Author's Note: Usually I try to avoid quoting directly from the show, but some scenes and events just need to happen in order to move the story forward, so I apologize in advance for any unoriginality on my part in some of these scenes. I always try to put a different twist on it and show the characters' thoughts as we can't see them in the show. Thank you for reading!

-47-

Over the next few weeks, Ryll took to practicing her elemental magic every day. She started to feel a sense of control. As Merlin had told her, she controlled the magic, it did not control her. She could concentrate on a certain action and it would happen. She had no interest in using her power for destruction, and so she worked on keeping it under control. Merlin would come with her sometimes, but Arthur was keeping him busy, and so Ryll spent most of her time by herself. She wished she could bring Morgana with her, but Morgana was growing increasingly warier and Ryll didn't think she'd want to risk exposing herself like that. The more time Ryll spent practicing her magic, the more stifled she felt in the castle. She found herself spending more and more time away from it, keeping to the woods with only Owl for company.

Somehow spending so much time alone caused Ryll to contemplate her fate further. She had been having the same nightmare for the last few nights, always the same. She decided that it was a sign and that she was dreaming about it for a reason. She could change what happened. She wouldn't need to die. Arthur and Morgana would live too. It became a sort of obsession with her and she started researching fore dreams and visions. There was very little information in the library, but she managed to find a few texts that mentioned such things. The references were vague, however, and she did not learn anything new. She wanted to speak to Morgana, but she did not want to upset her. The subject came up, however, when Ryll mentioned the new bracelet she saw Morgana wearing. She didn't seem to ever take it off, and Ryll wondered how she had come by it.

When she asked, Morgana had told her about Morgause, the woman who had come to the castle to challenge Arthur to a duel. "Uther tried to stop the fight from happening," Morgana told her, "but there was no rule that said a woman could not challenge a man. Arthur faced her and lost, but Morgause spared him."

"She must have been quite the swordswoman to best Arthur," Ryll said. She wished she had seen this. "And all this happened when I was gone?" She'd clearly missed a lot.

"It was an exciting few weeks," Morgana said. "She gave me this bracelet and said it would help me sleep. It belonged to her mother. It works better than anything I've tried before. I haven't had a nightmare since I started wearing it."

"You're lucky," Ryll said.

"You've been having nightmares again?" Morgana asked, looking sympathetic.

Ryll nodded. "The same one over and over… I don't know if it's real or not but I plan to change it. I won't let it happen."

"Maybe we can have a bracelet made for you," Morgana suggested.

Ryll smiled. "It's alright," she said. "Maybe I need to have this dream so that I can change it."

"It's a heavy burden," Morgana said. "I know just what you're going through. I wish I had a way to help you."

"Just be careful," Ryll said to her. "I wouldn't know what to do if anything happened to you."

"I will, of course I will." Morgana took Ryll's hand and squeezed it. "We'll stick together," she said.

…

Ryll met Merlin on the way down to the stables that morning. "Someone has come with news for Uther," he said. "The council had been summoned."

"What's happened?"

"I'm not sure. I guess we'll find out."

They entered the council chambers, Merlin joining Gaius. Ryll stood at his side, peering at the man who stood before Uther curiously. He looked like a farmer or something of the sort.

"I'm a herder from the northern plains, Sire. Three nights back, we were camped beneath the walls of Idirsholas," the man started his story. Uther looked at him with disinterest.

"Not sure I would have chosen such a place," he said, an amused smile touching his lips.

Ryll nearly snorted. She couldn't imagine Uther camping anywhere.

The man shifted his weight to his other foot, looking nervous. "Good pasture is scarce at this time of year, Sire," he told Uther in way of explanation.

"And what is it you have to tell me?" Uther asked impatiently.

"While we were there we saw smoke rising from the citadel," Joseph said.

Ryll frowned. She'd never heard of Idirsholas before, but news of seeing smoke rising from the citadel didn't seem that odd to her. Clearly someone was camping within the city. Gaius and Uther looked worried suddenly though.

"And did you see anything else?" Gaius spoke up.

The man shook his head. "No."

"Did you go inside?" Uther asked, sitting up straighter. Clearly the man had finally piqued his interest.

"No. Nobody has stepped over that threshold for 300 years! You must know the legend, Sire."

Ryll frowned. She had not heard this legend, but she didn't have long to wait. Gaius spoke up. "When the fires of Idirsholas burn, the knights of Medhir will ride again."

"See to it this man is fed and has a bed for the night," Uther told the knights, dismissing the man. He turned to Arthur. "Take a ride out there."

