Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait! I've been so a.d.d. lately. I have another chapter almost done though. It was going to be part of this chapter, but I had 13 pages, so I decided to break it up into two chapters. I'll try to finish that and post tomorrow! Thank you for the favorites and follows and any reviews! It means a lot to me that you're reading my story. There are only three chapters left in Part Four. I know I said I'd be done by the end of May, and that didn't work out so well, but I will finish up soon! Then I'll start scheming for Part Five which will be the last part. I'm cramming seasons four and five into one part, so we'll see how that goes. I'm trying to only include episodes that I basically can't ignore because they're so integral to the main plot. Then I will focus on finishing he sequel story which takes place in the 21st century. I have part one written as I think I mentioned before. I wrote 100 pages in like 3 days, I was so excited about it. But I haven't written anything since, so I need to work on that too. I'm hoping to be able to have most of it done before I start posting if not all of it so you don't have to wait for me to write it! I'll be able to post everyday!

-77-

Ryll found the druid camp easily enough. They weren't making much effort to stay hidden. Byron's overconfidence worried her. He was usually so careful, brash yes, but never careless. When she walked into the camp, weapons were drawn suddenly and hostile stares followed her. She pushed the hood from her head. The recognition in the druids' eyes did not replace the caution in their stances. They did lower their weapons, however, and Ryll was able to pass through the camp unharmed and unchallenged.

"Byron!" she called out.

At his name, the druid emerged from a tent at the center of the camp. His eyes hardened when he saw her. "I thought I told you to keep any intruders out," he told his people. No one replied, averting their eyes.

"So I'm an intruder now, is that it?" Ryll asked. "What happened to you, Byron? Is this all really over Theor's death?"

"This is about much more than avenging him and you know it. This is about making Uther pay for all the crimes he's done to my people during his reign. It's about making the world a safer place."

"This isn't the way to make the world a safer place," Ryll insisted. "People are going to die. This isn't the solution. If you kill Uther then Arthur will be forever turned against magic. I can't allow that. Arthur will be a great king, but he will not change if you give him more reason to hate magic."

"Arthur is not my concern."

"He will be if you kill his father. He'll avenge Uther. And I will not let you kill Arthur."

"You stand by the prince like a dog," Byron spat at her. Ryll took a step back, surprised at the vehemence in his voice.

"What's happened to you?" Ryll asked again. "I don't know you anymore."

"What happened is I grew up. It's time you did the same. I know what my purpose is now. Nothing you say will change my mind."

"Then I guess I'll just have to stop you myself," she said.

"You think yourself that powerful?" Byron asked, laughing. The druids were opening watching them now. Ryll could tell they were feeling uncomfortable with the situation.

"I've been practicing," Ryll told him. "I've finally embraced who I am."

"If you really have embraced who you are then you'll have no trouble fighting me on the field tomorrow. Show Arthur who you really are and what you can do."

"You know that's impossible."

"But if you're so sure your prince will change his mind, why won't you show him how well your magic can serve you?"

"He's not ready to know. Don't you dare tell my secret," Ryll hissed.

"Some alliance you have. Don't worry I'm not going to tell him your secret. He'll learn soon enough if you truly are on his side."

"Have you really forgotten our friendship, Byron? Why are we bickering like enemies?" Ryll pleaded with him. For a second his dark eyes softened, but then he frowned.

"You chose the wrong side, Ryll. I am sorry it had to come to this." He turned away. "Show Amaryllis to the edge of the forest," he said. Two druids holding spears gently took an arm and pulled Ryll away from Byron.

"Wait! If you won't listen, maybe your people will." She looked around at the faces seeing both fear and anger reflected in their eyes. "The druids are a peaceful people by nature. I know Theor held with that. Fighting Uther isn't going to win your freedom. You're going to end up dead or end up taking another human life. The peace that is won through war is imperfect because the sacrifices made along the way can sometimes be too great. There are other ways of attaining peace. I do believe that Arthur will one day accept magic, but not if he sees his father die at the hands of it. Camelot needs Arthur. He may have been raised by Uther, but he also knows his own mind. I didn't know Theor well, but I know he wouldn't have wanted this. He would have said that peace was gained through amity and patience."

"How long are we to wait?" Byron countered. "We've waited long enough. If we wait any longer there won't be any of us left to enjoy whatever peace we may gain."

Ryll wasn't sure what more could be said so she allowed herself to be escorted to the edge of the woods. The druids left her without a word. Ryll stood in the darkness for a long while, trying to think of some way to prevent this battle from happening. She just kept seeing Arthur and Byron dead on the battlefield, and she didn't know how to stop it. She fled back to the castle, slipping in the secret entrance and going in search of Merlin.

…

Morgana heard voices. They were faint as if coming from far away. She strained to listen wishing she could open her eyes to see who was speaking. Her eyes were glued shut though and her brain felt fuzzy.

