stop bedding servant girls and fuck a real woman and have her give you a son? I am tempted to marry you to Morgana!"

"Father enough, I am tired of hearing your opinions on women…"

"Then forget that Arthur, I hear their troops will not even be committed to battle..."

"A close kept fact, Princess Mithian was insistent..."

"Do not interrupt me! Regardless of what our enemies think, when it comes to battle Nemeth's forces will not support us..."

"It does not have to come to war father,"

Uther flung his goblet down and rushed towards his son. "Enough boy! I have said that there is going to be war. You declared so in council yourself and a king does not back down! Your attempt to get Cenred to possibly cow with an alliance with Nemeth is a disaster. How you have embarrassed me and infuriated Lot. Not to mention Lord Mark. Gedref is his fief! And what am I to do Arthur? I gave you power to act in my stead!"

"You have planned to go against Lot from the beginning Sire, I believe with this alliance, and the alliance with Mercia however shaky, that we can force Essetir to a compromise and we will give Mercia more incentives to help us."

Uther calmed down slightly. "And how long will such a peace last Arthur? I tell you it will only last until I am dead. Once you are on the throne they will see a king who uses paper when he should use a sword. A king who respects weakness instead of strength."

"Sire you gave me the power to act in your stead. This is how I wish to rule Camelot when I am king."

"Too much of your mother." Uther muttered, mostly to himself. "I love you Arthur but I cannot allow this to continue. We are going to war. You will lead this army. I cannot go back on your decisions but I will not follow the path you have set out. We will crush Essetir. You are to report to the army in the morning. Your time at court acting on my power is over. I was wrong to think I could simply play the general again. When I am dead Camelot will be at peace. She will be strong, and then you can rule as you see fit."

"Father I..."

"Enough Arthur." Uther said tiredly. "Your strengths are on the battlefield. From this day forward, until such a time I deem you are ready, I am your King not your father."

"Father?" Arthur asked feeling all at once sick and out of place.

"It is Sire now, Prince Arthur." Uther turned towards him, pain in his eyes. "It is my fault Arthur. I have not raised you as I should have. I do not want you to hate me Arthur. I love you that will never change."

"Sire..." Arthur's head was reeling. He had done what he felt was right, and now he was losing his father.

"Kay will report to you in the morning Arthur."

Uther clenched his desk as his son left the room, tears burning in his eyes. Arthur would understand. He would give his son a strong kingdom, and more importantly, a kingdom free of magic. It wasn't Arthur's fault after all. He only needed to salvage this mess and crush Essetir. He would also send word to Morgana to hasten back once Cornwall's accounts were settled. He needed someone to talk to Annis.

Arthur sat in his room. He flung his glass of wine away before touching it and sent George running from his chambers. How had it all gone so wrong? In one week! He had made the decisions he would have made as king, and instead of being given praise or helpful criticism he had been ridiculed and reduced to a battle field commander who couldn't address his own father! He hated politics but he hated his father questioning his decisions more. No doubt this would spread. The Prince had been given his father's power at court and then had lost it. What would he tell Kay, what would he tell Morgana?

He sat idly at his desk when Morgause walked in wearing her red dress, her blonde hair loose around her shoulders.

"Make yourself at home Morgause." He said dully.

The blonde walked around the room before pouring two glasses of wine, glancing awkwardly at the one lying on the cobblestones. She sat one in front of him and began drinking daintily. "You will not make a bad king."

Arthur was incensed. "It's been less than an hour! How do these rumors even travel?"

"Your mood is proof enough." Morgause continued. "I was also there. I broke the news to Lot about your alliance with Nemeth."

"Perfect. Then you must know how much my father despises me right now." Arthur sighed. "We should not be going to war. Not against Essetir."

"Cenred disposed of Lot and his harboring a dangerous sorceress.

"Mithian was right Morgause." Arthur shook his head. "Albion is in a state of turmoil. We should be uniting the land through diplomacy not the sword. If the Saxons attack who knows what could happen? The entire face of Albion may change."

"Your father risks much in the pursuit of his own legacy."

Arthur turned on Morgause quickly. "And why are you here? You have given me advice these past day and have acted like a friend even if what I have done is distasteful to your Lord."

"You truly do not know?" She placed her hand on his arm. "I have lived in Essetir because I wanted to survive, but Lot is not my Lord. I see in you a true king, a man greater than your father. If you were to rule you could unite all of Albion and drive the Saxons from our shores. Uther sees only vengeance. He thinks of only the sword."

Arthur flung her hand off his arm and rose walking around the room. She rose and placed her hands on the desk staring at him, her cleavage visible. Arthur groaned. "This is why you are here all along. To spy on me! To bring a wedge between my father. Is this some treachery of Lot's?"

"Without Camelot's armies Lot is nothing." Morgause smirked. "And a wedge between you and your father? That clearly exists all ready. You are not your father's son."

Arthur shook his head with a sarcastic smile. "How simple you are Morgause. You give me advice in council, talk to me in the late hours about strategy, and now come to my room dressed in a gown fit for a feast, clearly with the intent to seduce me. Do you think I am that stupid?"

Morgause smirked. "Yes, because I have no intention of seducing you Arthur." She moved closer to him. "But you clearly are in need of a woman aren't you? You haven't been able to keep your eyes off of me."

Arthur chortled. "You flatter yourself Morgause."

