Woot! This chapter finally came together (after too many rewrites). Thanks to Nance for proofing, and IcarusLSU for checking for the flow.

So...who's ready for GoT tomorrow?! EEEEEE! I've been watching the marathon all day!

And oooh soooo close to 400 reviews! You guys are awesome!

AWandersHaven: Wow...making me blush! Thank you so much! IF you want to write the butt wiping hehe please do, and send me the link! LOL

Nance: *groans* and the puns in this fic begin LOL

Aerist: I don't even know what Gwaine said...the guys wouldn't tell me hehe...hope you're having fun this weekend!

CarolynneRuth: don't think you're quite caught up to this part yet, but just wanted to say Thank you for all your kind words!

Nearly a week had gone by, with no word from the two errant knights. Merlin had successfully found Toby, and been able to keep him safe from Arthur's wrath.

A call to General Landry told Merlin all he needed to know about the situation. It was clear, in hindsight, that the entire situation with the clones was a devious ruse on the SGC. Aside from accessing the database at the SGC and obtaining information about the Sangraal and Arthur's sword, the Goa'uld and all of his clones, had used their mass transport to facilitate Laney's kidnapping, as well.

Colonel Mitchell had found the business cards at the house, and had come to the same conclusion. However, by the time he and his team had arrived, Gwaine was already gone. Only a hastily scribbled note explained that he was going to do whatever it took to get his sister back. All attempts at communicating with Leon's ship had gotten no response. So, while they knew who was behind it, there was nothing to indicate where they could have headed.

Merlin recalled the interest that Ba'al's clone, whom they had helped apprehend, had shown concerning the sword. Leon's story of his escape. centuries earlier, only added to the warlock's suspicions.

If the alien already had prior knowledge of Laney's involvement with the men from the sixth century, it was a logical conclusion that he took the woman as collateral. All Merlin could figure out, and Mitchell agreed, was that Gwaine knew the details of the demands, but had been so angered at the kidnapping, that he hadn't thought to wait for backup.

For the life of him, though, Merlin couldn't figure out why the typically level-headed Leon would have rushed off with him...that was, until Martha pointed out two crucial elements. Leon had virtually and literally been on his own for centuries, and love always made a man act impulsively...no matter how old he was.

Merlin laid back on the mechanic creeper and rolled back under a recently acquired Land Rover. It was an older model, with plenty of issues that needed to be addressed. As he fiddled around the underside, Merlin was a bit disappointed that Gwaine wasn't there to join him. He planned to present the vehicle as a gift to his friend, as a replacement for the old Orange Scout he'd left behind.

He had tried to convince Gwaine that they could ship the Beast, but Gwaine was determined to make a fresh start. "...Besides," he had said, "the parts are hard enough to come by here in the States. Why would I want the hassle of trying to keep her running when I have to wait a couple weeks for something to be shipped, and that's if I can even find the piece I need?"

Finding something comparable to the dying old vehicle had taken a bit of searching, but Merlin had been pleased when he finally came across the old Series 1, Land Rover. The body was in good condition, and he had connections for any parts they might need. Overall, he felt it would be a good project for the two of them to work on.

Instead of Gwaine though, since he and Leon still failed to resurface, Merlin had a different helper. Rolling out a bit, he called to the teenager. "Oy, Toby. Can you hand me the pliers and a slotted screwdriver? I need to tighten one of the hose clamps on the fuel line."

"Sure thing!" The kid called back, eager to assist.

Merlin felt the tools in his hand, and rolled back under the Land Rover. He saw Toby crawl in next to him. While he knew the boy was watching him, he could feel a hint of nervous tension. "Something on your mind?"

It took a few moments, before Toby actually said anything. "Do you think they'll find my mom?"

"I do."

"Do you think Mom will be happy it's Leon helping to rescue her?"

Merlin had to chuckle. "Your uncle is with him."

"Well, yeah, but you don't know my mom that well. I doubt she'd like being rescued by someone she doesn't like anymore, even if Uncle Gwaine is with him."

"Why do you think she doesn't like Leon?"

Toby shrugged, "Each time I tried to mention him, she'd get all bitchy with me."

Smirking, Merlin continued to evaluate the underside of the Land Rover. "I think your mum is a very complicated woman. She probably likes him more than she wants to admit."

