Morgana's head was spinning.

What was she going to do? Because of her carelessness and a very snoopy maid, her secret had almost been discovered. And because she had denied having any knowledge of the book, innocent people would be hurt in Uther's witchhunt. What had she done? She had challenged Uther and angered him. But she had been dying to ask him that question for so long. Would he truly have her executed if he found out she had magic? She needed to talk to someone…anyone.

Merlin. He could help her.

She walked briskly to Gaius's chambers, hoping he would be there.

"Morgana!" Gaius exclaimed as she entered the room. "What brings you here?"

"Gaius, I'm looking for Merlin. Is he here?" Morgana glanced around her, anxious for any sign of him. Rowan sat at one of the benches, his gaze fixed on the ingredients he was mixing for a potion.

"No, he's not. I expect he's off doing one of his chores for Arthur. Anything I can help you with?

"No…nothing. I'm sorry I bothered you."

"Are you well, child?" Gaius asked in a concerned tone.

"Yes, quite well, thank you." Hoping to hide her distress, Morgana turned to leave. She felt so foolish.

"I think I know where he is," Rowan said quickly. "I can help you."

Stunned he had even offered, Morgana quickly accepted. "Would you? I would be so grateful."

"Of course. I'll be just a minute." Rowan grabbed his cloak and satchel. "Might as well make some of my rounds while I'm out."

"I really appreciate your help," Morgana said after they had left.

"Of course," Rowan said curtly. "I believe Merlin is cleaning Arthur's armor."

Morgana wondered why it was necessary for Rowan to show her the way when he could have just told her where he was. She wasn't exactly a stranger to the castle.

"I hope I'm not being too impertinent, but is anything the matter?" Rowan asked.

"No, not at all. I need to ask Merlin a question."

"Oh. You just seemed distressed."

Morgana stiffened. "Well, thank you very much for your help. I think I can find Merlin from here."

"My lady…you shouldn't involve him."

Not expecting those words, she paused and locked eyes with Rowan. "I have no idea what you mean."

Rowan stepped closer. "I think you do."

Morgana stopped and looked around her, hoping and praying that no one was listening. "What do you know?"

"I know that the courses taken by the two of you today will lead to an inevitable outcome, and unfortunately there just might be no way to avoid it."

"I know who you are," Morgana muttered. "We are alike, the two of us."

"No, my lady. We are not as alike as you might think. But yes, we have the same gift."

"You see the future, just as I do. You see terrifying things that you have no control over."

Rowan nodded. "Yes, although I wish I hadn't been burdened with such a power."

"Why don't you want me to seek out Merlin? Or has word already spread around the castle?" Morgana asked, a panicked expression crossing her face.

"I can only see bits and pieces...I never see the entire picture in my dreams. But it is what I see in the future that causes me to fear. And I worry what will happen after today."

"What is coming? What is it that you see?"

"I've already said more than I should. And I've been warned about the consequences of meddling in the future. But if I can prevent any of this from happening, I would start first by telling you not to involve Merlin in any of this. Please."

"Well, fancy meeting you two here."

Startled, Morgana and Rowan looked down the hall to see Merlin striding toward them, a curious expression on his face. No doubt he was shocked to see them together.

"Please, I'm begging you," Rowan murmured before Merlin got any closer. "His life could be in danger."

Merlin looked expectantly from the two, waiting for one of them to speak. "Sorry…did I interrupt something?"

"No…you didn't," Morgana said. "I was just showing Rowan some of the shortcuts around the castle to help him with his deliveries. If you'll excuse me…" she said softly as she pushed past Merlin. Rowan's words were still echoing in her ears. Please, I'm begging you. You shouldn't involve him. But it was his last words that truly frightened her. His life could be in danger.

She hastily brushed a tear away as she walked toward her chambers. Would his life be in danger if she told him about the discovery of the book? It belonged to him after all. Perhaps that was what Rowan meant. Would Merlin claim it as his own?

She couldn't allow that to happen, even if it meant being alone in her misery.

As Morgana entered her chambers, she braced herself for what she might find. Uther was going to bring that horrible woman back to show them where she had found the book. Thankfully, no one was there yet. No one…except Gwen, who was busy working. All of Morgana's anxious thoughts came flooding back in an instant. Sweet Gwen would be questioned once more for something she had no involvement in. It was unfair. And Morgana was afraid that this time she would not be so lucky. Uther was not one to listen to reason. He accused others harshly and many times without the proper evidence. Morgana had to tell her.