Morgause hummed. "Such a shame Arthur, but I find a man living under his father's shadow to be highly unattractive."

Arthur reddened and stepped towards her but Morgause only laughed. "Go ahead and hit me then. But you won't, because you aren't Uther. Time to act less like him. You hold more power than you realize. She gave him a peck on the cheek before she left, leaving behind a very angry and confused Prince Arthur.

What the hell had just happened? He needed to talk to Sirs Leon or Kay.

Uther walked back into his chambers after dinner with Lot, his fury over Arthur's negotiations fading slightly. The worst part had been calming his fellow King. He should have a sword at the man's neck instead he was courting an ally. He needed that proof. Damn the other nations and their sense of propriety and damn Bayard for threatening the alliance! Had not Camelot and Mercia shed enough of each others blood? Still he couldn't read Lot. What if he was wrong? The man seemed so adamant in destroying his own brother and Caradoc's spies continued to find nothing. Maybe he had created an ally, one that would be another buffer between Mercia and Camelot once most of Essetir fell under Camelot's command. He seized up suddenly, noticing another presence in his room. He spun around drawing his sword and found himself faced with Morgause in ared dress.

Uther sheathed his sword but not his anger. "If you were not a part of Lot's entourage I would slaughter you without a thought! Why are you here in my chambers?" Uther suddenly smiled. He had the bastard. "Sent to spy on me, or to assassinate me?"

Morgause smirked. "No my Lord. I am here of my own accord. I want to discuss Lot's treachery."

Uther laughed and went to pour some wine. "Indeed? What idiocy is this? Do you think I have lost my senses? Is this a ploy of Lot's to test my loyalty to him? I am utterly loyal to your Lord do not question my honor by tempting me with lies!"

"He is neither my Lord or King, and if you are loyal to him Uther you are not the man I thought you were."

"How dare you!" He yelled, rushing forward and pinning Morgause against the wall with his gloved hand. He looked into her dark eyes and saw something there that he had thought he would never see again. Something he hadn't noticed. It can't be. He snarled. "Why are you here Morgause?"

"What daughter needs a reason to see her father?"

Uther knew what he had seen in her eyes. They were Vivienne's. He had taken the child from Vivienne, sent her to live in a convent when she was an infant. She was not to know of her parentage. He had not even known her name. He released the woman's throat and went back to his goblet shaking his head.

"No. That is not possible. Who are you truly? Answer me or I will lock you in the dungeons, Lot's advisor or no!"

"Morgause Pendragon, Sire."

He pointed his hand at her. "Do not say that name! You have no claim to it you bastard!"

Morgause's expression was unreadable. "So you admit it then...father?"

"Do not call me that I am not your father."

"Yet you call me bastard and yet I am your seed. This is no ploy, who knew of me save my mother. And Gorlois. Probably Geoffrey and Gaius as well, they seem to be part of your old guard."

So she had definitely been gathering information. Uther shuddered and turned away. God his own daughter. He knew it was her now. He now could see himself in her and Vivienne as well. "Who told you?"

"Vivienne. Did you think my mother would stay away?"

Uther ripped his sword from the scabbard, his eyes hot with fury. "You are no daughter of mine bastard sorceress!" He put the blade at her throat. "Lot's own little sorceress, you were Anatiss weren't you? Nimueh could change her form as well. Lot's been playing me all along."

"He has Sire, but not with me. I am no sorceress." She spat the word with hate.

Uther laughed coyly. "You have no idea how often I have heard that futile ploy you bitch."

Morgause's expression was hard. "Do you know what I thought when my mother came to the convent? When I learned I was spawned from a monster? Here you are father, an instrument against sorcery and yet you let it infect your lands!"

"Do not speak without permission!"

"If I was a sorceress I would strike you down now and deliver this kingdom to Lot." Morgause yelled. "If I was on his side I would have killed your son. I would have killed my own brother and taken the throne. I am not Anatiss. I despise her and all her kind!"

Uther started to move the sword away from her neck. "True. If you were a sorceress you would kill me, but you could also be leading me along, guile me into submission for some other purpose."

"Magic is insidious father..."

"I told you not to call me..."

"I am your daughter. You betrayed my mother's husband, are you going to betray me as well? I have waited for years to see you, only hearing rumors in other foreign courts. I have finally laid eyes on you and found out that you were so much more."

Uther lowered his sword. Here she was his own flesh and blood, the product of his betrayal of Gorlois. He wanted to hate her but found out he could only hate himself for what he had done.

"Am I to suffer for my father's sins?"

Uther moved to grab her again snarling but she held up her right hand and he stopped. He looked at the bracelet, endowed with the White Dragon, the symbol of House Gorlois he had bestowed upon his old friend.

"Before I was sent to the convent, Gorlois treated me as his own daughter. Is what my mother told me true?"

Uther sighed. On the day the Duke had confronted Uther he had mentioned that he had known since the child's birth, but had kept the secret to himself for Vivienne's and the child's sake. "Yes. He knew of the affair but did nothing."

"He was your truest friend then, content to let his own pride be damaged for your sake, for my sake."

Uther felt the fire leave him. Here was his daughter, his first child. Crown Princess. He had abandoned her, tried to make her a nun. Now all that he had run from was coming to haunt him. Jesus, has Morgause told Morgana who she is?