"Why?" Arthur asked. Clearly the legend did not have the same effect on him as it did Uther and Gaius.

"So we can put people's minds at rest," Uther told him.

"Surely this is superstitious nonsense?" Arthur said, looking unconvinced.

"Gather the guard and do as I say," Uther told him, his voice stern.

"Are you going?" Ryll asked Merlin.

"I'm sure I am," Merlin said.

"I want to come to."

"You'll have to ask Arthur," Merlin said. "It could be dangerous."

Ryll gave him a look. "And when has that ever stopped me?"

She caught up to Arthur as he left the room. "Arthur, can I come?" she asked, jumping straight to the point. He looked down at her with an amused expression.

"Can't bear to sit still and wait?" he asked. "This is probably nothing. You'll be bored."

"I will not," Ryll insisted. "I want to come. If there is some danger there then you'll need my help."

"Will I?"

"Arthur don't pretend you don't know how good I am with a sword," Ryll snapped.

"You're not a knight. I see no reason for you to come," he told her.

"Merlin's coming."

"Yes, he's my servant, he comes everywhere with me."

"But he can't handle a sword," Ryll pointed out. "I can be your servant's personal body guard."

Arthur stopped walking, casting her an amused if not slightly exasperated look. "I can see that nothing I say will convince you to stay here. Fine. Be ready to leave in half an hour."

"Thank you, Arthur," Ryll said, grinning at him before running off to retrieve her sword and change out of her dress.

She dressed in her usual riding clothes and grabbed her sword and bow. She made a detour to the armory and found some lightweight chainmail that she pulled over her head. Better safe than sorry. She put her cloak over her shoulders and then her quiver. The chainmail weighed her down slightly, but she was strong and didn't think it would slow her down in battle. She saddled Owl and was ready and waiting when Arthur and the guard joined her in the courtyard. Merlin mounted his usual black horse, riding next to her as they followed Arthur out of the city.

"So what exactly is the legend of this city?" Ryll asked him.

"According to Gaius, 300 years ago, seven knights of Camelot succumbed to a sorcerer's power and rode around the land causing destruction and death. Only after the sorcerer was killed did the knights of Medhir stop. He thinks that someone has awakened them again."

"Who would do that?"

"Take your pick. Uther doesn't exactly have a lot of friends."

Ryll's thoughts went to the Sidhe elder's words about the dark sorceress. "Merlin, will you tell me more about the woman who came to Camelot? Morgause?"

Merlin looked surprised. "How do you know about her?" he asked.

"Morgana mentioned her. Morgause gave her a bracelet that keeps her nightmares away."

"Did she tell you about her duel with Arthur."

"Yes. She said she spared his life."

"She spared his life because he promised to come to her three days after the duel and fulfill whatever challenge she issued."

"And did he?"

"Yes. He proved himself a man of honor by keeping his word, and she did not kill him. Instead she granted him a wish and showed him his mother."

"His mother? I thought she died in childbirth."

"She did. Morgause summoned her and Arthur was able to speak with her."

"How wonderful."

"Maybe." Ryll could tell there was more to the story.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Ygraine told Arthur that his birth was only possible through magic. Uther made a deal and because of it Arthur was born and Ygraine died."

"Really? Do you believe that?"

"I'm not sure. Morgause was a powerful sorceress. She could have been trying to turn him against Uther."

"And did she?"

"Yes. Arthur nearly killed Uther after that. Finally I convinced him that Morgause was lying and he believed me. I'm not so sure she was though. It makes sense that Uther's hatred for magic comes from his own mistake. Well, Arthur was born, that was no mistake, but Uther traded his mother's life so that he could be born. Now he persecutes anyone he finds practicing magic."

"It's hypocritical."

"It is. But I don't want to see Arthur set against Uther like that again. I really thought he was going to kill his father."

"Merlin, what if Morgause is the one who awakened the knights of Medhir? Even if what the ghost of Ygraine told Arthur was true, it would have set Arthur against Uther. And if it was false, well, you saw the way he reacted. Perhaps the idea behind it was to have Arthur kill his father. Camelot would have been very vulnerable if that had happened. Arthur never would have forgiven himself and the kingdom would have been weak. It does matter if Morgause was telling the truth or not, either way Arthur would have tried to kill Uther. Maybe because he failed, she's trying something else."

"Why would Morgause want Uther dead though?"

"I suppose for the same reason everyone else does."

"Don't let Arthur hear you say that."

