A/N Hi everyone! Here it is the chapter that begins Season 3! Can't wait for all of you to read it, so I'll keep this short. Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has actually given this story a chance and has stood by it commenting and favouriting and just plain reading, you have no idea how much it all means to me. Kara is in for one hell of a ride this season but of course you all know that, lol. Anyway I can't wait to explore and write more of the Merlin world and watch the characters grow and I'm sure you all can't wait either. Love you all and I'll let you go onto reading the chapter now. Bye! xx

A year had passed since the dragon attack. A year of searching for Morgana and they were still no closer then they were at the beginning. Camelot only seemed to be losing men as they continued to search for the king's ward.

Wind blew and rain drops sprinkled on them as Kara and Merlin followed Arthur as they rode up a hill only to find a sea of dead knights scattered amongst the valley. Kara sighed sadly looking around at the corpses of men who most likely had worried wives and children at home. A family that they would never see again because of Uther's selfish quest to use every man under his command to find his ward.

Yes, Kara cared deeply for Morgana, she had become the sister Kara never had and she wanted to find her just as much as anyone but it had been a year and she had disappeared with Morgause of all people. Her survival got more unlikely as the days wore on.

'Check for survivors.' Arthur called and the party dismounted walking towards a fallen come race. Merlin and Kara shared a look before they too dismounted and walked over towards Arthur.

'Seems their attackers headed north!' Arthur stated before rising 'Come on!'

'Do you think we should be going after them?' Merlin asked after the retreating prince.

'You are such a girl's petticoat.' Arthur said to him before continuing towards his horse. Kara patted Merlin's shoulder before she walked towards her own horse.

The party travelled through a dead wood, the only sounds being a crowd squawk and the sounds of chainmail clinking until Merlin broke the silence.

'Ow.' He cried trying to readjust himself on his saddle.

'Is there something wrong with you?'

'I've been on a horse all day.' Merlin complained

'Is your little bottom sore?' Arthur teased,

'Yes. It's not as fat as yours.' Merlin smirked and Kara giggled.

'You know you've got a lot of nerve for a wimp.' Arthur said,

'I may be a wimp, but at least I'm not a dollophead.'

'There's no such word.'

'It's idiomatic.'

'It's what?' Arthur asked and Kara smiled

'You need to be more in touch with the people.' Kara told him and Arthur rolled his eyes, knowing the two servants were ganging up on him.

'Describe "dollop head".' He said, not believing that there was an actual meaning behind the word. Kara glanced at Merlin with a smile.

'I bet he could explain it in two words' she said

'Oh really? Go on' Arthur said disbelieving.

'Prince. Arthur.' Merlin smirked and Kara laughed. Though it quickly faded when Arthur came to a stop, spotting what looked like an empty camp site. The prince dismounted pulling his sword out from his saddle stalking forward. The rest of the group quickly followed grabbing their weapons.

Kara held her sword close to her and she glanced around, knowing they could very likely be walking into a trap. Arthur ordered two groups of Knights to head in different directions while he stalked forward checking the fire.

The sound of arrow whizzed passed and one of the knight fell on arrow piercing their back, serves battle cries surrounded the, and bandits came out of the woods from all sides. Kara gripped her sword tight and immediately fell into battle with one of the bandits.

'On me!' She faintly heard Arthur cry but she was too busy defending herself against the bandit. She swung at him and he went to block it but timed it wrong and her blade cut through his arm. His scream echoed before it cut short and Kara stabbed him in the chest. She grimaced seeing the disembodied arm, before picking up his sword.

She turned and was immediately engaged with two bandits. Thankfully she had practised with double swords and she easily able to maneuverer the blades to block their attacks. Seeing they had foolishly left their stomach area unprotected Kara ceased her chance and thruster her arms forward empaling the two bandits on the sword.

She pulled them out and the bandits fell, though hearing leaves crunch from behind she quickly span the swords in her hands and thrust them backwards empaling the bandit trying to kill her from behind. She yanked them out of his chest and turned.

She saw Merlin struggling against a bandit and she quickly threw one of the swords like a knife, striking the bandit in the back ceasing his attacks as he fell to the forest floor dead. Merlin sent her a nod of gratitude and she replied the same before she drawn into another fight.