"Have you said anything to Morgana, to Arthur?"

"To my dear siblings? No father."

Uther poured another glass of wine, drank it, then poured another. He looked at Morgause. "If you are standing there, expecting me to apologize..."

"I am not Sire. You would not be the man I knew if you did that. You are king after all, you are the law. You saw my mother and took what you wanted. What crime is that?"

Uther didn't reply. He may have been king but he should not have betrayed his friend, regardless if he was in his legal rights to have any woman in his kingdom. "What you said about Lot?" He needed to get back to more pressing matters. His war.

"The bastard went along with the plan Cenred and his sorceress whore devised. He will march his mercenaries with your troops as has been planned, but at a specific moment he will turn on your forces. He and his brother will annihilate you. If Mercia has joined him it will be all out slaughter."

"And you have proof of this?" Uther was still careful. He was struggling with the realization that this was his daughter, and now was still wary of a trap on Lot's part.

"No, and I suppose you won't accept the word of your daughter?"

"No." Uther began. "It is hard to acknowledge you when I had planned for you to never know your parentage."

"I was that distasteful to you?"

"My betrayal..." My betrayal was distasteful and you are its fruit. "You now I can never acknowledge who you are, try yourself and I will have you imprisoned."

Morgause gave a slight laugh. "Father, and here I thought we were on better terms. I may be your bastard but I am your seed. I will deliver the proof you need before we march on Cenred. You can destroy Lot by buying off his mercenaries or attacking them first."

"And you will be rewarded, but never with my name." Uther needed to go over all of this with Gaius, and Kay. Kay knew the truth. He had taken the child to the convent. "You will not tell Arthur or Morgana, and remove that bracelet."

Morgause gave a mocking bow and Uther reddened in anger. "I spoke to Arthur earlier today, in his chambers. You insulted his pride and soon the court will know he doesn't have your full backing in political matters. He is too different from you. He's an aggravated young man, eager to prove himself. He has no feelings for me but what man wouldn't want what I could offer. He doesn't know who I am of course, but what would you think if your son slept with his own sister?"

Uther moved towards her. "You wouldn't dare bitch!"

"We both get what we want father. My mother told me a story. A story when you killed your first dragon; how you are destined to unite Albion. A man like that takes what he wants." Morgause smirked. "I want what is my birthright. The idea is repulsive, but I didn't grow up with Arthur and it helps that he's attractive."

Uther leveled his sword at her neck. He was going to kill her. But could he? She was his blood, she was clearly her father's daughter. "You are going to die, here and now!"

"Kill your own bastard? That's the Uther I know. But who will placate Lot? Will you turn on him now with no proof but your own word? The other kingdoms will not take to this kindly. Nemeth's alliance is based on Arthur's good will and Carleon, or Aniss I should say, respected only Gorlois. You have signed binding documents with Lot. Without proof you have trapped yourself Uther."

"I will have proof..."

"But not if you kill me." Morgause drew her face into a grim line. "I didn't mention that I have servants who on my death will deliver a sealed letter to Arthur, with proof of my parentage. From your own vaults."

Uther laughed. "A thief as well? Arthur still would never believe such lies!"

"Anatiss fooled him, or should I say told him the truth? And we both know this isn't a lie. Nor is the story she must have told about his conception. What else would drive him against you?"

"How do you know...?" He was going to kill Merlin. The boy had been the only one…No Leon as well. And Arthur had probably told Morgana. It didn't matter now.

"Vivienne told me when I was a teenager how you had him conceived. I didn't believe the bitch at first but it made sense." She smirked. "Your secret is safe with me father. After the battle you will acknowledge who I am, and by Camelot's laws, I am Crown Princess."

"No, Arthur..."

"Read the laws of your father, Uther, the laws you never changed..."

"I will change them. How dare you try to command me bastard!" Uther knew you couldn't risk killing her however, not now. And he knew he couldn't bring himself to spill her blood.

"Is it too much for a daughter to ask? Our laws have no provisions against bastards. I am your firstborn Uther."

"You think you are so smart Morgause. You honestly think you will get away with this?"

"Accept me father, or I will have Arthur's child growing in my womb." She smirked.

Uther paled. "You wouldn't do that, to yourself or to your own brother!"

"Nothing stopped you from sleeping with my mother and nothing will stop you from conquering Essetir and then Albion. Nothing will stop me from getting my inheritance. We'll talk about this after Lot is defeated."

Uther was enraged but did nothing as his daughter walked away from him with a small smirk. What can I do? He felt so small. She reminded him of his younger self, but with much more guile.

Morgause turned around with a smirk. "If you were not my father would you like what you see? Don't do as I say, and your son will enjoy fucking me father."

Uther shook as his daughter left the room. How had everything suddenly gone outside of his control? I have to kill her. I have to protect my son. But he couldn't do so yet, not with Lot still in the picture. He thought he could call her bluff, but when he saw her eyes he knew she wasn't lying. If she didn't get what she wanted she would damn herself and Arthur to hell. She was without a doubt his daughter. And what would happen if she told Morgana they were half sisters? Uther summoned a servant to fetch Gaius and Kay. There was her conviction however, she had not backed down. How different she was from Arthur, how more fit a leader. She never would have made the diplomatic disaster that Arthur had done this morning. Arthur had continued to disappoint him.

