Morgana crossed her arms as Leda theatrically pointed out the loose stone where she had found the spell book.
"It was right…here!" she exclaimed as she lifted the stone triumphantly.
Uther nodded solemnly. "I think that's enough proof."
"I wonder what on earth possessed you to clean in that corner," Morgana asked, eyebrow arched.
"Well…I was crossing over to open that window to let in some fresh air…and when I felt that loose stone, it was like someone had just been messin' around with it," Leda said in an accusatory tone. Her eyes fell on Gwen and stayed there.
"I have no idea how that book got there, and neither does my maid," Morgana said defensively.
"Nevertheless, your maid will have to be questioned, as she's the only other person who has daily access to your chambers," Uther said, his features creasing into a scowl.
Riled, Morgana turned to Leda. "How do I know you're not responsible for planting that book?"
Leda looked affronted. "Me? What would I be doing with a book like that?"
"Morgana, don't find fault where there is none," Uther said harshly, turning to leave. "Your maidservant will be questioned tomorrow morning, and that is the end to it."
Looking alarmed at the prospect of being left alone with Morgana, Leda quickly followed after Uther, a smug look across her face.
"I wish I could slap her." Morgana was visibly shaking. Gwen rushed over and tried to console her.
"Morgana, don't worry about me. I've been through this before."
"Yes, and you nearly lost your life!" Morgana exclaimed.
"Shhh, calm down. I'll be alright."
"This is all my fault." Morgana placed her head in her hands, clearly distraught.
A crack of thunder shocked them both, and they quickly turned to the window to see droplets bouncing off the side.
"Strange, it didn't look like it would rain earlier today," Gwen commented as they watched the lightning flash across the sky.
"It's rather appropriate, don't you think?" Morgana said, her voice sounding hollow and lifeless.
Gwen squeezed her hand. "If only Arthur were here. He would know what to do."
"There must be some way out of this…if only I could think!" Morgana pulled away from Gwen and circled the room. As her agony increased, so did the rain as it pounded against the castle.
"Let's find Merlin. He'll help us," Gwen said as she walked toward the door.
"No! We can't involve Merlin." Suddenly, the window flew open, splattering them with a torrent of rain. Gwen ran across the room and quickly latched it, looking back at Morgana curiously.
"We can't tell him, Gwen."
"Why not?"
"Merlin might claim the book as his own to protect both of us, and I can't have that."
"Yes, that does sound like something Merlin would do. But he always tries to get to the bottom of an issue first."
"It doesn't matter. Please, promise me you won't tell him."
"I promise."
"You must be exhausted, Gwen. You should lie down. Use my bed, please."
"No…no. I wouldn't dream of it. I'll use the cot in the other room. If Leda caught me she might tell Uther," Gwen said jokingly, trying to lighten the mood.
"I hate that woman," Morgana said between clenched teeth.
"Just…try to calm yourself. For my sake at least." With one last squeeze, Gwen released Morgana's hand and left to lie down.
Morgana let her thoughts drift as she gazed outside to watch the storm. She would have to hope for the best and pray that Uther would be fair to Gwen or any others who might be questioned. Or…she would have to tell the truth. The thought made her heart race.
A lightning bolt shot across the sky, startling her. The bolts kept getting closer. A funny thought crossed Morgana…one that seemed too absurd. She let all of her focus rest on a patch of ground in the courtyard and closed her eyes. To her amazement, she felt power seeping through her, stronger than she had ever felt before. When she opened her eyes in that split-second, a lightning bolt hit the exact spot she had just focused on. Jumping back, Morgana covered her mouth to prevent from crying out.
Was it possible that she was responsible for this thunderstorm? It seemed too unreal. Yet, the storm had started only when she had begun to panic. And she had controlled that bolt…she was sure of it. Could it be the storm was mirroring her very emotions?
Not knowing what else she could do, Morgana curled up under her covers and tried to block out the howling wind and rain raging all around her. She wanted Merlin so badly right now. She desperately needed to know that she wasn't alone. All the anxiety she had felt before when she had just discovered she had magic came rushing back tenfold. As the wind howled even louder, Morgana covered her ears and shut her eyes, hoping that maybe this was all a very bad dream.
"Well, great," Merlin muttered to himself as the sky opened up on him, soaking him entirely. He ducked for the nearest shelter he could find in the courtyard and hoped the storm would pass. If not, he would just have to run as fast as he could to the castle. He had been out collecting firewood when the storm had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Fascinated, he watched the lightning strike at various times, always in a different spot. The rain continued to pound down on the pavement. He couldn't remember the last time there had been such a storm.
As he waited for the storm to pass, he couldn't help but think of Morgana and Rowan earlier today. It was odd finding them together. Had Morgana initiated the conversation, hoping to find out Rowan's secret? Rowan had been strangely silent after Morgana had left, and insisted that she had simply been showing him around the castle. Merlin didn't believe him for a second. In fact, he meant to seek her out and ask her about it later.
Something in the corner of his eye caught his attention. Yes…a window…it looked like it had been blown open from the wind. Merlin watched intently as a pair of hands pulled it shut. He straightened. That was Morgana's window. It was hard to tell with the rain pouring down in torrents, but minutes later he thought he could see Morgana standing there, her hands pressed to the windowpane.
A buzzing sound grew louder in his ears. Merlin shook his head, thinking it was the thunder, but the sound grew louder, and his head began to hurt. To his utter amazement, a flash of lightning appeared just a few feet away from him, striking at the ground. The buzzing noise had left, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that something powerful had just happened. He looked up at Morgana's window. She was gone.
Braving the torrential downpour, he ran until he was safely inside the castle. Something was wrong…he could feel it. An unexplainable voice in his head was telling him to follow his instincts, so without wasting any more time, he flew up the corridor leading to Morgana's chambers.