"…you don't understand," came Uther's voice, this time stronger. "There's something you should know. Something I've told no one." He paused. "Morgana is my daughter."

Morgana's finger twitched and her eyes moved under her lids as her brain fought to survive. The words penetrated through the injury, and Morgana struggled to comprehend what Uther was telling Gaius.

"The people must never know who Morgana really is, for Arthur's sake." The voice grew faint, and Morgana slipped deeper into oblivion.

…

Ryll found Gaius and Merlin in the physician's quarters looking grim. "Where were you?" Merlin asked, his tone worried.

"I went to try to make Byron see reason."

"And did you?" Gaius asked.

Ryll shook her head. "He acts as if I'm his enemy now. He will not listen to me."

"What about the other druids?" Merlin asked. "Will they listen to reason?"

Again Ryll shook her head. "The druids seem completely behind him. I'm not sure how he got all of them to decide to fight. He wants me to challenge him in front of Arthur using magic."

"What?" Merlin looked aghast.

"He says that Arthur should accept my powers if he is truly my friend and ally. You and I both know it doesn't quite work like that though." Merlin and Gaius exchanged a look. "What?"

"Uther paid us a visit just a few minutes ago. He wanted Gaius to heal Morgana," Merlin said.

"Well he's trying, isn't he?" Ryll said with a frown. Was Uther threatening Gaius?

"No, I mean, he wanted Gaius to use any means possible including magic."

"What?" Ryll was astounded. She looked between Gaius and Merlin. "Uther wants you to use magic?"

"Any means necessary. He mentioned the Old Religion."

"But you're not, I mean, you don't practice magic."

"I did once. A long time ago. I gave up my ways when Uther became king," Gaius explained.

"I didn't realize that. I only wish Uther didn't persecute everyone else who uses magic otherwise I might applaud him. I know he cares for Morgana like a daughter, but this is unlike him."

"He doesn't just love Morgana like his daughter," Merlin said. "Morgana is his daughter."

Ryll stared at him. "Morgana is…"

"Uther's daughter by blood."

"How do you know that?"

"He told Gaius so."

Ryll sunk down onto the bench behind her, taking in what they were telling her. "So Morgana is Arthur's half-sister then. She's an heir to the throne by right."

"Arthur is Uther's heir, but Morgana would have a claim to the throne should anything happen to Arthur. If Uther ever declared her a secondary heir. He doesn't want anyone knowing."

"Why? Morgana of all people has a right to know. It's unfair to keep that from her. Her true lineage. I know she and Uther don't get on, but he's her father. That might change things."

"Or it might fuel her even more against him. She should never find out," Gaius said sternly

"I won't tell anyone, I swear," Ryll promised. "It would only get you in trouble, and I don't want that. So are you going to heal her?"

"I'm not sure I have the skill to." Gaius seemed reluctant and Ryll wondered if he wanted her healed. She looked at Merlin.

"I haven't decided what to do," he admitted. "I need a little more time."

Ryll remained silent. She'd said her peace earlier. She couldn't force Merlin to heal her. She had to respect his decision whatever it was.

"I'm afraid if we heal her right now she'll only help Byron kill Uther," Merlin said, voicing his fears.

"We don't know that."

"Don't we? They both want him dead. They're perfect allies."

Ryll wanted to defend Byron, but she knew Merlin was right. "We have till dawn to prepare for battle," she said. "I need to get ready. Just make up your mind before dawn." She left the physician's quarters, heading to the armory. She had to get away from tough decisions and death for awhile. She couldn't take losing any more friends. The fact that both had turned against her made it even more difficult. She found the armory empty at this hour and leaned her head against the cool brick of the wall. She knew she should try to get some sleep, but sleep would never come to her tonight. Instead she found a quiet spot to sit, resting her chin on her knees and setting her eyes to the window as she waited for dawn to arrive.

…

Merlin watched as the first light of dawn mixed with the night. The battle would be starting soon. Uther had no intention of giving himself up not that Merlin had thought for a second he would. He'd sent Arthur to meet them in the forest before dawn. He'd hardly considered them a threat, and right now his worries were bent on Morgana as she lay dying. Merlin had strapped Arthur into his gear just a few minutes ago. He'd told Arthur he was going to stay to tend Morgana, and Arthur had nodded, a silent thank you in his eyes. The prince had been worried about Morgana and frustrated that he had to go into battle when she could die at any moment. Merlin had caught a glimpse of him comforting Gwen earlier while tears ran down her face. Everyone was mourning Morgana as she struggled to survive. What he found was the hardest was watching their pain. All around him he saw the people he cared about suffer. Even Uther had broken down the night before when Merlin had brought him a draft to help him sleep. If Morgana really did die then it would break their hearts. He couldn't do that to Arthur or Gwen or Ryll. Even Uther. He thought of Ryll's words to him the night before. I don't see what there is to think about. The kind and loving Merlin I know wouldn't let someone like Morgana die no matter what she'd done. Was he really going to let Morgana die by his own hand even if he hadn't meant for it to be this way? If she died, Morgause would be enraged. There was no guarantee letting Morgana die would fix anything. Morgause might take her own revenge.