But if he revealed her not only would he admit his betrayal of his own wife and friend, he would have to name her crown princess, give everything Arthur held dear away. Again I do not have to say who her mother is, maybe she will consent to that. He should have slaughtered the child the second she was born, but he couldn't kill his own blood. He knew he could not now. Yet again why care about what the people thing? Why try to maintain his image of the perfect, loyal king? He may have conquered the Old Religion but Morgause had reminded him of the one tenant he loved above all. He was a King, and could do as he pleased. He was the law.

Morgause smiled as she made her way to her chambers to indulge in another night of reading her father's Purge records, searching for more spells, for more figures. She still had much to learn. She was willingly to do anything to legally attain the crown. She had lied. To her it wasn't repulsive, Arthur being her brother, she needed to bend her father to her will. She was the High Priestess after all since Nimueh's suspicious death. Surely Gaius, her mistress's old apprentice hadn't been able to kill her. If she wanted her brother she would have him. She was a law unto herself. Morgause would have the throne of Camelot, not Arthur. The boy would make a fine King but he still had ignorant opinions about magic, and was not as strong as herself. It was her legal birthright regardless. Uther would bend to her will.

Her poor brother was so confused. She had watched him since she came to Camelot. He was at odds, but seemed to want to be close to her own half sister. Then she had been surprised when she noticed his eyes on Morgana's hand maiden. How Uther would rage. He was vulnerable now, without that idiotic manservant who always inspired his confidence (though Arthur was oblivious to it). She knew Arthur would take her in a second if she let him. The boy was confused about his own feelings for two women and now he was alone. She needed to be careful however. Her main leverage against the King was her threat to sleep with Arthur. If her parentage was revealed to the Prince too soon it would throw her chances away. She needed to continually drive the wedge between father and son and while gaining Uther's trust. She had until they defeated Lot. Her plan was risky but she was the last High Priestess. Morgause smiled. She couldn't wait to see Uther's reaction when he finally discovered what his daughter truly was. She thanked Nimueh, for never once betraying that she had her mother's gifts.

Morgana had a small feast when she arrived in Tintagel, the people of the castle welcoming their new duchess. She had no small amount of individuals arriving to give her praise, some whom had known her as a child, and others Merlin was sure, knew nothing of her and were just hoping for handouts. Morgana greeted all graciously regardless. Though he wasn't on the serving staff at Cornwall, Merlin had no small amount of work as he was working as Agravaine's spy, especially were Sir Lucan was concerned. Arthur's uncle didn't trust the man. Merlin didn't trust him for a whole other reason though.

In their first week Agravaine and Morgana began to settle the accounts. Not only was she getting her own share of Cornwall's wealth she also was redistributing as she saw fit, mostly to old family friends who had been vastly ignored by Uther following their Duke's death. No mention of the Cornwall rebels had come up yet, and Merlin was wondering when and who would break it. Morgana had told him to be honest with her, but he didn't feel like he could betray Agravaine's confidence. He may not like the man, but he was loyal to Arthur, a friend of magic apparently and may have saved them from the Sidhe.

The Sidhe. Merlin was still slightly shook up, especially at how quickly the one warrior had appeared before him. He had a small desire to travel back to the forest but he was always busy with his duties. His conversations with Morgana and Gwen had started normal recently, but he closed up when the incident with the Sidhe was brought up. It bothered the Duchess to one point where she dismissed him from her sight after he refused to talk to her after delivering her sleeping drought.

Gwen had caught up with him that night and slapped him across the face.

"What is wrong with you Merlin? She is worried about you, as a friend!"

"Oi Gwen?" Merlin stepped back in shock but danced around the issue. "She is a duchess now."

Gwen shook her head. Well that didn't work. Great try Merlin. "She had this conversation with you already. She is concerned for you. We all are. Why did you go into the forest? We aren't blaming you Merlin. We just want to make sure you are all right."

"I'm fine, but I don't want to talk about it, is that too much to ask?"

Gwen rolled her eyes. "Then tell her that Merlin. Don't dismiss her questions. You've made her upset."

Truly Morgana was upsetting Merlin recently, seeing too much of Lucan. He didn't want to be around her, especially when all she wanted to talk about was the Sidhe incident. He wanted to forget all of it.

"So she sends you instead?"

He received another slap from Gwen. "What is with you Merlin? I came of my own accord because I'm worried." Gwen drew in a deep breath. "This is about Lucan isn't it?"

Merlin started and avoided her eyes. "Lucan...no why?"

Gwen sighed. "I know you feel something for Morgana, Merlin."

Merlin gave a fake laugh. "Oh please Gwen."

"I'm not Arthur. You can't pull the wool over my eyes." She gave him a smirk. "Please don't make your jealousy so obvious Merlin."

Merlin shook his head and began to walk away. "Gwen, please don't say anything." He turned back towards her. "Just leave me alone I want to forget all this. I want to get back to Arthur and to what I know. You can't understand."

"Yes I do." Gwen whispered as Merlin walked away.

Gwen was gone now, visiting her family's old summer home whenever her father had time off from Cornwall's forge. Morgana always let her go so they could be together as a family. The Duchess was being very generous to her, Merlin thought. He even heard her startling suggestion to Lucan that she was going to make Gwen a Dame. Lucan had scoffed at the idea that a servant girl would be raised to even the lowest ranks of nobility, and Morgana had sent him away in anger. At least one thing they disagreed on. Would Arthur be like that? Would he be the type of ruler who recognized accomplishment and loyalty, and not just birthright? He had done once for Lancelot. Morgana certainly seemed she was that type. How Kilgharrah was wrong about her.

