Author's Note: I'm on a total Arthurian Legend kick right now. I've started re(rererere)watching Merlin. I just bought two books that had to do with Arthurian Legends (and own way too many more) and am going back to Hastings with a coupon to buy a John Steinbeck book on Arthur (I had no idea he'd written one!). I also broke down and watched Avalon High, this ... not horrible but not fantastic Disney Channel movie where all the characters are really characters from Camelot. (WEIRD ending. I laughed a lot.) Anyway. It's been a very Merliny day.

-56-

The next few days were filled with recovery and rebuilding. The city had sustained a lot of damage and the people of Camelot worked together to erase all signs of the dragon. Uther accepted that Arthur had killed the dragon, and the prince was a hero along his people. Only three people knew who had really dealt with the dragon, and they were keeping that to themselves.

The morning after Ryll had returned to Camelot, she awoke to find that she had fallen asleep next to Merlin in his room. They'd talked well into the afternoon until exhaustion had overtaken both of them. Neither had slept the night before. They'd slept through the afternoon and night without even noticing. Merlin's arm was wrapped around her waist, and she was curled up against his side. She'd had no nightmares for the first time in a long time. Merlin stirred as she sat up, blinking confusedly while sleep still held his mind. Then he smiled at her. "It seems a bit odd to just continue on with life when I told a dragon off a night ago."

"What's so abnormal about that?" she teased him.

"Sometimes I wonder what a normal day would feel like."

"Boring, I suspect." She yawned.

"I need to get up. Arthur is going to be furious." Merlin sat up suddenly, and Ryll stood, stretching her arms. It was just past dawn, and she realized she needed a long bath to sooth her weary muscles.

"The druids told me where I can find Morgause," she said suddenly. She had forgotten about this in the last few hours, but now it rushed back to her.

Merlin was pulling a clean shirt over his head. He looked slightly alarmed. "You're not going after her, are you?" he asked.

"Merlin, she has Morgana. I can't just forget about it."

"What if you speak to Arthur? You obviously can't tell him where you heard it, but he might speak to the king about sending out search parties. You could say you overheard something that Morgause said."

"Do you think Uther would believe that?"

"I think he might be desperate enough to believe anything. He wants Morgana back."

"Alright," Ryll said.

Merlin looked surprised. "Alright? That's it? No argument?"

"I want to be on that search party," Ryll added. Merlin's face fell.

"Do we have to go through this again?" he asked, coming forward to stand in front of her. "Morgause is very powerful. And after what happened…"

"I won't let that happen again."

"I just worry."

"I know."

"But I also know that no one is going to change your mind. Morgana is your best friend. I know you'd do anything to help her." He smiled wistfully. "I would do the same for you."

"You won't have to, but that means a lot to me." She smiled at him, leaning up to kiss him. He kissed her back, relishing their last few minutes together before he had to tend to the prince. "I'll see you later. You'd better go before Arthur throws a fit," Ryll said when they broke apart.

They walked out together. Gaius was already in the infirmary tending the last of the wounded. Ryll checked to see if he needed any help before going off to her room to bathe. The hot water seemed to wash away the bad memories of the last few days. When she got out to dry, she turned her shoulder to see if the mark was still there. It was. The ink seemed to have grown darker. Now it shone clearly on her shoulder. She shuddered, pulling on a dress quickly so that she wouldn't have to look at it. There was a tap on her door, and Gwen came in when Ryll called out for her to enter.

"I was just wondering if you needed any help," Gwen said. "Since Morgana's…since she's not here, I have all this time on my hands. I don't quite know what to do with myself."

"I'd love some help," Ryll said. "I was hoping to seek an audience with Uther today in regards to Morgana. I think I know where Morgause might have taken her – an anonymous tip. I think he should send out search parties, and I want to be on one."

"Do you think Uther would allow that?"

"I'm an excellent tracker." But would he allow her to come? That was to be determined.

"What can I do to help?"

"Well maybe you could put in a good word with Arthur for me? But for starters, could you help me pin my hair? I want to actually look like a lady today."

Gwen smiled and came forward to pin Ryll's hair. "Of course." She twisted it to the side and braided it so that it hung down over the front of Ryll's shoulder. Ryll had put on one of her better dresses – a golden one Morgana had had made for her that complemented her hair. It hurt to think about her friend. Whatever it took – even if she had to go against Uther – Ryll was going to find Morgana and bring her home. For a moment an unbidden thought flickered through her mind. What if Morgana didn't want to come back? What if she was glad to be rid of Uther? Morgause clearly cared for her. There was a sisterly bond that had sprung up at their meeting. Morgause could teach her the ways of magic, help Morgana learn to control and use her power. She wouldn't have to be afraid anymore.