Biting his lip, Toby seemed to contemplate Merlin's words. "Do you think she loves him?"

"There's a good possibility." Reaching up, Merlin fiddled with something above him. He started describing the different parts of the vehicle, pointing out to Toby things to look for, and why they worked or didn't. Finally having a good idea of what needed to be done to get the Land Rover running smoothly, he decided to call it quits.

They started picking up the tools and putting things away. A few moments of silence passed between them, before Toby said something out of the blue. "You know, you're going to be a good dad."

Merlin burst out laughing, grinning widely at the mention of fatherhood. So far, the only changes were that Martha had become a bit more emotional, and in the way that her already toned abdomen had begun hardening ever so slightly. The warm feeling he got each time he touched her, knowing there was a child inside, caused his heart to flutter."You think so?"

"Yeah...Wish I had a dad who gave a shit."

Biting his tongue, Merlin ignored the language. It wasn't his place to reprimand Toby, especially when he knew the boy was trying hard to be strong, while his mother was missing. He thought about the holographic image of his own father, and then about the man who had been a true father figure in his life.

"Sometimes, it's not about the actual man who created you, you know? I never knew my father...Growing up...it was just my mother and me. When I was in my late teens, she sent me to her uncle...he was the Court Physician in Camelot. He may not have been my real father, but he was the first man in my life who I really took to...Closest thing I ever had to a father. I learned that sometimes it didn't matter how, or if, you are actually related to a person to build a relationship like that."

The teenager's face lit up. He nodded thoughtfully. "Thanks. I should...uh...probably go check on my brothers."

"You do that. Your mum will be back. You'll see." He reached out and squeezed Toby's shoulder.

It was only a few seconds after Toby left, that Merlin felt a slender hand wrap through his bent elbow. He paused while cleaning his tools and glanced down at the mess of dark, curly hair that came to rest on his shoulder.

"I remember you telling me something very similar, not long ago. Well...not long ago for me anyway. Barely more than a year, it seems...but, I still can't imagine how long it has been for you."

He leaned over and kissed the top of Gwen's head. "Did I?" He asked in a serious voice.

"Mmhmm. You did. I had been so worried about Aurelianus growing up; never being able to know his father. You pointed out how he would know Arthur from the stories that everyone was bound to tell him, and that there were plenty of men like yourself and Sir Leon who would gladly step into the role. Actually, that is not entirely accurate. You never specifically said that you would, not exactly. You said Sir Leon or others...which they did...which isn't to say that you didn't...or wouldn't...because you really did..."

Merlin smiled, recalling fondly how his friend used to stutter over her words in an attempt to over-explain things. In the time since she had been a queen, to being released from the stasis, and experiencing the joy of being simply a woman, and a mother...no longer a queen of a kingdom she never expected to rule alone...Gwen had allowed herself to relax and become herself, once again.

"What I mean is...he's right. You will make a marvelous father."

"I hope so. I'm so worried that I may not be around to see it, if..." He hesitated, not wanting to burden her with his own self-doubts. He bit his tongue and closed up his tool cabinet, worried that he had said too much already.

She turned him to look at her. "If what, Merlin?"

He leaned back against the cabinet and shrugged. Merlin knew if he asked her to drop it, she would, but it wouldn't keep her from worrying about him. Her words on the plane came back to him. She believed they were brought back for him, to help him.

"If I can't find a way to reach Aithusa..." He finally admitted, with a great deal of reluctance. The moment the words left him, he felt the burden ease. Her dark eyes, deep and caring, held no judgement, nor pity. They conveyed her concern, and the love she felt for the man who was her best friend.

"It tears me apart to think I might be putting Martha in the same position you were in, so long ago. I don't think there'll be some sort of stasis pod, waiting for me, with a chance that I would be with her and our baby again in a thousand or more years into the future."

"You can't know that, Merlin, but I have faith that your fear is an unfounded one. The love we have for our families can create miracles. We find a way to move mountains...or even the stars," she said poignantly, "...just to prove it."