Speaking of the dragon, Merlin was tired of having him invade his thoughts at night, or sometimes at different times of the day, always on the corners, always in whispers in a language he could not understand yet felt was a part of him. He had tried shouting back to Kilgharrah but was met with nothing. He needed to talk to the meddlesome dragon when they got back to Camelot at the New Year. He checked his bag, ensuring he had Morgana's drought, and continued walking towards her chambers. He hoped he would get an uninterrupted sleep tonight. He felt pity for Morgana, though knew that Kilgharrah's interruptions were tame and nothing like what she must experience. He was about to knock on her door when he heard a male voice. Lucan. Merlin's blood began to boil. God Gwen must be right. Merlin didn't understand, he had never felt this strongly about a woman before. It's just the magic, just my desire to help her come to grips with it.

"He may be Arthur's uncle my Lady but that man has no allegiance to you. You must be careful. The Queen and Tristan's death meant the end to much of his wealth. You have now taken Cornwall from him."

"Uther has given me Cornwall, Lucan. I won't say I despise Agravaine but he has an ill look about him. Your assumptions about him are far too high handed. Some Wine?"

"Thank you my Lady. I do not wish to be improper, but I have seen the way he looks at you."

"What is with all you knights? Have Kay, Leon and Arthur instilled such a sense of 'honor' in you that all women are helpless in your eyes?"

"N…No my lady. My Duchess I didn't mean that. I only believe that he may be hiding things from you, the transition is going smoother than anyone thought."

"Is that such a bad thing?"

"No My Lady but he is always working, always with the records. That there is always that sulking boy going into all corners of this castle..."

"His name is Merlin Sir Knight." Morgana said sternly. "I trust you apologized for striking him."

"Yes My Lady."

Bullshit! Merlin's mouth fell open. He lied directly to her face! Of course Merlin couldn't say otherwise, oh no, just another case of the servant versus the noble.

"I trust you know how I feel differently about servants. It's a job, not who they are as a human. I'm sure your Duchess's feeling won't be a distraction will they Lucan?"

"No, My Lady. But since the incident with the Sidhe..."

"Lucan," She said calmly. "It's Morgana when were alone, remember? You and I haven't spoken of the Sidhe incident. I sent Gwen but Merlin told her nothing, and I couldn't get anything from him."

Merlin felt he had turned a deep shade of green. This was the Arthur/Gwen/Lancelot situation, but Arthur never mucked out stables. She had sent Gwen on purpose? She was telling this all to Lucan?

"And my squire Galahad will make a noble knight. If Merlin told him anything he refused to tell me citing his honor." Lucan sighed. He spoke more freely now since Morgana had dropped the formal barriers. "I am lucky to have that one."

Merlin breathed a sigh of relief. He had told Galahad little, and now knew he had another honest friend like Lancelot.

"I know nothing about the Sidhe," Morgan stated. He heard her pouring more wine. "But word of this cannot get back to Uther. I know Agravaine will see as such as well."

"Morgana when I was a squire me and my fellow prospects grew up on the rumors of the older knights who served the King from the beginning. If the rumors are only half true, these Sidhe are dangerous capable of wiping out entire companies of soldiers. No man today has beaten Kay or Caradoc in combat, and when he was younger no knight beat Lord Ector, not even Arthur, and those men fear the Sidhe."

"And we survived with less than twenty Lucan. The only casualty was exhaustion, and two horses. Why should you be killed for what you are? Do I have your word, and the word of your knights and squires?"

"You do, Morgana." Lucan said smoothly. "I agree with you, magic isn't something that should be feared."

"You aren't afraid of speaking treason in front of your Duchess?" She questioned, almost too flirty.

"Not in front of you Morgana."

"You are most loyal."

"Always My Lady."

Merlin heard Lucan give her a kiss on the cheek. He waited a few seconds then lost it and knocked and entered, glad the door wasn't locked. He averted his eyes but not before seeing Lucan stroking Morgana's cheek, his other hand on her waist, the Duchess gazing into the knights perfect eyes.

"Merlin!" Morgana started, pulling herself away. "Do you always forget to knock?"

Merlin raised his eyes to see a slightly embarrassed or angry Morgana, and an absolutely livid Lucan. The, 'here my Lady I brought you your sleeping drought' routine wasn't going to work this time. But Agravaine and Lucan's little secret would.

"I came as soon as I could My Lady, I just discovered Lord Agravaine has been keeping something from you?"

"What?" Morgana hardly contained her fury. "What is it Merlin?"

"Bands of Welsh rebels landed up north several weeks ago and have been raiding a few coastal villages. Agravaine has taken the entire matter into his own hands."

Morgana threw on a shawl before striding out of her chambers. Lucan made an attempt to dissuade her but got nowhere.

"Thank you Merlin." She said, though still scowling, as she strode for Agravaine's chambers.

Merlin breathed a sigh of relief, only to notice that he was now alone with Lucan, and cornered against awall. The knight snarled at him like a drooling dog.

"Clever, clever little Merlin. We both know all three of us have shared that information for some time. Tell me how long were you out there?"

