/ HEY GUYS! Finally after years – a finished chapter! I hope you enjoy this one, I enjoyed writing it because it was angsty and I love me some aaaaaangst. Just a reminder to please leave reviews as they are so encouraging and to also read my new story which is Teen Wolf/Merlin based. It's called Oaken Tree – you can find it in my stories. Love you lots.

"How stupid do you have to be, Arthur Pendragon?!" the screech that peeled from Morgana's lips reverberated from the stone walls and she could hear the hushed giggles of the servants outside. No doubt their hands were cupped against the oaken doors, listening for any nugget of information or gossip their nosy little hearts may desire. But for once, Morgana didn't care; she didn't care what they heard for Arthur had a habit of getting himself into stupid situations but this was the very worst. From the moment the woman had sauntered into Camelot, she had left havoc in her wake and now she wanted to take Arthur elsewhere to kill him.

"Morgana…" Arthur began, slumped across the table.

"It could be worse," Merlin interjected.

Both of the pair turned to face him, "How could it be worse?!" they both snapped in unison.

"You could be dead," Merlin said grimly.

"He may still be if he follows through with this stupid," a slap to Arthur's shoulder, "-agreement!" and another.

"I gave her my word," Arthur groaned, rubbing the sore spot on his shoulder. "Do not start, Morgana. It was humiliating enough as it was."

A pause, heavy and uncomfortable followed. "And why may that be?"

"Because - " Arthur caught himself but Morgana knew exactly what he was going to say as she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Yes, because I was defeated by a girl!"

"It wouldn't be the first time," Morgana teased but it didn't behold the normal playful tone that her lilt would carry for she could not find the strength to. Yes, he had been defeated by a girl but a very powerful one at that and to believe that he was out of the woods just because she hadn't killed him before the rest of the arena was a foolish move, indeed. "I'm going to speak with her."

"Morgana-!"

"I'll not hear another word. If you're allowed to make stupid decisions, Arthur, then so am I."

And with that, she was gone.

The moment that she pushed herself through the doors, the servants scattered themselves away and pretended they were all terribly busy in scrubbing the walls with their bare hands. Some tucked themselves beneath the tables, pretended they were looking for something but as Morgana moved away once more, they all tittered like this was some big game.

But to Morgana, it wasn't. Every game in life of late had life and death as the stakes.

And she was fed up of it.

As she reached the chambers that they had so kindly and foolishly bestowed unto the woman-killer, Morgana cleared her throat, pushed her shoulders back and gave a rap of her knuckles upon the door. She didn't wait for permission and stepped inside, eyes ablaze as she caught the woman, patching herself up with needle and thread. "Forgive the intrusion," she said curtly. "I wanted to introduce myself, I'm the Lady Morgana."

"I know who you are," Morgause replied, lips thin but her eyes were globe-like.

Morgana remained tense, eyes travelling over her. "He wounded you, then. I did not see you bleed."

"It'll heal soon," Morgause said with a nod, tying a bandage around the wound. She lifted her gaze for but a moment before lowering it to the floor. "You look tired."

"You don't look so good yourself," Morgana snapped.

"You are very defensive, my lady," Morgause continued, giving her her full attention the moment that she had finished tending to her wounds. "May I ask what your issue is with me?"

Morgana scoffed. "Is it not obvious?"

"You fear for Arthur Pendragon."

"I do not trust you," Morgana agreed. "Why does he need to come alone?"

Morgause negated to reply – all she did was drop her hand down to her wrist, tug the fabric of her tunic up so that it hung loose around the curve of her elbow. Beneath the tunic lay a bracelet of beautiful embellishment. A thick orange jewel was engrained into the metal, black swirls of moonshine engraved in beautiful patterns. "- I want you to have this. It is a healing bracelet. It will help you to sleep."

"It's magic," Morgana said without question.

"Yes," Morgause agreed, still holding it out to her. "An old magic that will help you sleep. It was a gift from my Mother."

"Magic is not welcome in Camelot," Morgana shook her head, taking a small step back.

Morgause smiled. "Yet here you are."

By all sense, Morgana considered the conversation well and truly over as she turned her back upon her, not giving an answer which would no doubt be something she would come to regret before she stormed back to her chambers. Her own chambers, without paying a visit to Arthur for she could not bear to look at his face any longer - not when so much was at stake. She had decided one thing, though. She would follow him tomorrow, under cover of darkness; if he would not allow someone to go with him then she would simply strip him of the choice. All she allowed herself to do for that moment was to let the covers enshroud her. When Gwen came to prepare her for bed, she sent her away and fell into a restless sleep.

Until her chamber doors peeled open, Merlin stepping inside with the healing bracelet in hand.