He let her words settle in his mind. Suddenly, he stopped, every fiber of being almost coming to a complete halt, as an idea struck him. Merlin reached outward. He felt Martha's concern. She wanted nothing more than to help him, to love him. Gwaine and Leon were off somewhere, rushing headlong into danger, to save the woman they both cared for. Arthur, Percival, even Mickey...

He didn't want to admit to any of them, that the hole inside him was still growing, though much slower than before. Without the assault of Aithusa's pain connecting to him through the Supergate, it was manageable...but, still there. Gwen had said they were all there for him, but not a single one of them could give him the answer he sought.

On the edges of Merlin's senses, he felt Lancelot, or the knight's consciousness, in a shifted dimension as he stood by...waiting and ready, but unable to do more without risking everything.

The conversation when Arthur had knighted Merlin in the library came to mind. Arthur had asked the three immortal men how they had not gone mad over the years. Merlin's answer had been simple. Love. [1]

"Gwen, you are a genius." He smiled from ear to ear and kissed her forehead.

She chuckled. It wasn't the first time he had told her that, but as usual, she had no clue what he meant. Silently, she waited for him to elaborate.

Closing his eyes, the warlock did something he never imagined he would do. He called out to his greatest enemy...the one person who had loved the dragon beyond all others. Whispering her name, he hoped that the woman she had been...for all her faults and vile schemes...would hear him beyond the fanatical devotion that the Ori had bred into her. "Morgana..."

"Morgana?" She gasped in disbelief. Her face betrayed her concern over hearing the name.

His blue eyes were fading back from the gold, when he reopened them. "You're right, Gwen. Love can do amazing things." He hadn't been able to actually touch Morgana's mind, but through his silent call he had felt a stirring. It whispered to him through his magic, and told him he was on the right path. "I need to find some way to see if this 'Adria' has anything truly left of Morgana inside her. She might be the only one who can help me find Aithusa."

"OH!" Gwen started excitedly, suddenly remembering the reason for her coming out to the garage in the first place. "That's what I came out to tell you! Arthur took a call from General Landry. It seems that they would like you and him to go with them on a mission. The Odyssey is waiting to beam you up when you're ready. Arthur is already scrambling around packing...or panicking...I'm not sure which."

A large crowd had amassed in the town square. Banners sporting the symbol of the Ori hung from windows, balconies, and rooftops. Colorful streamers of celebration waved in the breeze, strung between buildings. To all outward appearances, there was a festive nature in the air, as the villagers celebrated their new-found faith in Origin.

There was an undercurrent of fear, however, that was almost palpable. Down each street marched the Soldiers of Origin, searching for non-believers, or simply anyone who was not in attendance for the Orici's speech. Despite the seemingly joyful celebrations, each person who was dragged out of their homes and into the streets was given one final chance. Submit to the will of the Ori, or perish.

Merlin swallowed down the ever present bile that had formed in his throat since the Odyssey had beamed them down to the planet. He had seen the same thing far too many times in his long life. So many times, so many friends...be they Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or Pagan...or even for something as benign as having a different skin tone, it was the same thing. From before Merlin's personal experiences with Uther to now, there was a wrongness that went far beyond his comprehension.

He had to admit that none of what he had seen before on Earth could stand up to the methods these aliens used, but in the end, the result still turned his stomach and made his blood boil. While the members of SG-1 and Arthur shared his looks of horror and disgust, for the time being, they all kept their heads down;F hidden under thick cloaks and disguised as villagers. The mission was for information gathering only. A small spark of hope burned brightly inside each of them...that they would find someway to defeat the Ori.

A hush fell over the crowd as a Prior came out onto a balcony above them. His brown robes were very similar to those of the Gregorian Monks on Earth, but instead of a cross, he wore the symbol of Origin around his neck. Merlin's eyes narrowed at the staff in the man's hand, as he held it up to demand silence from the crowd.

"Mark this day, for the darkness of your world has been lifted so the light of Origin may shine upon it."* The Prior stated loudly. His eyes were clouded over, and his skin was a pasty white.

If it were not for him moving about and speaking, he would have looked right at home in a coffin. Merlin mused about briefly using his magic to put him there. He knew he had the power to do so...a brush against his shoulder, turned Merlin's stare to Arthur. The blond man knew his friend too well, and his touch was a reminder that now was not the time to act hastily.

