Author's Note: Sorry for such a long wait. I've been picking up more hours at my job and taking on more sub jobs and applying for a teaching position, so things have been a little hectic. I just have to keep thinking about the macbook pro I'm saving for. Don't get me wrong, this little macbook I've written everything on is incredible, but it's a wee bit outdated and five years old. The internet browser crashes everyday and nothing can be updated anymore. And then I have bootcamp (meaning I can also have Windows) and Windows XP isn't supported anymore. Basically my computer will probably one day belong in a museum. But I love it. But I also digress. A lot. Anyway, things are starting to heat up a little. Ryll doesn't quite know who to be mad at and who to try to save. I'm going to get back to my own little original plots. I've been following the show too much. I've got a few little mini-adventures planned. I'm excited. I hope you are too. I'd love to hear from you guys! I'm not looking for critiques because I write this solely for fun, but I'd love to start hearing your guys' reactions. Thank you a million times over for all of the favorites and watches! Forbidden Magic, Unbidden Love is now my most favorited and watched story, and that means a ton to me! I absolutely love writing in it, and it makes me overjoyed to know that there are people who are enjoying reading it. On that note, here is - finally - another chapter.

-67-

Merlin watched as Morgause paced before him. He was on his knees in the forest, silver chain magically tightened around his body. He glared at the sorceress. She was intrigued by him, she had told him as much. Why would he go to so much effort to protect Arthur? He was just a servant boy. What was in it for him?

"I know what you did to Ryll," Merlin told her now.

She looked surprised. "That's right, Morgana told me about your feelings for her. She also told me that Ryll had fallen under my enchantment. Perhaps she shouldn't have tried to turn against Morgana."

"She was trying to protect her friends."

"She betrayed Morgana."

"Morgana changed. She doesn't seem to care who gets hurt as long as Uther dies."

"Uther has darkened this kingdom long enough. If you believe in a fair and just land then you should be able to see this."

"Uther won't be king forever."

"No, he won't. Especially after Cenred's army arrives."

"Will you lift your enchantment on Ryll like you promised Morgana?" Merlin asked.

"You are not in a position to make requests," Morgana said, drawing herself up.

"Please. She has done nothing wrong."

"She tried to betray us."

"She never gave you her word that she was on your side!" Merlin shouted. "She doesn't deserve to die because she was trying to do the right thing."

"She means a great deal to Morgana as well," Morgause said. "I will lift the enchantment when Cenred's men take over the city. But I do this for Morgana, not you."

"No, do it now!" Merlin yelled. The chains tightened as he struggled against them.

Morgause's eyes flashed. "Hold your tongue," she said. "You do not give me orders. I will heal her if I feel like it and only after we take the city. I do not forget betrayals nor do I forgive them."

"Morgana would forgive her."

"Perhaps so. My sister has a weak spot for her friend. Even if I do heal her, you won't be around to see it." She recited a spell, eyes flashing amber, and the chains began to tighten. "I did not forget that you poisoned my sister," she told him. "You will regret that." She turned on her heel and left him kneeling there, unable to move as the chains slowly tightened around his body.

…

Ryll was feverish again, dreaming and writhing around in her sleep. She could see Merlin kneeling in a clearing. Chains bound his body and seemed to be getting tighter by the second. His eyes flashed amber as he tried a spell to release his bonds. He cried out in pain as the chains tightened more. He tried another spell but nothing seemed to be working. Then he paused, looking around him. A sort of hissing sound could be heard and then a great black body stepped out of the undergrowth. It was a giant scorpion and more followed. Ryll tried to call out to Merlin. She couldn't tell her nightmares from visions anymore. They all ran together. She felt something cold dripping into her throat and felt herself slipping deeper into unconsciousness. The vision of Merlin blurred and faded, and she was left not knowing his fate.

…

"How is she?" Ryll heard a voice above her, clear and familiar. She stirred. For once her body was not wracked with pain, and her fever was gone. She tried to open her eyes, but it was as if she had no control over her eyelids.

"She's recovering," another voice replied. Another familiar voice. "It's a good thing that you convinced Morgana to have her saved. Another few days, and she would have died."

Ryll felt a stab of fear. She had almost died? Her memories were slowly coming back. She remembered meeting Morgana in the woods and then Morgause putting a spell over her. She remembered following Morgana into the forest and seeing the mandrakes. She remembered seeing Merlin constricted by silver chain and surrounded by terrible beasts. At this her eyes shot open.

