+ Hey guys. I'm so sorry this is late. These past few weeks have been hell. I've had to go to hospital, I've had to take my boyfriend to hospital, I've had exams, I've had performances, I've had coursework. But the one thing I haven't had? Time. No time at all for this and it sucks. I'm sorry ;-; pls forgive me. This is kinda a preview I guess cos I'm too tired to write a full one but I wanted to give you guys SOMETHING because of how long it's been. Please forgive me and please review! It really helps my muse to know that someone's actually reading this and enjoying it. So comment on things you want to happen or things you think may happen or things you're nervous for? Idk. Just something. Every review helps :) +

Investigations had rifled Camelot to find out who Morgana's attacker was; the Knights turned the entire kingdom upside down to do so but to no avail. There was nothing. No clues, no leads. Just Morgana's faint description of the leader of the bandits. But, of course, Arthur knew that they could not reveal everything that happened that night. Especially not the stone that he found with Morgana's blood on it-...Gods, if he got his hands on whoever did that to her...

It scared him what he might have done. He may have lost himself but he would not have cared; nobody touched her. But it was not over yet. Someone knew. Someone knew about Morgana and her magic. If word was to reach Uther-...Morgana could be sentenced to-...

He couldn't even think about it. It struck his heart like a dagger that never stopped twisting him; contorting his heart back and forth until he felt as if it was going to burst.

Soon enough, they had to call off the searches as a plague began to strike its way through Camelot. Water was churning through the pipes and wells as sand. The harvests were dying. The livestock were dying. The kingdom was surrounded by death. And so, they needed every able-bodied knight they could get their hands on.

For Arthur, it was all too painfully familiar of when he had killed the Unicorn and was put through a series of trials. Yet again, Camelot was under a trial. Yet again, his people were fighting for their lives.

Whenever he was on patrol, however, he could not take his mind off of Morgana. He had spent the past few weeks looking after her. Holding her when she cried, holding her until she fell asleep. But he felt that it wasn't enough. Nothing he could do for her would be enough until he found everyone who seeked to destroy her and stopped them. Prevented them from ever harming her again. Until he was properly her Champion. She assured him that he had done more than enough and that in fact, he had almost done too much. She was not more important than the entire kingdom. But to him, she was.

She was his kingdom.

Granted, he loved the people and the walls of the kingdom more than words could describe. But Morgana was-...well, she was Morgana. Truly, he didn't need to say more. If nobody could see how much he loved her then they truly were blind. The only thing he had to do now was to tell her. And even he was not brave enough for that.

Weren't his actions enough? Could she not see already? No. He had to do this properly. She deserved that. She deserved to be loved thoroughly.

However, his declaration of love would have to wait. For his father had requested for him to meet him in the throne room. They had not properly spoken since Morgana's attack. Truthfully, Arthur blamed the old King for it. If he had not frightened Morgana-...perhaps she would not have gone. Perhaps she would have stayed in the kingdom and have been safe. But all the same, he loved and respected his father and the kingdom was in trouble so all personal feelings had to pushed to one side.

He took a deep breath as he reached the large oak doors before stepping inside. "You wished to see me, Father?"

"Ah, Arthur..." Uther trailed off as he looked at his son, offering a warm smile to him which was only returned by a grimace. "Yes. As you know, the kingdom has been under turmoil. And I cannot allow it to go on any further. The food stores are only going to last for a few more days and what then? We need to find the source of this sorcery."

At that, Arthur almost choked on his own breath. "So-sorcery? You think this is-...this is sorcery?"

"Well, what else could it be?" Uther asked, his brow furrowed. "We're hardly strangers to it, Arthur. And what other explanation could there be for it? Anyway, it's of no consequence now. I've sent for a witchfinder. The best. He's highly acclaimed in these lands; he'll find out what's wrong..."

Arthur's breath caught in his throat, an icy feeling spreading across his stomach and straight to his heart. This-...this couldn't happen.

What if-...what if he found out about Morgana?

"-When is he coming?"

"Today. He said he'd be here as swiftly as able. He should be here within the hour."

Arthur knew that protesting to his father would only increase susipicion so he simply nodded solemnly. "Yes, Father. I'll arrange for Merlin to prepare one of the guest chambers."

And with that, he turned on his heel and made his way out of the room and straight to Morgana's chambers to warn her.

The thumping on her door startled the young ward as she stood from her vanity table and opened the door, smiling instantly as she saw the face on the other side. "Arthur...To what do I owe this disturbance?" she teased, quirking her brow but she stopped immediately when she saw the look on his face. He was flushed, his eyes were fixed firmly on her, his hands were shaking. "What is it? What's wrong?" she asked, moving to take his hand but he pulled away and walked past her, closing the door quickly behind her. "-Arthur, you're frightening me, what is it?"

Arthur took in a few breaths, releasing them slowly before he stepped forward, taking her hands in his. "My father's blaming all of-...this on sorcery, Morgana. He's ordered for a witchfinder to be brought to Camelot." He knew that no more words needed to be said as a gasp escaped Morgana's lips. He felt her hands tremble lightly in his and it sent a twinge to his heart. "I'll not let him harm you, Morgana. I'll keep you safe, just as I always have." He raised his hand to cup her cheek. "Just as I always will." He smiled sincerely at her even though it faltered quickly when he saw the tears in her eyes. Whenever she cried, it broke his heart. He could feel her pain through and through and so, he wrapped his arms around her. "He won't find you," he said firmly, pressing his face into her hair. "I'd rather die than have anyone find out."