This bandit was stronger and bigger then usual so Kara found herself moving backwards trying to protect her self from the brutal strength behind his blows. Luck was on her side as she spotted an overgrown tree root, with brown eyes flashing gold it grew and the bandit tripped falling to the floor with a thud, before he could move Kara thrust her sword through his back, killing him instantly.

All the bandits soon lay dead in the camp and the remaining Knights surrounded Arthur. Kara stood beside Merlin looking to Arthur for their next move when the sound of twigs snapping caught their attention. All their heads snapped towards the fog and watched as a figure stumbled towards them. Arthur moved forward to investigate his sword drawn.

The figure came into the light and Kara's eyes widened seeing who it was.

'Morgana.' Arthur breathed in shock and sure enough a dirty and scared but alive Morgana stood in front of them. Kara could feel the tears welling up in the corner of her eyes and she looked at her friend.

'Morgana' she breathed before running forward. The woman in question eyes widened in surprise before happiness filled them as she saw Kara. The two friends embraced holding on too each other tightly, much like the time Morgana believed her and Gwen to be dead when they gave up their lives so Morgana could be free when dealing Hengist and his men.

The two women pulled away and smiled at each other, tears in their eyes, only to reunite in a hug once more.

Having arrived back in Camelot, Kara stood beside Gwen at the end of Morgana's bedside as Gaius examined Morgana. 'You need to rest.' Gaius spoke and Morgana nodded turning her head closing her eyes.

Gaius stood 'I'll stay with her.' Gwen said and Kara nodded,

'We both will' Gaius nodded moving towards the door fetching his bag.

'Call me when she wakes' he says and the pair nod watching as he leaves before resting in two chairs. Relief overwhelmed the two ladies maid as they watched Morgana sleep peacefully. It had been a depressing year without Morgana around and now the hope that things could go back to normal filled their thoughts.

Halfway through the night, Kara had told Gwen to go rest in her chambers as she was falling asleep in her chair. With a grateful smile Gwen left to go rest and Kara shifted so she was more comfortable in her chair. She played with the flame of a candle as entertainment, as it didn't burn being produced by her magic, waiting for dawn to come.

Kara jumped, snapping out her thoughts at a knock on the door. Morgana shifted in her sleep at the sound and Kara quickly hurried towards it to go off at whoever was knocking this early.

'This better be important or so help me, I'll-' her outburst cut short when she opened the door seeing Arthur there.

'You'll what exactly?' Arthur asked amused.

'You don't want to know, it'll damage your precious ears' she smiled and Arthur laughed.

'Kara?' They heard from inside indicating Morgana was awake. Kara turned to go tend to her but Arthur held her arm.

'Go get some sleep and something to eat, I'll take care of her' he said and Kara smiled in gratitude leaving.

Kara returned not soon after, she didn't get any sleep as Gwen was still sleeping in her bed and she didn't want to wake the girl up. Instead she carried a tray of food to Morgana stopping surprise when she saw Merlin exit, smile on his face.

'What happened?' She immediately questioned knowing the boy,s fear that Morgana would turn him in to uther, having poisoned her to end a curse that had caused everyone in Camelot to fall asleep the previous year.

'Fine. She um actually forgave me even apologising to me' Merlin said and Kara smiled.

'Well that's a relief' she spoke and Merlin nodded, the two servants wen their separate ways shortly after that and Kara entered Morgana's chambers.

'My lady, I brought you some food, thought you might be hungry' Kara said walking in and Morgana immediately smiled when she saw the tray.

'Thank you Kara' she said, taking the tray. Kara nodded and went over to her wardrobe to pick out the days dress.

'Are you feeling better?' She questions dot fail, the silence that had befallen them.

'Yes a lot better' Morgana replied as Kara laid out the days dress over the divider, trying and failing to hide a yawn 'please Kara go and get some rest before you collapse'

Kara nodded, yawning again and with a grateful smile she left, not noticing as the smile slipped off Morgana's face.

Kara made her way down the hall but stopped when she saw a soaked Merlin with a bucket on his head. She couldn't help but laugh turning his attention to her.

'Oh Merlin, how do you get yourselves into these predicaments? She wondered.

'Ha ha very funny. Can you help me?' He asked and Kara nodded with a chuckle, moving the bucket off his head revealing an annoyed Merlin.

'Arthur?' She guessed and he nodded, leaving Kara to chuckle before she left him with a late on his shoulder going to get some much needed rest.