Ryll shook the thought from her head. She couldn't just lose her friend. But if Morgana did not want to come home, if that was her wish, then Ryll would not force her. And that was part of her motive for wanting to come with the search party. The knights would not hesitate to kill Morgause to reclaim the king's ward. Ryll wanted to know exactly what Morgana wanted.

"There." Gwen finished with Ryll's hair. "I'll put in a good word with Arthur, and he can get you an audience with the king. I'll speak with him now."

"Thank you, Gwen." Ryll smiled up at her.

"We all want Morgana back," Gwen replied.

"Yes, we do."

"Do you think…" Gwen hesitated. "Do you think there's a chance she's still alive?"

Ryll turned around and took Gwen's hands in hers. "I know she's alive," she said. "Morgause had no reason to kill her. There's a bond between them. I'm not sure why or how it came about, but I don't think Morgause would kill her. She might try to turn her against Uther though."

"Then we must hope we get to her first." Gwen smiled and left. Ryll watched her go, admiring the ever-present poise Gwen carried with her. No wonder Arthur had fallen for her. She was kind-hearted, brave, and did not hesitate to speak up for what was right. Arthur needed someone like that in his life. If only tradition did not make their love impossible. Gwen had about as good a chance as marrying Arthur as Ryll had of becoming a knight of Camelot. She'd have to talk to Arthur about that when he was king.

She went the extra mile and put earrings in – a dangly pair with orange beads. Morgana had given them to her. Yet another thing to remind her of her missing friend. She looked in the mirror and noticed with surprise that she actually looked like a lady today. She gave Gwen a few minutes to speak with Arthur and then headed for his room. As she reached out to tap on the door, Merlin opened it, coming out with a pile of Arthur's dirty laundry. He stopped short when he saw her. His mouth opened slightly and he stared.

"Er, yes, I know. I look like a girl today," Ryll said, blushing slightly. Why did she suddenly feel so self-conscious? She felt much safer in pants and with a sword at her side.

"You look amazing," he said. "I mean, not that you don't always look amazing, but you look especially amazing-"

"Merlin, quit flirting and let her in," Arthur's voice came from within his chambers.

Merlin flushed, pushing the door open and standing back so that Ryll could enter. She smiled at him before entering the room. Arthur stood with Gwen who quickly bowed and left the room.

"You can go now, Merlin," Arthur said. Merlin, who was still standing in the doorway, nodded, making a hasty retreat and dropping half the pile of clothes in the process. Arthur rolled his eyes.

He turned to Ryll. "So you two are actually…" he fluttered his hand about, looking for a word for it, "together?"

"Yes, I suppose that's how one might put it."

Arthur gave her a confused look. "Like more than just friends?"

"Well, we've kissed," Ryll offered, shrugging.

Arthur looked torn between horror and thoughtfulness. "Anyway, that's not why you're here. Gwen tells me that you know something about Morgana's location and that you want to join any search party that goes there."

"Yes."

"And how, may I ask, did you come by this information?"

"An anonymous tip. I dare say your father wouldn't approve of the source, but I have it on very good authority. You know how much I care about Morgana. I wouldn't lie about this or trust the wrong people."

"And you wish to seek an audience with my father about this?"

"Yes. If he'll grant it."

"Normally you would just walk in and ask him. Why the formality?" Arthur asked.

Ryll paused to consider this. "Maybe I'm just learning my place," she replied. "And I really want this. I don't want to make a mistake and have your father turn against me or deny me a place on the search party."

"You do know that usually only knights go on such missions."

"I'm not asking to become a knight – at least not right now – I just want to find my friend."

Arthur considered this. "We all do. Alright. I'll speak with him. Come with me and wait outside. I'll tell you his answer."

"And if he refuses?"

"He's desperate to find Morgana. He'll hear you out. I'm just not sure he'll allow you on the search party. But I'm not convinced that'd stop you." He gave her a wary look.

"I'll do what I have to," Ryll told him. "But I'd rather his approval."

"Very well. Let's go down."