His eyes were the only light in the room, a soft murmur lulling her to sleep – the amber jewel glinted as he cast a spell on it. And he rested it down upon the edge of her bed, a soft smile touching his features as he backed away into the night once more.

"Morgana!" Gwen's frantic voice awoke her, dregs of sleep clinging to her eyelashes and anchoring them down.

"-What is it?" she murmured, groggy.

"It's midday!" Gwen exclaimed, worry tainting her eyes. "I've been trying to wake you, I feared you were ill."

Morgana paused. "-Arthur. Where is he?"

"He's - " Gwen broke off, biting her lip. "He's gone, my lady."

"What?!" Morgana exclaimed, pulling herself to shaky feet before she noticed the healing bracelet on the end of her bed. "Morgause… She must have enchanted me."

"An enchant-"

"There's no time to explain, Gwen," Morgana snapped, but her eyes pleaded with the maid. "Please, get me my coat; we haven't much time. He went alone?"

"No," Gwen shook her head as she made haste to the wardrobe, plucking Morgana's ruby red hooded cloak from the rack. "He's with Merlin."

Thank the Gods for that, at least, Morgana thought but the bracelet unsettled her. It made her hands shake as she fastened her cloak around her collarbones before she peeked out side of the window. It wouldn't be long before Uther noticed that Arthur was missing and Morgana had to be long gone before they sent a search party out.

And with the help of Gwen, it did not take long for her to be on the road, too.

She just prayed she wasn't too late.

The trees corralled the pair as they walked, leaves making a canopy above them that blocked any trace of light, making the entire trip feel all the more haunting. Arthur's fears lay with many things; what would happen when Morgause met with him, what would happen when Morgana found out that he was gone and more importantly, whether he would make it home to her. She had been right when she said he was a fool but he always had been. If he didn't agree, he would have been slain before all of his people and the history books would write that Arthur Pendragon had been killed by a girl which was something that he could not allow.

"What if Morgause challenges you to do something you don't want?" Merlin asked from astride his horse.

"That's why it's called a challenge, Merlin," Arthur sighed, rolling his eyes. "You're not supposed to enjoy it."

"So you'd do anything she asked of you?" Merlin asked.

Arthur nodded. "I gave her my word."

"What if she challenged you to do something unthinkable?"

Arthur hadn't thought of that – what if her conditions were that he harm someone else? He would have to rethink his honour but what woman would do that? What man would do that? Nobody would; she would have him perform like a dancing monkey for him and then all would be settled and he would return home. Or, at least, that was the hopeful part of him thinking.

"We're in Odin's territory," he changed the subject quickly. "We could be attacked at any moment."

And as if by magic, a twig snapped behind them. They both spun around on their feet like rabbits about to be trod upon by horses. Merlin's eyes were wide and that was understandable, if he was unarmed, so Arthur stepped in front of him and drew his sword. "Show yourself, coward."

The bushes rustled, as if the men were toying with them before their attack.

But when they parted, out stepped Morgana – shrouded in a thick, red cloak and oh, Arthur had never wanted to scream at her as badly as he did at that very moment. "Morgana! What the hell are you doing?!"

"Saving your life," she explained, barely flinching at the volume of his voice. "Don't shout – these are Odin's lands."

"And you are walking them alone!" Arthur hissed.

"So are you."

"I'm not alone, I have - " Arthur turned to Merlin, who he believed was about as useful as a sack of potatoes before he sighed, rolling his eyes. "I have Merlin."

"-Right," Morgana emphasised before she moved on ahead of him, continuing to walk through the leaves and the forestry before she finally turned around when she was a fair few paces ahead of the pair. "Are you coming or not?"

"You're not stopping me?" Arthur asked when he caught up with her.

"Quite the opposite," Morgana said, lips tight. "I want to return Morgause's gift to her." She reached into her satchel, pulled forth the healing bracelet from the night before. She could have sworn she heard Merlin's breath hitch before she quirked a brow up at Arthur. "It's enchanted. I told her I wanted nothing to do with it but she left it in my chambers."

"Did it do anything? Are you hurt?" Merlin asked.

"No, I'm fine. In fact, I had the best night's sleep I can remember."

"And that's a problem because - ?" Merlin began, brows lifting.

"It's a problem, Merlin, because who knows what else it may do. I've had nightmares for as long as I can remember – whatever enchantment she's placed upon it is a powerful one," she drew in a deep breath, shaking her head. "Which is why I cannot let you face her without me."

The trek was long and tiring; and it was explained to Morgana – much to her dismay – that the only reason Arthur knew where he was going was because his horse seemed to know the way. No doubt Morgause had enchanted him, too. It made her tighten her fists into her palms until Arthur brushed his fingers against the curve of her knuckles – offered her a soft smile. But all she could think about and pray was that one day they would not have to face this. When he was on the throne, the rule would be different and people would not be so eager to kill the Pendragon dynasty.