The villagers were cheering and calling out their praise of the Origin faith. The Prior's voice projected through the crowd. "You have cast aside the shackles of the past to welcome a brighter future." His tone quietened, "Now, hear the words of the Orici."*

Just behind him, curtains in an open doorway parted. A regal woman, dressed in an elaborately embroidered, strapless gold gown, with a large pendant glittering from her neck emerged. Her jet black hair was pulled back into a bun, and there wasn't a single hair out of place. Her eyes were consumed with a fiery glow. While similar to the gold that flared in Merlin's eyes when he cast a spell, hers didn't diminish. There was something completely unworldly and malicious in their depths. The villagers were murmuring in anticipation. Merlin heard Vala gasp and whisper to Jackson. "It's Adria!"*

He shared a look with Arthur. The woman on the balcony held no resemblance to Morgana. Were it not for their belief in Gwaine's vision, neither of them would have even thought twice about the young woman's identity. When she spoke, there wasn't a hint of the insanity that had plagued Arthur's sister.

Her voice carried through the roar of the crowd, and she held up her hand to ask them for silence. What the two men saw and heard, bore a closer resemblance to Uther, than to Morgana. "The unbelievers amongst you sought to hinder our message. They took up arms in an attempt to suppress the truth...but, they failed and were vanquished. A reminder to all, that Origin cannot be extinguished. It will flourish throughout this world and countless others."*

Arthur's eyes remained on the woman. His gaze unreadable, even to Merlin.

"The believers amongst you have been richly rewarded with truth...with Origin. It is now up to you, to help others see, as you have seen..." Adria stated, lifting her voice in challenge or promise. She continued, "...to spread the message by joining the armies of the Ori."*

"What is it?" Merlin asked his friend. The sound of the cheering villagers kept his words from being overheard by the others.

"Before you came to Camelot, I recall my father working with myself and Morgana on how to address the people. That..." He pointed up to the balcony. "...was Morgana. The way she held herself, the confidence...That was the girl I grew up with, before..." Arthur turned aside and closed his eyes, unable to look anymore.

Taking a deep breath, Merlin stilled his mind, and pushed the cacophony to the background. He focused his gaze on Adria. All he had needed was Arthur's confirmation, and he knew what he had to do. His eyes flashed and he mentally whispered her name, along with a message. "Morgana. Aithusa needs your help."

He was rewarded when he saw her countenance falter. She stepped back and glanced at the Prior next to her. She spoke quietly to him, and Merlin saw the Prior nod in acknowledgement, but the warlock could see the hint of confusion in the man's face. Like a true follower, however, the Prior did not question his leader. Adria looked back over the crowd. Her eyes caught Merlin's for a brief second, before she turned and left through the door.

A tiny smirk touched the corner of Merlin's mouth. She had heard him. He could feel her heading toward an alleyway, behind the building. Placing his hand on Arthur's shoulder, he nodded and started to move off in that direction.

As fate would have it, Merlin had barely taken a step away when the transporter beam engulfed him. He felt his heart clench as his hope of gaining Morgana's help slipped away, just like the ground beneath him.

Arthur was there the instant the beam faded, catching Merlin easily, before any of the others had even noticed that something was wrong.

Watching from the windows of Odyssey's bridge, they all stood in awe, as some sort of energy wave engulfed the entire planet. Merlin felt his breath knocked out of him and his head began to spin. He could hear the others speaking in the background; something about a weapon of massive destruction that originated on Dakara, the homeworld of the Free Jaffa.

Carter was heading a team that was being sent back down to the planet. Merlin wanted to go, but his lack of qualifications for the SGC Hazmat protocol left him and Arthur on the ship, while SG-1 went back down to the planet.

The report that came back tore Merlin's heart. The flow of life was always something he felt. It was an unconscious hum...and suddenly...the energy below them on the planet had seemed to disappear. Now, he knew why.

The wave had disintegrated every living tissue in its wake. Even the Prior, who had still been on the balcony, was reduced to nothing more than a pile of brown cloth on the stone floor.

[1] Reference to chapter 31

* borrowed from the SG-1 transcript from 10x07 "Counterstrike" stargate-sg1-solutions

Thanks for reading, Please take a moment to review and let me know if you're enjoying the story! Next chapter will have some fun!