The next night a feast was held, celebrating the return of the lady Morgana. Kara stood beside Gwen, trying her best not eye the food in front of her. She had barely eaten all day, running around preparing for the feast so a feast was pure torture.

Uther rose recovering from his laugher to make a speech 'Standing here, seeing so many happy faces, seems almost like a dream. I can tell you, I have not felt like this in a long time.'

'What, drunk?' Arthur I putted and the court laughed, Gwen and Kara giggled as uther swiped at his son with his napkin playfully

'Drunk with happiness.' He says resulting in Amore round of laughed 'I would have searched the entire world, the seas, the skies, the stars, for that smile.' He says looking down at Morgana who smiles 'To have it stolen from me was like a blade to my heart. Morgana, there are no words. You mean more to me that you will ever know. To Lady Morgana.'

'To Lady Morgana.' The court say toasting before chatter and music fills the air. Uther and Morgana hug and he pulls away stumbling slightly.

'I need some air.' He claims and leaves the hall walking outside.

He walks out into the main square and hears dripping 'Who's that?' He calls before smiles 'Arthur?' With no response uther looks around confused, his eyes resting on the well.

He stalks forward confused, looking inside the well. He smiles when he sees no one there, realising he's only imagined it only to have a hand grip his rest wrist a scream piercing the air. Uther looks down in fright to see Ygraine hovering in the well, dripping wet.

'Please. Please!' She cries as uther cowers in fright.

'AHHHH!' With a scream uther yanks himself free of her grip falling to the ground terror on his face, continuing to scream. The King curls up in the foetal position rocking back and forth, his breathing unsteady as the guards rush to him.

The screams of the King had interrupted the feast and after Gaius checking him over and quieting everyone down, Arthur and Merlin carried him to his chambers, Morgana, Kara and gaius on their heels. Morgana pulled back the sheets and Arthur and Merlin allowed him to drop onto the mattress.

'Careful.' Morgana cries before pulling the sheets over the King 'Is he going to be alright?' She asks.

'He should sleep 'til morning.' Gaius answers, and they all leave Moana staying by uther.

'What could've made him like this?' Arthur questioned Gaius as soon as the four of them stepped into the the hall.

'I've no idea.' Gaius spoke.

'Gaius, he was lying on the ground crying.'

'Exhaustion.' Gaius supplied but even Kara could see he was hiding something. Apparently so did Arthur as he continued to question the physician.

'Gaius. What aren't you telling me? What's wrong with him?' He asked walking forward 'Tell me.'

Gaius frowned before replying 'When I found him, he was mumbling. Most of it was incoherent, but...'

'What?'

'He kept mentioning your mother's name.'

'He never talks about her.' Arthur stated confused.

'He claimed that he saw her. In the well.' Gaius supplied and Arthur immediately leaned forward.

'Did the guards see him in this state?'

'I think you're worrying too much.' Gaius whispered.

'If the people get to know about this...!'

'We say that he was ill, but now he's recovered.' Gaius said and Arthur clenched his jaw before nodding walking away leaving the physician and the two sorcerers to walk their own way.

Kara was walking towards her own chambers when she saw Morgana's light on. Confused she walked over to it and knocked on the door 'My Lady.' She called and with no answer she entered to find Morgana standing by her bed still dressed.

'I saw the light, wanted to make sure you were alright.' Kara spoke

'I'm fine.' Morgan sighed

'You're still dressed.' Kara pointed out

'I'll prepare myself for bed.' Morgana said and Kara saw something different in Morgana's eyes, someone she had never seen before.

'You sure?'

'That will be all, Kara.' She said with a stern voice and Kara continued to see something flickering in Morgana's eyes, something almost ... dark. Kara bowed before she left, her thoughts of Morgana and the cold look in her eye.

Kara stood in the council chambers, holding back a yawn as Arthur told his fathe the daily reports, 'We've had reports that mercenaries are streaming into Cenred's kingdom.'

'Do we know why?' Uther questioned.

'There is rumour that Cenred is amassing an army. I think we should send a patrol out to assess the situation.' Uther seemed to not hear him as he stared last his son.

'Father?' Arthur questions before he turns to see what his father is staring at. There was nothing there yet uther sat back in his throne as he saw A
a small drowned boy, dripping water all over the floor, staring at him.