"Long enough to know what your intentions are." Merlin warned, staring back at the young man.

"Does she make your cock hard boy?" Lucan asked with a sneer. "I sure know what she makes me feel."

Merlin swung, but Lucan blocked the clumsy bunch and grabbed him around in a choke hold, same thing Arthur had done his first day at Camelot.

"You are far too clever." Lucan hissed. "And far too protected for me to do anything with you, Merlin.

"You are lying to your Duchess, playing on her emotions…"

Lucan laughed, his breath hot against Merlin's neck and ear. "You are good, if only I had you on my side. That's how you get girls Merlin, play on their emotions. You may be protected, but you have a flaw. I don't know if it's lust or if you honestly think she will ever look at you as more than a simple boy but you will continue to watch and 'protect' the Lady Morgana. Eventually you will screw up, you will be caught, and not even Arthur will save you."

"You think highly of yourself Lucan, if you think you can trap me." Merlin almost had ceased being angry. The Knight was out of his league. He was a warlock after all.

"You will be my biggest challenge as of yet, save the Duchess's virtue perhaps. Rest assured Merlin I will be visiting Morgana every night. And you will be here, watching. Listening. You are going to have to pick your interruptions very carefully my sly friend because you can't barge in every night."

Lucan released him and walked out of the room. Merlin took a few moments to calm down, and then placed the drought on her bedside before walking out of the room. He hastened to Agravaine's chambers. This was going to be very interesting.

Agravaine downed his fifth glass of wine in what must have been three minutes. Where the hell was Merlin? Who told her about this bullshit? Luckily his demeanor was calm, as it mostly was. He and his sister had shared that poise. And thank God and the Goddess for the wonderful view a flustered Morgana was giving him as she lent over his desk shouting at him. Why Arthur hadn't bedded this girl was beyond him. He needed to teach his nephew a thing or two.

"I am your Duchess and you continue to defy me!" Cheeks turning red, breathing heavily.

"Morgana you are not my Duchess. What passes for my lands are in Dumnonia." The wine was making him bolder. Come on girl my sister was queen I know how to rule a court.

"You have been instructed by your King to administer these lands and to transition it over to me in all matters. You call this a small problem with rebels but your papers make it anything but!"

"The levies have been dispatched and the patrols have rounded up most of the ringleaders. Judgment is being passed by the local commanders as is their right…"

"On your orders Lord Agravaine!" Morgana was seething. "I should have decided how to play this out!"

"The accounts and local disputes were more worth your time…"

"I am their Duchess! I won't delegate something like this again." She pulled back from his desk and stared him down. "Uther will hear of your insolence."

The wine was making him far too bold. "So like you Morgana, to fall back on Uther as a threat, when you clearly hold no love for him." He stood up and walked to his cabinet to pour some more wine.

"I will forget that comment Agravaine and blame it on the alcohol. You will not defy me again when my Duchy is concerned."

Agravaine huffed. "Like Arthur you have this power but do not know how to use it. Understand this, I am here to help girl…"

Agravaine grabbed his nose and dropped his goblet, it shattering on the floor. He looked up, rage contorting his features, ready to teach the bitch a lesson, but Morgana was already kneeling down, her face next to his. She raised her hand to his face, pulling it away as it became coated with his blood. He felt the tremor of her breath against his ears and turned cold at an old memory.

"If I find out you are hiding more from me. If I discover that you defy me again, I will crucify you."

She pulled her face back, her eyes showing nothing human. She had become cold and dead save the sick smirk plastered against her beautiful features. Her face was deathly pale. Morgana left the room and Agravaine remained on the floor holding his bleeding nose.

The last time he had seen such a display he had been looking on, and then turned away as Gorlois quartered the rebel Lord. Why had the Goddess allowed the same disease that claimed the father posses his own daughter? It was a wild, unpredictable blood lust that one expected out of a minority of professional soldiers, but not a Lady who had never seen combat. He knew something else was there. He felt it in the air and in the trembling of the room. Goddess help him. Help them all. The Lady Morgana had magic. Thank your God girl that I will not betray your secret. Does she even know? It didn't mean he would forget this. He knew more than ever that she was a very real threat to Arthur.

Lucan and Merlin burst into his chambers and looked down confused at the scene in front of them. Agravaine rose, his fear slowly being replaced with anger and contempt.

"Which of you inane morons told her about the rebels?"

Morgana found herself back in her room, frantically washing the blood of her hand. Her mirror broke nearby and she closed her eyes, willingly herself not to sob. What had happened? The entire night was a blur. First had been Lucan, proving his loyalty to her, and then proving something more. He was noble and loyal, and it helped he was gorgeous. Then Merlin had ruined the sweetness of Lucan's kiss, not that she fully minded, there would be others. Her warm feelings had been replaced by a rage. She had no clue why she had struck Agravaine. Just now she had released her magic and broken her mother's old mirror. What was happening? Maybe Uther was right, sorcery was an evil. Morgana curled herself into a ball, shaking and sobbed herself to sleep.

"I did not think you would answer the call." A deep voice intoned. Morgana knew she was in a clearing, but was face down in the grass, holding herself, and could not see the speakers.

"Who am I to defy it? I should have done this long ago." She couldn't see the speaker, but detected the tones of mutual respect between the two.