Arthur would be a better King – of that Morgana was sure.

"It seems your horse has brought us to a dead end," Merlin pointed out as the steed stopped at the bend of a waterfall, watching as the water cascaded in powerful waves down the edge of the cliff.

"Where's he going?" Arthur rolled his eyes but the horse continued, moving towards the waterfall.

"You're going to get wet," Morgana called out, amused.

"You don't say," Arthur called back, gesturing for them to follow.

Water shrouded them, clinging to their clothes, down to their small clothes and soaking them through until Morgana was certain they would catch a cold soon enough. But the powered on, walking through the dark cage until they emerged. Before them stood a debauched castle, crumbling rock and stone all covered thick in ivy and moss. It looked ancient yet had the feeling that death had not long since touched this place.

"Now what?" Arthur asked.

But before either of them could reply, a crimson flash caught their gaze – through a broken hole that must have once been a window sauntered Morgause. She looked beautiful; garbed in a crimson gown that made her hair look all the more golden. Diamonds clung to the curves of her waist, silken sleeves covering her hands. It looked handmade but elegantly so. "You kept your promise," she said – noting Morgana and Merlin, too.

"What is the nature of the challenge you wish to set me?" Arthur asked.

Morgause merely gestured for them all to follow her and soon came a block.

A block with an axe embedded into the wood.

Morgause lifted the axe. "Place your head upon the block."

"Arthur, no!" Morgana exclaimed, pushing her hand out automatically.

"You gave me your word you would do anything I asked," Morgause reminded him, eyes not even looking to Morgana for one moment.

Arthur was silent. As still as a statue. Before he moved, falling to his knees and resting his head against the edge of the block.

"I won't let you do this," Morgana pleaded, moving towards him but Merlin held her back with a palm to her stomach.

"Stay out of this, Morgana," Arthur spoke, cold.

All Morgana could do was watch with wide eyes as Morgause lifted the axe high above her head as if it weight naught more than a feather. She drew in a deep breath, about to launch her magic at her, however untrained it was – before Morgause once again lowered the axe to the floor. "You have proven to me you're a man of your word and for that, I will grant you one wish. Tell me what it is your heart desires most."

Arthur quickly clambered to his feet, rushing to Morgana's side to protect her. "I have nothing I wish to ask from a sorceress."

Morgana couldn't help but feel hurt but she knew he was no doubt doing it to protect her secret.

"Perhaps you would like to see your Mother…" Morgause purred, moving to step closer to them.

That gave Arthur pause. He hesitated – for he had seen the power of her magic, knew the depth of it and how much she could accomplish. But to awaken his Mother from her (hopefully) peaceful death was a cruelty but it was one that he so yearned for.

"Arthur…" Morgana began, reaching for his hand.

"I want that more than anything," he decided suddenly, stepping forward.

"As you wish," Morgause inclined her head, leading them to another part of the Castle.

The patch of green was the most alive part of the derelict Castle – thick with ivy, still, but from the ivy bloomed flowers of pink and gold. They were beautiful and their scent was sweeter than roses. But it did nothing to calm the worry of Morgana's heart as she clutched onto Arthur's hand like a child would their Mother. She was afraid – and that was something that she wouldn't often admit to. "Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked for she knew the pressure that came with losing a parent. She had lost both of hers – her Mother, in childbirth, and her Father to Uther's negligence. To see either of them again was something she often thought about but by means of this woman that had seemed to want to do nothing more than harm Arthur was something she couldn't find the strength to allow.

"If you were granted the same opportunity – would you not want to meet your Mother?"

Morgana sighed, dropping her gaze to the leaf-strewn floor. "Uther would never forgive you if he found out."

"His attitude to magic is wrong," Arthur declared, taking her hands in his. "I know from looking at you now that not all who practice magic are evil. Morgause hasn't done us any harm. We must trust her for now."

Morgana was about to rebut before Morgause stepped forward.

"It is time," she said softly. "Close your eyes."

Arthur obliged, breathing in. Morgause's eyes flamed with gold before a gentle breeze fluttered the leaves, Morgana's hair and Merlin's scarf. When Arthur opened his eyes, Ygraine had materialised before him. She was beautiful and she was so very clearly his Mother – she had his eyes, his nose and his golden hair tumbled down her shoulders in beautiful waves.

"Arthur," she whispered with a smile.

"-Mother," Arthur whispered in return, choked.

They ran to each other within moments and Arthur swept her up into a warm hug, spinning her tight before he breathed out, air a shudder against her neck. "I'm so sorry," he gasped into her shoulder, weeping.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Ygraine promised.

"It was my birth that caused you to die."

