So, here we are, readers! Right back to the beginning. I started out with this scene in the first chapter as sort of a "flash forward" for the story, so I hope it all makes sense for you now. And you guys are good...you've been guessing certain things all along the way. Hope you enjoy this chapter...oh, and just to let you know, this isn't the last one. I won't say anything more until you've read it. ;)

I have to save him.

Morgana ran faster than she thought was physically possible. She tore through branches and vines, not even sure if she was on the right path. But she wouldn't let anything deter her, not even when her dress snagged and tore on a thorn bush she had recklessly crashed into. Without wasting any more time, she pulled the satin gown down and slipped out of it, not needing the extra weight. She ignored the blood that was slowly beginning to trickle down her leg. The thorn must have gone through the fabric, but she had no time to worry about something so minor, let alone the fact that she was practically naked as far as society was concerned. But what did she care that she was traipsing through the forest in her undergarments? She had one goal and one goal only in her mind.

To save Merlin.

She wondered how long it would take for the knights to catch up with her. Hopefully Leon had given her enough of a head start. She paused for a second, catching her breath. She couldn't hear anything, which was a good sign. As she ran, her thoughts wandered back to her conversation with Uther. She was certain of one thing now: she hated him. Truly hated him. He had lied to her. She wondered how he could even justify executing Merlin when he had promised to give him more time. Morgana wondered briefly if that was what Uther had wanted to tell her…that he was going ahead with the execution. It didn't matter anymore. She would never forgive him now.

Surely Arthur would find out and stop his father. Unless Uther was keeping his plan hidden from him as well. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise her. Morgana gritted her teeth as a sharp stick scraped against her knee, stumbling in the process. She cried out and quickly covered her mouth, hoping no one had heard her.

As the castle came into view, she let out a sigh of relief. She had made it…hopefully in time. The sky was already beginning to grow dark. Once she reached the castle gates of Camelot, she noted how quiet it was, with hardly anyone mulling about…a sign that something definitely wasn't right.

Morgana picked up her pace and headed for the courtyard. Her heart fell when she saw the smoke rising in the distance. She paused…out of breath and trembling. "No…" she murmured, breathing heavily. "No!" She sprinted toward the crowd of people that had gathered around to witness what she could only assume was an execution.

When Morgana saw him, her world stopped.

The flames greedily licked the wood around Merlin's feet and began to rise, surrounding him. She watched in horror as he pulled away as the fire inched closer and closer to his body.

She had been too late.

Every voice of reason left Morgana's head when she saw Merlin being burnt at the stake. All she could focus on was fear. And hate. Even from where she stood, she could see Uther standing on his balcony. She could only imagine how triumphant and proud of himself he was right now, looking down on them all. She couldn't stand it any longer…she wouldn't.

"Coward!" she shrieked.

The crowd turned and stared at her, some of them whispering, no doubt wondering why she was dressed in her undergarments.

"Coward!" she repeated, this time grabbing Uther's attention. She could see him squinting, trying to see who she was.

Morgana trembled, her voice growing louder. "Give the order for the flames to be put out at once and your life may be spared." She could see Merlin staring at her, his face full of confusion and pain. The flames continued to rise higher and higher.

Morgana waited for Uther to react…to do…something. Perhaps order the guards to arrest her for even daring to breathe such a threat. Surely he knew it was her…could recognize her voice. But when Uther turned his back on her and left to go back inside, she knew she had finally lost the battle. Where was Arthur…or even Gaius? She scanned the crowd but didn't see either one. It was then that she knew she was alone.

Panicking, Morgana thought of every spell possible that she knew of. She rattled off one that she had learned from the book, hoping it would put out the flame. She didn't care who saw her now. To her horror, the flames only rose higher, and the crowd gasped and turned back to gape at her.

"No…no…" she muttered, clutching her stomach and backing away from their fearful eyes. An uncontrollable panic seized her. She couldn't save him…she had only made it worse. Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit her, knocking her to her knees. Why was everything spinning around her? The flames…the smoke…it was everywhere.

"No!" she screamed, holding her head, trying to block everything out. "Make it stop!" She rocked back and forth as the spinning only increased. Glass shattered in the distance, but she couldn't even bring herself to open her eyes.

She had no idea when the spinning stopped, but suddenly, all was quiet. The ground felt damp and spongy beneath her. But no…that wasn't right...it should be hard and cold. She jerked upright and found herself, to her utter surprise, sitting on a floor of moss.

"What…" she trailed off, taking in her surroundings. She was in a forest, that much she knew. But how? She had just been in the courtyard…she was sure of it. The scent of smoke still clung heavily to her clothing. Yes, she had been there. There was no doubt about it now. But the question was, how had she gotten here when just seconds ago…or so she thought…she had been miles away?

Another wave of sadness overwhelmed her. Merlin. He was gone. So it didn't really matter where she was. Merlin was never coming back, so how could she return to Camelot? Besides, everyone knew the truth about her now. Nothing mattered anymore. Nothing.

She couldn't hold it back anymore. After sobbing uncontrollably for what felt like hours, Morgana curled up on the mossy floor and fell asleep, feeling more lost than she ever had before.

Things we lost to the flames
Things we'll never see again
All that we've amassed
Sits before us, shattered into ash

I was the match and you were the rock
Maybe we started this fire
We sat apart and watched
All we had burned on the pyre

Flames – they licked the walls
Tenderly they turned to dust all that I adore

~Things We Lost in the Fire by Bastille

Ok, well...now that you're all thoroughly depressed let me depress you even more. The story will end on a bit of a cliffhanger (again, this isn't the last chapter), but I'll be continuing it with another story...promise! My main goal in writing this story was to create more of a reason for Morgana to be so angry at Uther, and to also bring in the prophecies about her. I felt like she acted hateful for no reason later on (towards Arthur, Gwen, etc), and I know a lot of us felt that way too. This was a good way to give her a reason to want revenge on Uther. So...hopefully this seems believable to everyone!

Oh, and also (can't believe I forgot to mention this earlier) didn't anyone ever wonder how Morgana would just disappear? Like at the end of Seasons 3 and 4? And there was NO explanation for it? It bugged me to no end. Like, come ON writers. I felt like she probably lost control...especially with Morgause when the windows were all shattering, and my theory was that subconsciously she transported herself somewhere else to escape. Seriously, I really wish we got an explanation for that. So that's why I wanted to write a scene with her disappearing...and it's something that even she doesn't understand yet. When her powers get out of control, she transports herself somewhere else...or her magic does. Hope that makes sense. And yeah...hopefully you all have given up on me yet, lol.