"Yes my brother but you were not to blame. None could foresee the cruelty that Uther would wrought. I only ask that you let me have my vengeance."

"You know I cannot let innocents die. We must speak no more of this."

"As you will, but now with your son in danger will you sit back, content to let him take up the mantle?"

"What can I do? I have enemies and friends on both sides? Is not destiny enough to guide him?"

The first speaker laughed. "My brother's words still shake you to this day, as are the words he spoke in secret to you."

"It is true then. Does he know?"

"He knows what the druids call him, but he does not know the significance of his name."

It had been three days since that dream but she couldn't get it out of her head, or work out who the speakers were. The past few days had been frustrating beyond belief. Luckily Gwen would be returning within the week and Agravaine had bent to her will and was being helpful for once. The past two evenings she had found some comfort in Lucan. It was good to have someone to talk to, just two people, without titles or responsibilities between them. Morgana couldn't work out what she was feeling for the young knight. It certainly wasn't love, but there was an attraction. She wandered down to the cellars, feeling like a child again, when her and Gwen would sneak food. Having sent her temporary maid servant to bed, she went to get some wine, hopefully to loosen Lucan up, as he always started off too formal.

"Sir Lucan this is not honorable this is deceit!" She heard the squire Galahad speak and immediately stopped herself and pulled into an alcove.

"Galahad not everything is black and white chivalry. This report must make it back to Camelot."

"Imagine what could happen to her? You have lied, gotten her to trust you and then…"

She heard slap and moved forward, stopping only when Lucan bellowed. This was not the kind man she knew. "We saw Sidhe! And she wants to cover it up! Her actions border on treason you should see how she speaks about magic!"

Morgana spun around the corner, her blue dress flailing behind her. Her hand slaked down her thigh finding her dagger. She didn't know if she felt anger or hurt over this betrayal.

"Lady Morgana!" Lucan said surprised offering a quick bow. Galahad did the same.

"Galahad, summon the guard."

"Yes My Lady." The squire ran off quickly without question.

"Morgana…"

"Silence." She said hissing. "You really did take me for a fool. You have betrayed your Duchess."

"My Lady, I do not know what you heard…"

Four guards came around the corner lead by Galahad.

"Take this knight into custody. He is to be executed in the morning for treason."

"My Lady?" One of the guards began.

"Do as I command." She said fiercely.

They restrained Lucan and he began to struggle. "Damn you bitch! Your treason will catch up with you! Galahad, help me! You can't continue to be a squire without my allowance! I demand you help me against this traitor!"

Galahad shook his head. Tears were in his eyes. "You have betrayed us all Sir. Worst of all you have betrayed Prince Arthur.

Morgana watched the grief stricken squire move away and she was left alone in the halls. She hated herself. She had allowed herself to get close to Lucan and all the while he was working with someone in Camelot to try to get her indicted on treason. She had let the man touch her, kiss her! Could she only trust Gwen and Merlin? She strode from the hall and began to wander the castle aimlessly. She wasn't going to cry. Lucan wasn't worth it. He would die in the morning.

Merlin walked alone late at night when he should be sleeping. He was having trouble. Each night he would awake, convinced that he heard Kilgharrah and maybe another voice, but it was faint and he couldn't make out anything and wasn't even sure if he understood the language. He walked to clear his head, exploring all the corridors. Tintagel was much smaller than Camelot and he quickly learned all of its passages and areas.

Tonight he encountered a locked door in a high level of the castle. He looked around, noticing no guards and turned back towards the door.

"Tospringe." He heard the click of three bolts and entered.

The chambers were small and dark. His eyes flashed and four candles illuminated the tight space. The walls were lined with books and a small desk stood in one corner. There was a solitary portrait on the wall and he moved forward to examine it. Morgana. No Vivienne. He walked over and looked closer. This must have been a room the former Duchess kept, probably where she kept her spell books. There were over a hundred volumes around. Merlin groaned. He would have to go through them all for two reasons, first to find out if the books contained knowledge he could use, and second to keep them away from Morgana. Who knew what might happen if she discovered spells of a more unsavory nature and tried to practice them. Or he could use them to help her. He could scan the books first, take out what he felt she didn't need to know and then give them to her and that way he could help her without revealing his magic. No that's the cowards way. Also Morgana trying a bunch of incantations could end in disaster. He had control over his power and Morgana didn't.

"What are you doing in here?"

Merlin spun around to face an infuriated Morgana. He began to stutter. "I...was just walking...around found the place...I wanted to read."

"This was my mother's room." Morgana was incensed. "No one is allowed in here, who the hell do you think you are the door was locked!"

"Morgana..."

"Is this what you do all day at Camelot?" Morgana huffed. "Sneak off to where you don't belong?"

"Morgana calm down I only wanted to..."

"How did you get in here?" Morgana's face kept shifting between betrayal and anger. "The custodian had the only key, the one I am wearing now around my neck."

Merlin lied. "I...I'm good at lock picking. Morgana, please I meant nothing by this..."

Morgana raised an eyebrow. "It's My Lady Merlin." She said coldly. "I watched you for a few moments from the doorway, you're not as clever as you think. As soon as you saw that portrait you knew what this room was. But you just had to snoop around. Why?"

"My Lady I thought that maybe your mother had something that would help you with your..."