'Leave me alone.' Uther said standing and pointing 'Get out of here.' He said and the court continue to look confused at the empty spot that he was pointing at.

'Father, will you...' Arthur tries but uther cries 'I said get out! Get out! I'll have you hanged!'

Uther walked forward only to have Arthur and Sir Leon restrain him pulling him out of the court, Gaius following. Kara and Merlin exchange confused and worried glances as the look back to the empty spot between the court before the two of the, hurry out to go find Gaius.

'There must be some explanation.' Merlin asks Gaius as the three stand in the Phoenix corridor.

'During the great purge, Uther drowned many he suspected of sorcery. And some, God help them, were children' Merlin sighed at the information and Kara let out a silent gasp in horror as Gaius continued 'killed for the magic they were born with. Maybe his conscience is playing tricks with him. Whatever it is, we can no longer hide this. A king's hold on his people's a very fragile thing. If they start to lose faith in him, I fear for Camelot.'

The warning bells went off the minute Gaius finished and with a glance at each other they quickly hurried down the corridor.

They found sir Leon, hovering a fallen sentry by the drawbridge, Gaius checked his over revealing a stab wound, the knife still firmly set in the skin 'Take this man to my chambers. I need to speak to Arthur as a matter of urgency.' Gaius tells Leon who nods and calls over to other guards to help.

'The sentry must've been attacked at some point during the night.' Gaius states standing in front of Arthur in the council chamber

'Who could've done this?' Arthur questions and Gaius pulls out the dagger used.

'That is a sigil of the Bloodguard.'

'The Bloodguard?'

'Warrior priests sworn to protect the high priestesses of the Old Religion.' The physician explains.

'Surely they were wiped out during the Great Purge.' Arthur exclaimed but Gaius shook his head.

'Not all of them.'

'So you believe there is a traitor in Camelot.'

'It is possible, Sire. The sentry will be able to tell us soon enough.' Gaius spoke and Arthur look up in surprise

'He's still alive?'

'Indeed.' Kara couldn't help but notice the alarmed look expression on Morgana's face before it disappeared. Kara frowned mentally going back to the other night remembering how Morgana was still dressed even though it was late and that cold look in her eye. No, she couldn't of possibly ... Kara thought frowning as she looked at her friend not sure what to think.

Kara kept her suspicions to herself, not wanting to voice them in case they weren't true as she, Merlin and gaius made their way back to the physician chambers to check up on the guard.

'Gaius.' Merlin calls after a moment when he saw the guard not breathing and very still. Gaius and Kara walked over, Gaius checking his pulse.

'You said he was recovering.' Kara pointed out

'I thought he was.'

'Then what happened? You don't think it's strange?' Merlin questioned

'Very.'

Later on in the night Kara was walking down a corridor when she met Merlin.

'What are you?, she questioned and he held a bottle 'potion for uther'

'Ah. Well I have nothing better to do I'll come with you. Keep you company' she mailed and Merlin chuckled before the two walked into uther's chambers.

Merlin placed the bottle on Uther's bureau. Kara sees uther shivering and with sigh she pulled up his blankets, covering him. That was when they heard it. The sound of dripping? They both glanced down seeing drops of black goo on the floor. Merlin leans down in touches it, it almost feel like mud.

Before any words could be exchanged they heard the sounds of heels. Merlin slipped under the bed while Kara hid behind one of the drapes. Kara glances from behind them, and spots Morgana grabbing someone from under the bed. Kara go apes at what looks like afoot covered in mud. Morgana turned and she hid as she left.

'I knew it' Kara whispered to Merlin who nodded before the two hurried out after her. They followed Morgana through the castle and the town and finally into the woods.

They hide behind a tree and glance up at the sound of horses. Kara mentally groans when she sees Morgause dismounting and walking towards Morgana because of course she was behind all this.

'Sorry you had to wait. There was much to discuss.' Morgause spoke.

'But your visit was successful?'

'Cenred's army ride for Camelot on my command.' Kara's eyes widened at morgause's words. She glances at Merlin in alarm.

'I want to get a closer look, Merlin whispered and Kara shook her head but Merlin stalked forward anyway leaving her by the tree.

'There is nothing you cannot do.'

'It is you that gives me strength, sister. How goes the battle for Uther's mind?'