"Gwen."

Gwen turned and smiled. "Morgana! Is everything aright? What did the King want?"

"Gwen, could we…sit down?"

Gwen looked puzzled but complied as she sat next to Morgana on her bed.

Morgana proceeded to tell her the sorry tale, ending with Uther's determination to find the owner of the book.

"That Leda…I knew she would be trouble. If I had been here this morning none of this would have happened!" Gwen lamented.

"Don't blame yourself! No one could have predicted this. But Gwen, Uther will have you questioned. I begged him not to, but he is a determined man."

Gwen nodded slowly. "I understand. And I would expect nothing less of Uther. But what I don't understand is who actually put the book there?"

"Gwen, there's something else I should tell you." Morgana breathed in deeply before she continued, not sure if she was making the right decision. "I put it there."

"You put it there? But why?"

"Because I was reading from it."

"I don't understand…"

"I know, and I'm sorry to spring this all on you. Gwen, remember when my window drapes caught on fire and the glass shattered?"

"Of course."

"Or when Uther believed the Druids kidnapped me?"

"How could I forget? I was so worried for you."

"I went there on my own. I wasn't kidnapped."

Gwen's eyes widened, but she remained silent.

"I have magic, Gwen. I caused the fire accidentally that night. I went to the Druids so they could help me." After a few moments of awkward silence, Morgana spoke. "Gwen, please say something."

"I'm sorry. I'm just…shocked. Although I should have known. You were so upset that day. I always found it hard to believe you had been kidnapped. But my lady, are you sure you have…magic?"

"Yes, I am. I'm sorry I never told you. I wanted to…truly. I was so afraid."

"No, don't be sorry. I understand your reasons. Does anyone else know? I'm sure you've confided in Gaius."

Morgana shook her head. "I tried to confide in Gaius, but he turned me away. It's like he knew, but he was in denial of my powers. Or wanted me to be ignorant of them. But there is someone who knows…Merlin."

"Merlin?"

"He helped me contact the Druids. If it hadn't been for him, I would have never found peace with who I was. Gwen, I am sorry I told this to you so suddenly. Did I do the right thing?"

"Yes, I'm glad you told me. I only wish I could have been there for you."

"You've always been there for me! You've cared for me in more ways than one…comforted me every time I had a nightmare. And you've always been my friend and companion. I just wish I didn't have to burden you with this. And now you'll be questioned because of me."

Gwen reached for Morgana's hand and squeezed it gently. "We'll make it through this. We always do. And you know very well you can never tell Uther of your powers."

"I was tempted to. I wanted to tell him so badly, but I couldn't."

"Don't ever tell him, Morgana…even for my sake."

"I won't let him harm you, I can promise you that."

A sound of a firm knock on the door silenced them both. "Morgana, open the door." It was Uther's voice.

"I'll get it," Gwen said as she began to rise.

"No!" Morgana exclaimed as she pulled Gwen back.

"Morgana, you mustn't anger him any more than you already have. At least see what he wants."

"I know what he wants. He'll bring that terrible woman in here."

The knocking persisted, getting louder every second. "Morgana, open the door this instant, or I'll have a guard push it in!"

"Morgana…" Gwen moaned as she glanced nervously at the door.

"I'll answer it," Morgana said firmly as she held Gwen back. As much as she dreaded facing Uther again, she knew she couldn't put it off forever. Her hands trembled as she unlatched the door and gripped the handle to open it.

Thanks so much for the feedback so far! I love hearing your thoughts on what could have been in Morgana's story. I recently rewatched Series 3 of Merlin and kept thinking how different things could have been. It's so much fun coming up with these "what-if" scenarios. Please remember to comment if you're reading the story...any encouragement is always lovely. :)

Oh, and when sjritts mentioned the magic reveal to Gwen, that reminded me to throw the question out there about it. Personally, I always wanted Morgana to confide in Gwen. Gwen would have definitely kept her secret (at least I think she would have). But I guess since the writers went in a different direction with her story that it wouldn't have worked out in the series. Still...so much could have been said that we didn't get to see. So thanks for pointing that out sjritts! :)