Ryll followed Arthur down to the council chambers, finding that she was nervous. She would go no matter what Uther said, but she wanted his approval on this. She knew he still didn't trust her after the whole tournament affair and the wraith, and she wanted to prove herself worthy in his eyes. Despite her distain for his hatred of magic, she didn't want to be on his bad side. Maybe if she could find something redeeming about him, she could convince Morgana that he wasn't all bad. Then again, who was she to judge this? Morgana's hatred had stemmed from many bad experiences over the last few years. Perhaps it was too late.

"Wait here," Arthur told her. "I'll speak with him."

"Thank you, Arthur," Ryll said. "I appreciate you doing this."

"I'm glad you decided to tell him," Arthur said. "You could have just gone off on your own without telling anyone of her possible whereabouts, but you didn't."

"Maybe I'm tired of running off on my own without seeking advice first. It hurts the people I care about."

"You have changed," Arthur said, approval in his voice. "I like this new Ryll. She's much better knight material than the old Ryll."

Ryll beamed at this. Arthur entered the room, and Ryll waited outside, trying to calm her nerves. He was only gone a moment before the doors opened again and he motioned her in. Uther was seated on his throne. He stood when Ryll entered.

"Arthur tells me you have news of Morgana. A possible location?" He looked eager.

"Yes, Sire. I have information from a reliable source that says Morgause was last seen in the White Mountains. There are some ruins there. She may not still be there, but it's a start."

"And this source?"

"Anonymous. They wished to keep themselves unknown for reasons of personal safety, but I can assure you that they are entirely trustworthy. They only seek to help." Uther seemed to consider this for a moment. "I know that I've made mistakes in the past, my Lord, and you've shown me clemency that I've striven to deserve. I promise you that finding Morgana is all that matters to me right now. I want to prove to you that I am loyal to Camelot and that everything I've done in the past was to help the kingdom and my friends. I wish to join the search party that goes here, if it is your wish to send a party to the White Mountains." She lowered her eyes modestly as Uther thought her words over.

"I will send a search party to the mountains. I know that you were close – are close to Morgana and would not lie about this."

"And will you let me join the party, Sire?"

"I know you can handle a sword and a bow," Uther said. "But you are not a knight of Camelot."

"But I'm loyal to Camelot. Please. I'm a skilled tracker. I can see things others don't in the forest."

"She's right, father. If anyone can track Morgana, it's her," Arthur put in.

"I will consider this," Uther said at last. "We need all the help we can get."

"That's all I ask. Thank you, Sire," Ryll said, bowing again. She turned to leave, unsure if she had succeeded or not. She ran straight into Merlin when she left the hall. "Sorry- oh." She looked up at him.

"Sorry, I just wanted to know how it went," he said, steadying her. They walked together down the hall, and Ryll told him what Uther had said. "Well, that's good then. He didn't say no."

"Not yet."

"He has to see that you're his best option for finding Morgana."

"I hope so. I'm not just exaggerating my tracking skills. I've learned to survive in the wild. I can see signs that no one else can."

"I believe you."

Ryll sighed. "I just hope he doesn't say no just because we aren't on the best terms."

"He lifted your banishment."

"For Morgana."

"Exactly. He'll do anything to get her back. He has to see what a help you'd be."

"I hope so." Ryll smiled up at Merlin. "You always know how to cheer me up," she said, taking his hand and squeezing it. "Oh, so just so you know, Arthur knows about us now."

Merlin stopped short. "He what?" he asked, looking horrified.

"He figured it out. I guess we acted like we cared about each other a little too much," she teased. "I should have bossed you around more."

"Is he alright with this?"

"Do we need his approval?" Ryll asked, lifting a brow.

"I don't know. I've never really…" he broke off.

"Never really what?" Ryll asked curiously.

"Been in love before," he said quickly. "I just…never mind."

Ryll grinned at his sheepishness. "Me neither," she admitted.

"Then you weren't in love with Arthur?" he asked, grinning back at her.

"What? Oh, I'd almost forgotten we'd even…well, whatever it was. No, I wasn't in love with him. But he wasn't a bad kisser," she said contemplatively.

"Okay, this is getting awkward."

"It really is."

They laughed. Then Merlin grew serious again. "I'm coming with you if you go," he said. "I'm not just sitting around worrying about you again."

"You were worried? How sweet."

"I mean it."

"I know you do. I feel safer already knowing you'd be there. Now I just need to wait to see if Uther wants me there."