"Ryll!" Merlin's voice called out. She looked around her, disoriented for a moment. Merlin was sitting by her side, looking relieved. Gaius stood next to him. "I thought I'd lost you."

"You're not hurt," she croaked, her voice harsh and her throat dry. "I was dreaming about you. You were bound in chains and Morgause wanted you to die. I saw the scorpions and then nothing."

"I'm alright," Merlin told her. "You missed a lot. You were out for nearly a week and then it took you four days to recover after Morgause healed you."

"I thought she wanted me to die," Ryll said, confused.

"I convinced Morgana to ask Morgause to save you. Morgana didn't realized you might die when Morgause first cursed you."

"I heard her speaking to me," Ryll said. "When I was ill. In one of my dreams, she and Morgause were speaking of Cenred's army overtaking Camelot. I assume that didn't happen as we're all still alive."

"There was a battle," Merlin told her. "But we won."

"And Morgana?"

"Not happy. She knows that I know she's against Uther now. I'm a danger to her."

"How could she just turn her back on us? On you? You were her friend too. Did she really forget that?"

"She's changed," Merlin said unhappily. "And not for the better. I'm afraid she won't stop until Uther is dead."

"I can speak with her. Try to make her see sense," Ryll suggested.

"That didn't work last time. Last time you ended up nearly dead." Merlin's eyes showed his pain. "I can't go through that again."

"Does she know I have my memories back?" Ryll asked.

"I don't think so." Merlin hesitated as if he wanted to ask her something.

"What is it, Merlin?" she asked.

Merlin glanced at Gaius. "Gaius and I were discussing a plan to keep an eye on Morgana."

"And?"

"And who better to spy on her than her best friend?" His words were met by silence.

"You want me to spy on her?" Ryll asked, trying to process his request.

"Morgana doesn't know you have your memories back. I think Morgause tried to wipe them again, but I made sure that didn't work. If you pretend you really don't remember anything…"

"Then I can play innocent and get into her good graces again," Ryll finished.

"You don't have to," Merlin said hastily. "She's your friend. I know you'd hate to lie to her."

"She's changed," Ryll said. "I can't trust her anymore." She thought for a moment. "I'll do it," she said finally. "I'll spy on her. I'll pretend I have no idea she's working with Morgause against Uther."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." She wasn't sure, not really, but if this was what it took to keep her friends safe. Perhaps she could think of a way to save Morgana too. If she wasn't already beyond saving. "Morgause has changed her, and I mean to save her," she said levelly. She felt angry, she realized. Angry because Morgause had come out of nowhere and had claimed Morgana as her sister. She'd taken her away from Ryll and changed her into a cruel and dangerous person. No one did that to Ryll's friends. She clenched her fists, but did not speak this out loud. Merlin seemed to notice the change in her because his eyes gave away his worry, but he didn't question her again. He simply nodded.

"I'm going to talk to her," Ryll deliberated.

"You should know something before you go," Merlin told her. "During the battle, Morgana raised an army of the dead to help defeat Camelot. I stopped her, but she tried to kill me."

Ryll felt the blood drain from her face. Trying to kill Uther was one thing, but trying to kill Merlin… There was a time when Morgana had counted him as a friend, an ally. He'd helped her save the druid boy, and she'd come with him to save his hometown of Ealdor. That's what friends did. How could she have just forgotten that? She stood, shakily, and headed for the door. Merlin caught her arm.

"You should rest. You're still weak."

"I'm fine," Ryll said tersely.

"You're upset. Morgana will see something is wrong." Ryll knew Merlin was right. She noticed that Gaius had left them alone.

"She tried to kill you, Merlin. She and Morgause. That's not alright." She looked up into Merlin's bright blue eyes. "I couldn't lose you," she said. "Their betrayal is unforgivable."

"A moment ago you wanted to save Morgana," Merlin reminded her.

Ryll shut her eyes, knowing that he was right. No matter what she did, Ryll would not turn her into an enemy. But she had tried to kill Merlin… Ryll felt Merlin's hand on her cheek.

"Hey," he said softly. "Look at me. I'm right here. I'm alright."