'When Cenred marches on Camelot, he will find a kingdom without a leader.' Morgana smiles but Kara is only half paying attention to their conversation watching Merlin, worried.

'Finally we are ready.'

'Not quite. Merlin suspects me.' Morgana says walking and Kara claps a hand over her mouth dos he doesn't make any notice as they two make their way towards where Merlin was.

'Has he told Arthur?' Morgause asks

'Not yet, but he will.'

'Well, then we must stop him.'

'That will not be difficult.

'Why?' Morgause asks

'Because he's already here.' Morgana accuses and Merlin jumps out of hiding. Kara first instinct was to rush to him, knowing he was caught but she stayed where she was remaining silent.

'Did you really think I was that stupid, Merlin?' Morgana chastised but Merlin quickly ran but he was chased by the blood guard. Kara leaned back against the tree trunk, praying he would get away as she stayed hidden from Morgana and Morgause.

Day broke and Kara looked from where she had rested her head against her knees when she heard morgause's voice. She looks around the tree to see tied up in chains in front of Morgause.

'You intrigue me, Merlin. Why does a lowly servant continue to risk everything for Arthur and for Camelot? You know the answer, but you're not telling me. Why? Come on. Time and again you put your life on the line. There must be a reason.' The blonde woman asked circling him.

'I believe in a fair and just land.'

'And you think Arthur will give you that?'

'I know it.' Merlin replied undeterred by her words,

'And then what? You think you'll be recognised, Merlin? Is that it? All this so, one day, you can be a serving boy to the King? No. There's something more. Something you're not telling me, isn't there?'

'I told you.' Merlin says quietly

'Well, you can take your secret to your grave. Weorc untoworpenlic.' She cast and Kara gasps when she sees the silver chains glow and tighten around Merlin.

'You chose to poison one of my own. You may regret that.' Morgause spoke before she left with her blood guard. Kara waited just to make sure before she rushed out of her hiding spot and towards Merlin.

'Your still here?' Merlin asks in surprise.

'And leave you here alone, not a chance' she smiled briefly before glancing down at the chains. There didn't seem to be a lock and no way to break them.

'Abricaþ benda.' Merlin casts and the chains only grow but don't break.

'Abricaþ benda!' Kara tried the same spell but to no effect.

'Isen fæstnunga onlucan me!' Merlin cried trying a different spell but it still fails. Kara sighs when she heard it the sounds of creaking and chittering. They both look around, not seeing anything but still hearing the noises.

After a few more failed attempts the hissing grew louder and when Kara glanced up she saw large scorpion tails emerging from behind the trees and rock.

'Min strengest miht hate þe tospringan!' Merlin tries with more desperation but it still failed. Kara stood when she saw the scorpions crawling toward them, tails raised.

'Kara! go!' Merlin cries as more appear on a hill but she shakes her head.

'I'm not leaving you!' She refuses as the scorpions surround them, Kara draws out her sword and fights off tow scorpions that had drawn closer then the others, she manages to stab them both but she didn't see the one behind her.

'Kara!' Merlin shout if warning was too late as Kara was stabbed in the back by their tail. She gasps as pain overwhelm her and she falls to the ground beside Merlin

'Awendaþ eft wansæliga neat! Forlætan me a...!' Merlin cast but he's soon feels a tail piecing his back as well. Merlin shouts and with a flash of his eyes he throws the scorpion back.

Kara eyes continue to flutter as she drifts in and out of consciousness. She sees Merlin keeling over feeling pain, 'merlin' she whispers and his eyes snap to hers.

With a burst of newfound energy Merlin roars looking up at the sky shouting
'O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes!'

He drops down beside Kara as the scorpions come closer towards the two sorcerers again. Yet they keep their distance more wary of them now.

Night fell and both Kara and Merlin contained to lay in the middle of a scorpion circle. The scorpions seemed more energised at night and began stalking forward hissing and squeaking. Kara closed her eyes trying to fight the pain and stand back up to defend them but she found she couldn't move.

The sounds of flapping wings brought them both relief however and with a roar of fire Kilgharrah killed all the scorpion surrounding them. Merlin and Kara grimaced at the heat, turning away. Looking up kigharrah swooped down and picked them both up in his claws.

'Thank you' Kara managed to breath

'Rest young one' was all she heard before her world went black.