Making up his mind, Merlin turned away from Arthur's room, racing toward the physician's quarters. He nearly ran into two knights on his way. They called after him, asking where he was going in such a hurry, but he ignored them, running on. He hadn't seen Ryll all morning which concerned him, but he could understand if she wanted some space. He knew she could never agree with his decision if he chose to let Morgana die, but he realized that he wasn't going to do that – couldn't do that. He'd gone to Kilgharrah for advice, but the dragon had seemed keen as ever on Morgana dying. He'd also apparently always known that Morgana was Uther's daughter but had failed to mention that. It didn't change anything in his eyes. Merlin wanted to think there was another option other than killing Morgana though.

He flung open the doors to the physician's quarters and found Gwen sitting by Morgana's side. "Merlin," she said, turning to look at him. There were tears in her eyes, and she clutched a handkerchief.

"I'll sit with her," Merlin told Gwen. "Why don't you go and get some sleep? You must be exhausted." She looked exhausted. She hadn't slept the night before, he was sure. Neither had he, but the pent up energy in him kept him going.

"If she wakes up..."

"I'll call you," he assured her.

"Thank you." Gwen took one last look at Morgana and left the room. Merlin waited until she had shut the door and turned to Morgana. He took a deep breath before beginning his enchantment. He held his hand over Morgana's head and began to speak.

"Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare mid þam sundorcræftas þære ealdaþ æ!" As he spoke the color in Morgana's cheeks began to return and her breathing deepened. She didn't wake, but he could tell the spell had worked. He had saved Morgana's life for better or for worse.

…

Ryll had dressed well before dawn, leaving the armory before the knights arrived. She strode out of the castle and to the stables picking out a black warhorse. She was dressed in a black cloak and knight's helmet that hid her appearance. As she mounted the destrier she felt every bit the knight she wanted to be. She was going to meet Byron before Arthur's army arrived. She was going to take him on alone. It would save lives in the end. If she could triumph then maybe the druids would listen to her. She left by the city gates. No one tried to stop her. She kept her horse at a gallop as she breached the woods and kept riding until she saw the line of druids ahead where the trees thinned. She halted her horse, and he threw up his head, snorting and sending out clouds of his breath in the cold morning air.

"I wish to challenge your leader," she said through the mouth vents in her helmet. "Let him step forward."

"I will challenge none but the king," Byron said stepping forward. "I do not deal with his servants."

"If you will not fight then I have no choice but to strike first." Ryll readied herself. Her horse seemed to sense her nerves; he sidestepped and tossed his head about. She tightened her trip on the reins to keep him in check.

"You would fight an unarmed man? I thought the knights of Camelot had greater values than that? A Knight's Code?"

"That may be but you are not unarmed, and I am no knight," she said.

"Can I at least see the face of my challenger?" he asked.

"I fear it won't be a fair fight if you do."

"You already have the advantage. You have a horse and armor."

"If you agree to fight me using a weapon of your choice, loser backs down, no holding back, I will remove my helmet and dismount."

"No tricks?"

"I have nothing to hide," Ryll replied.

"Then it's a deal, but if I win, we march on Camelot."

"Understood." Ryll swung down from the saddle and moved to take her helmet off. "No holding back," she said.

"I wouldn't dream of it," Byron growled.

Ryll pulled the helmet from her head and watched Byron's eyes grow wide. "What's your weapon of choice?" she asked. "Mine is magic."

Byron was silent for a moment. "You deceived me."

"I did not. You accepted my challenge. You should have known I'd be coming. I can't let you do this, Byron."

"I won't fight you."

She hadn't expected this. "You accepted my challenge," she repeated.

"Challenges me damned! You aren't a knight. You have no grounds to be offering challenges. I refuse to fight you!" he snapped.

"Why? Are you afraid you'll lose?" Ryll goaded him.

Byron's eyes flashed. "It's not about winning or losing," he told her. "My fight isn't with you."

"You think me your enemy though. You wanted me to fight you in front of Arthur!"

"Ryll." Byron gave her a sad look. "I could never think you my enemy. I was only trying to prove a point – that Arthur would turn against you if he knew you had magic."

"I still won't let you start this war. I'll stop you myself if I have to otherwise a lot of people are going to die."

"Ryll, I really didn't want to have to do this, but you leave me no choice," Byron said.

"What do you mea-" Ryll started, but the druids around her began to chat. She felt a tug behind her eyes and felt herself growing sleepy. She tried to fight it off, but with the combined power of the druids, she couldn't.

"This is for your own good Ryll. When you wake up the battle will be won, and you'll see that I was right." Ryll's eyes lost focus and the world went black around her.