She couldn't look at him though. She just sunk into his arms, and he held her close. "I can't lose you," she repeated, forgetting for a moment that he had magic. He was more than capable of protecting himself though she had seen little of his magic. He didn't use it around her as if using it would remind her of her own powers she didn't want.

She took a deep breath and steadied herself. "I'm alright now," she said, finally meeting his eyes. "I'm going to take a bath and make myself presentable and then I'm going to see Morgana. I'm going to pretend that I don't remember anything and that you told me nothing."

"You know there's a chance she won't change, right? She might try to turn you against me."

"I know," Ryll said. She wouldn't have believed it before, but now… She wasn't sure she could save Morgana. She shook that thought away. She wasn't giving up just yet. Not when she hadn't yet tried.

"Be careful," he told her before pulling away from her. She nodded, giving him a smile. "The court and Uther think Morgana saved the city. He thinks she defeated the sorcerer and broke the spell that brought the dead to life."

"I'll pretend like that's the version of the story I know," Ryll said tightly. "Thank you for saving my life," she said before leaving. "I know how close it was. I thought I was lost."

"You know I'd do anything to save you," Merlin told her.

"I know. I'd do the same for you," she said.

…

Ryll stood before Morgana's door, freshly bathed and dressed. She hesitated before knocking. The ill feeling that had crept into her heart after hearing Merlin's account of what had happened had not left. It had worked its way into her guts like a sort of dread that wouldn't seem to go away. She pushed the feeling aside and knocked. There was a rustling from within and then Morgana opened the door. Her eyes widened at the sight of Ryll, and Ryll didn't miss the alarm behind them though Morgana had asked Morgause to save her.

"Ryll!" she said, and Ryll couldn't tell if her excitement was feigned or not. That she couldn't tell which hardened her heart a little more. "I'm so glad you're well again."

"I'm not sure what happened," Ryll said, frowning slightly. "I just remember collapsing in front of Merlin – I'm not even sure what happened before that – then it was all black. I just woke up an hour ago. Merlin said I'd been ill and that Gaius had come up with remedy that cured me. The last thing I clearly remember was being so excited that you were home safe."

Was it her imagination or had Morgana started looking relieved? Her friend smiled genuinely. "I'm so glad you're well," she said, pulling Ryll into an embrace. "You did miss some excitement. Did Merlin tell you anything about the battle?" she asked, voice tight. When she pulled away, Ryll could see a flicker of coldness in her hazel eyes.

"Just that Cenred's army attacked the city but that we won. He told me that you saved the city with your quick thinking. Something about a rogue sorcerer bringing the dead to life? You're so brave, Morgana. Even after all you went through, you still risk your life to save the city." She smiled at her friend who smiled back.

"It was frightening, I'll admit," Morgana told her. "But I couldn't let Cenred win. We have a king of Camelot. The city isn't for taking whatever Cenred might believe."

The way she told lies so easily broke Ryll's heart, but then again, she was lying through her teeth too. "I'm just glad you're safe," she told Morgana. "We should take a ride tomorrow. We can bring some guards just in case. We deserve some fun."

Morgana smiled. "I think that's a wonderful idea," she said. "We could bring a lunch and have a picnic in the forest."

Ryll stiffened at the mention of the forest, but Morgana didn't seem to notice. "I look forward to it," she said.

"You should rest now," Morgana told her.

Ryll smiled grimly. "I've been sleeping for too long," she replied. "I think I'll take a walk through the lower town to clear my head."

"Do you want any company?" Morgana asked.

"That's alright," Ryll said. "I think I'd just like to be alone for a little while. I'm afraid my mind is still a little muddled. I wouldn't be good company."

"You're always good company, but I'll give you your space," Morgana said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Ryll smiled at her before turning away. She waited until she was around the corner before letting her smile fade. She leaned against the wall realizing just how hard it was going to be to lie to Morgana and listen to her lies in turn. It was like playing a game of façades. Ryll took another long minute to steady her breathing. A year ago she would have given anything to get her best friend back and now she almost wished that Morgana was still gone. It would have been so much easier if she had just stayed with Morgause. If they had never come back to Camelot. Was vengeance really that important? Was it really worth starting a war and hurting friends along the way? There was a time Ryll might have done the same thing. She had lost her parents and had suffered at the hands of many people, but in the end, she had found ways of resisting and moving on. It did no good to dwell in the past. Vengeance led to hurt and betrayal. In the end it wasn't worth it.