Morgana moved towards him and gripped his arm tightly and hissed. "My magic? I told you not to mention it. I'm fine. My father didn't let anyone in this room once she left...or died. I don't want to see you in here again Merlin."

"You're not fine Morgana." Merlin pleaded staring into her green eyes. "You hardly slept on the road, you are hardly sleeping now. I've heard you every night tossing in your sleep and now since Gwen is gone..."

Morgana grew incensed. "You've what? You've been spying on me? I thought you were my friend!"

"I am! That's why I watch you, I care about you My lady!"

"So you stalk me from the shadows? You continue to feed me this poison?" She drew a sleeping drought from her pockets and smashed it on the stones. "You invade my mother's sanctum to look for books on magic when I tell you I am doing fine?"

"You are not doing fine Morgana! You immerse yourself in work and instead of talking to me you talk to Lucan! You have no idea what his opinions on magic are!"

"Don't talk about him! I asked for your help on the journey here with the accounts but you spend your days snooping for Agravaine and running off to gather herbs! You haven't been honest with me since the incident with those Sidhe! You have avoided all our questions and kept the rebel situation under wraps because Agravaine told you to! You only mentioned it when it suited you! "

"Lucan knew on our journey here as well My Lady."

"I told you don't speak his name Merlin!"

Merlin grew incensed and very jealous. "Of course Morgana to his face it's always Lucan! You have known him for two weeks and already your courting him, inviting him to your chambers, kissing..."

Morgana slapped him across the cheek. "Is there no end to your spying? How dare you invade my privacy!"

"I was protecting you. I was concerned about Lucan's intentions."

Morgana scoffed. "So now you are as noble as Arthur trying to protect my virtue. A friend would have discussed this to my face, not hide out in shadows. Do you truly think so little of me that I would roll over for every handsome knights that tries to charm me?"

"No, My Lady..." Merlin started.

"Enough Merlin! How dare you concern yourself with what I do? If you want to know Lucan betrayed me! He committed treason and will die! Yet do you truly believe I cannot protect myself, that I need a little servant boy to do it?"

Merlin said nothing and stormed past her. Morgana quickly began to cool and reached out but he flung her arm aside. "Merlin, I'm sorry I didn't mean...I'm so angry. Why can't you be honest with me? You are with Arthur!"

Merlin fought the trembling in his voice. He was shaking. "Speaking of honesty Morgana it is wonderful to know that you think of me as just a servant."

"Merlin, I'm upset..."

"No that's all I have ever been too you. And to Arthur!" He yelled, fully incensed not caring that Morgana shirked back slightly. "If I was just a servant would I keep your secret? If I was just a servant would I save Arthur's life time and time again?"

He left the room without a backwards glance leaving Morgana behind. He knew he wouldn't be getting any sleep tonight. He would go to the cliffs and observe the sea for the rest of the night. Damn the rain. It might cleanse him.

Morgana sunk into her mother's chair tired and feeling dejected. After Lucan's betrayal she had wandered for some time. She hadn't intended to go into this room, in fact she wanted it destroyed, but here Merlin was snooping around. She had become incensed. Why wouldn't he listen? She didn't want to be reminded of her magic. She didn't want to be reminded that she was an aberration who had no control over her powers. To find out that he had been sneaking around, observing her and Lucan? She winced slightly. Merlin, in his own naive way had been trying to protect her, even if she had been fully capable. He must have suspected something about Lucan. Morgana sobbed. She had insulted him, too caught up in her own anger. It was something Uther would have done, not her.

Rain had begun to fall but Merlin didn't care as he looked out into the sea. He could understand why Morgana would have been angry initially, but to become so infuriated was beyond him. What had he done wrong? He knew he had been unfair, but Kilgharrah had warned him she was like Gorlois. He pushed the thought from his mind. He had gone on lying so much and it was breaking the relationship he had with the Duchess. Damn the dragon. He needed Morgana as an ally. He didn't know what was going through her head, why she didn't want to talk about her magic, but he was going to help her. He sighed, soaking wet. He was going to tell her tonight and nothing was going to stop him.

He turned around to walk back towards the castle when he spotted a cloaked figure coming towards him. Morgana.

"Merlin..." She said warily. Her eyes were swollen. She had been crying. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have insulted you."

"My Lady." Merlin's face was abashed. "I need to talk to you." He started to walk towards the castle.

"I'm tired of walking. I want to look at the sea."

"My Lady you could catch a cold..."

"Talk Merlin." She said forcefully. "Please talk."

Merlin swallowed and came closer. They both looked at the sea for a moment before he turned to face her, wiping the rain out of his eyes that hopefully were hiding the tears he was starting to shed. "I've lied to you since that night you came into Gaius's chambers. I knew all along that you had magic."

She stared at him for a few moments, the rain bouncing off her hood. Her eyes were vivid in the night air. "Why didn't you tell me Merlin? How did you know?"

Merlin stifled a sob and looked away. He ran his hand over his face. "Because I'm a coward. I was afraid I couldn't tell you that I..."

Morgana moved closer. She gently put an arm around his shoulder and he thought about pulling away but stopped. She felt comforting. "Tell me what Merlin. Merlin, whatever you have to say, it's alright."

Merlin looked back at her. "I have magic Morgana."

Her arm froze. Morgana looked back at him, her face cold and her eyes dead. Her voice came out in a hoarse whisper. "You have what?"