"Do not think that," Ygraine insisted, moving back to cup her son's cheeks. Morgana was mesmerised by the whole encounter but something felt awry. "Your Father should be the one to carry the blame for what happened."

"What do you mean?" Arthur asked.

"It is not important," Ygraine shook her head, hands still upon his cheeks. "What mattered is that you lived – and you will be a better King than your Father could ever dream to be."

"You cannot leave me with more questions," Arthur begged. "Please."

"Your father, he was desperate for an heir. Without a son, the Pendragon dynasty would come to an end. But I could not conceive," Ygraine explained, mournful. "Your father betrayed me. He went to the sorceress Nimueh and asked for her help in conceiving a child. You were born of magic."

Everyone's breath hitched – save for Merlin and Morgause.

"That's not true…" Arthur gasped, eyes closing in despair.

"I'm sorry, Arthur. Your father has deceived you as he deceived me. To create a life, a life must be taken. Your father knew that. He sacrificed my life so the Pendragon dynasty could continue. It makes you no less my son, nor me any less proud of you. Now I see you, I would have given my life willingly. Do not let this knowledge change you."

When his eyes opened, she was gone. "No!" he shouted. "Bring her back!"

"I cannot," Morgause apologised. "Once the doorway is closed, it is closed forever. I am truly sorry that your learnt of your mother's fate in this way. I can only imagine how it must feel to discover your father is responsible for her death. It is an unforgivable betrayal." She rested her hand atop of his armoured shoulder before turning and leaving through the space where Ygraine had appeared.

"-Arthur," Morgana breathed, stepping forward. "Are you alright?"

A foolish question.

"Merlin, fetch the horses," Arthur ordered, voice tight. "We're returning to Camelot."

The ride back was a game of Arthur suddenly speeding off, causing Merlin and Morgana to chase after him as fast as they could and then him pausing to catch his breath before he would do the self-same thing. When they arrived through the Castle gates, many of the guards tried to stop them – to tell the Prince that the King had been looking for them but Arthur had no time for any of it.

He didn't even listen to Morgana's pleads for him to stop.

All he did was run to the throne room, eyes steeled.

He pushed the doors open like a soldier returning from war.

"Arthur," Uther greeted though his jaw was tight. "Where have you been? I've had search parties sent for you."

Arthur stared.

"Arthur?"

"I know what you did to my Mother," he said finally, eyes tight and hand upon the hilt of his sword.

"Leave us," Uther ordered. "No one is to enter." Leon made a hasty retreat, and Gaius, too. "That means you, too, Morgana."

"I will not-"

"Get out," Arthur hissed.

She would not go far, however. That much she knew. All she could do was pivot out of the throne room and press her ear to the door like the nosy servants from earlier. Everything was still – the calm before the storm. Before suddenly she heard the ring and clash of swords and she pushed herself through the door, finding Arthur with his sword poised at Uther's throat.

And for but a moment, she couldn't find the strength to beg for his life.

But to beg for Arthur's sanity – for surely he would lose it were he to kill his own Father – was something that she could do quite easily. "Arthur! Don't!" she screamed, running towards the pair of them. "I know you don't want to do this."

"My mother is dead because of him!" Arthur shouted in dismay.

"Killing your Father won't bring her back," Morgana explained – firm but empathetic. "You've lost one parent. Do you really want to lose another? It is painful, Arthur. You have seen my pain – do not bring it upon yourself."

"Listen to her, Arthur," Uther begged.

"Arthur, please," Morgana pleaded. "Put the sword down."

"You heard what my mother said!" Arthur shouted. "After everything he has done, do you believe he deserves to live?! He executes those who use magic, and yet he has used it himself! You have caused so much suffering and pain! I will put an end to that!"

Morgana had no choice – all she could do was push herself between the pair of them, hands raised. "Morgause is lying! She's an enchantress. She tricked you. That was not your mother you saw. That was an illusion. Everything...everything your mother said to you...those were Morgause's words."

"You don't know that!" Arthur screeched but he pushed himself back some so as not to catch her.

"This has been her plan all along! To turn you against your father. And if you kill him, the kingdom will be destroyed! This is what she wants!"

"Listen to her – she's telling the truth," Uther gasped.

Morgana had never wanted to punch him in the throat more.

"I swear on my life, I loved your mother," Uther promised. "There isn't a day passes that I don't wish that she were still alive. I could never have done anything to hurt her."

Arthur stared at him for a long while, tears dripping onto Morgana's dress before he slipped to his knees before the pair, slumping to the side. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he kept whispering over and over again. Uther leaned down to coddle him within his arms but Morgana pushed him away, eyes filled with hate before she gathered Arthur up into an embrace of her own.

"You've nothing to be sorry for, Arthur," she whispered, pressing her lips to his temple.