"Well, he hasn't exactly made himself popular with many people. He underestimates the power of those with magic. If Morgause is as powerful as she seems, then she could be a real threat to Uther and Camelot."

"Morgana seemed to form a bond with her. She thought she knew Morgause from somewhere."

"And did she?"

"I don't think so."

"The bracelet Morgause gave her helped take her nightmares away. That was no ill-intention."

"Well let's just hope when we get to Idirsholas, we find that it was just a false alarm."

"I hope so."

…

Morgana noticed a box sitting on her windowsill. She moved forward and opened it, wondering who would have left such a thing. She pulled a tiny scroll out and untied it quickly, reading the words.

My dearest Morgana,

Meet me tonight after sundown in the forest outside the castle gates. I will leave signs for you to follow. Look for the marked and distinctive signs.

Until then keep this meeting to yourself.

Your friend Morgause

"Are you alright?" Gwen asked from behind her. Morgana quickly crumpled the note and turned to smile at her maid.

"Just a little cold," she said.

"Do you need something warmer?" Gwen offered. Morgana knew she was only trying to be helpful, but she wished she would leave.

"No, thank you," she said, keeping her voice calm. Gwen smiled and left. Morgana watched her go, hoping she didn't suspect anything. It was just as well that no one knew about her connection with Morgause. She knew Arthur and Uther believed her to be a dangerous sorceress, but Morgause had shown Morgana nothing but kindness. She touched the bracelet Morgause had given her. Without it, she knew her nightmares would still be afflicting her. Somehow she knew that going to meet Morgause would also come with making a decision. It was time for her to choose a side: Uther's or Morgause's. She knew what was at risk and what she would be giving up if she went against Uther, but her mind was already made up. She was ready to do anything to fight for her freedom.

…

Morgana pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and slipped out of the castle gates, heading straight into the woods. She hesitated for a moment and then saw a symbol glowing from one of the tree trunks. She followed the symbols until they led her to a small clearing. She stood waiting in the dark, trying not to feel unnerved. Then she sensed a presence and turned around to find Morgause waiting for her. She felt joy at seeing her friend. She felt a strong connection to her, feeling as if they'd somehow already met before.

"You look well," Morgause said to her with a smile.

"Thanks to you," Morgana said, touching the bracelet. "I wear it all the time. I can't remember when I last had a bad dream."

"But you do not seem happy. Why is that?" Morgause asked.

"I would be if I didn't have to pretend," Morgana said bitterly. She knew Morgause would understand.

"Pretend?" Morgause echoed.

"That I'm Uther's loving ward when I hate him," Morgana said, tasting the bitterness of her words. Even the thought of him was vile.

"Have you ever imagined a new world, Morgana? One where Uther was no more?" Morgause asked.

"Sometimes," Morgana replied. She'd thought about it often lately. What her life would be like if Uther was no more. She wouldn't have to live in fear or at least she wouldn't have to pretend that she cared for him. The charade was beginning to wear on her.

"And is that what you'd like?" Morgause asked. Somehow when she said it, the thought of Uther gone did not seem so impossible. There was power behind her words, and Morgana did not doubt that Morgause could see it done.

"I once had the chance to be his assassin," Morgana said. She had never told anyone this before.

"And what stopped you?" Morgause asked.

"I don't know," Morgana said. "I believed he cared for me. But not anymore. He cares for no one." How different would her life be if she had not let that chance pass?

"So, you want Uther destroyed and his reign to end?" Morgause asked calmly as if they were simply discussing dinner arrangements and not the king's assassination.

"More than anything," Morgana said, realizing how true those words were. "But it doesn't matter what I want. The future's not of my making." She'd never been able to stop her visions from coming true before. She'd tried, but they had been out of her control.

"You are wrong, Morgana," Morgause said with feeling. "You underestimate your importance. The decisions you make now will change the shape of everything that is to come."

"What do you mean?" Morgana asked.

"Whose side are you on, Morgana? Are you with Uther? Or are you with me? Are you prepared to help me bring about his downfall?"

Morgana did not need to think about this. "I am," she replied steadily. She knew that there was no turning back now. She couldn't. Her hatred had grown too strong. She thought of Ryll's words to her, her warnings not to let her hatred control her. It was too late for that now though. The world would be a much better place without Uther Pendragon. Even Ryll could not deny that.

"I can't tell you how much it means to hear you say that," Morgause said with a smile. She put a hand to Morgana's face and her eyes glowed amber for a moment. Morgana fell unconscious, sliding into Morgause's grip.