Author's Note: I said I was going to write on my days off, so what do I do? I play the sims for three days straight. Naturally. But I'm writing now! I'm really excited about the ideas I have rattling around in that very distracted head of mine. Now if only I can keep my attention firmly focused on the word document and not on tumblr or the sims or netflix...

-99-

Merlin knew Ryll's absence would be noticed. She'd become a symbol around the city, and he was afraid that symbol was about to be destroyed. When Arthur summoned his closest knights to the round table the night after Ryll's departure, he grew worried. Arthur hadn't spoken to him save a few strained words yesterday when Merlin had returned to the castle. "She's gone?" he had asked. Merlin had nodded. "Merlin, if you ever keep something like that from me again, I'll have no choice but to send you away. Are we clear?" Merlin had nodded, feeling suddenly guilty for his own secret that he'd kept for so long. He knew Arthur would never forgive that. It would be an ultimate betrayal in the king's eyes especially after Ryll's moment of truth. Ryll had been content to hide her true self from Arthur all these years. Why now? Why had she opened up just when Morgana had been defeated and Camelot was coming into a time of peace? He remembered her wondering before what would happen if she told Arthur the truth before, but he'd always managed to dissuade her. This time she hadn't asked his opinion, just acted. He tried not to feel hurt over this. Ryll needed to make her own choices.

After the knights had seated themselves around the table – Gwaine, Leon, Percival, and Elyan – Arthur and Gwen sat down as well. Merlin was left standing a few feet away. He watched intently as Arthur started. "You'll notice a missing spot tonight," he said.

"Aye, where's Ryll?" Gwaine asked. His brown eyes flitted to Merlin, and he could read the worry there.

"Ryll has chosen to leave Camelot," Arthur said, "to live with the druids."

Merlin saw a wave of understanding pass over Gwaine's face while the others looked confused. Did Gwaine know Ryll's secret? There was so much that Merlin didn't know it seemed.

"What does that mean? Why would she do that?" the knights asked. Gwen raised her hand to her mouth, looking upset. Arthur would have told her already, Merlin supposed. Gwen would be the last person to judge Ryll for who she really was though. He noticed she was wearing the bracelet that Ryll had given to her as a wedding gift. He sensed magic clinging to it. A protection spell. Did Gwen know about it?

"Amaryllis confided something with me before she left. She told me that she has magic."

The knights looked at each other in surprise. "Are you sure?" Leon asked, his tone hesitant.

"I'm sure. She wouldn't lie about something like that. She's hid it all these years."

"She wasn't aware that she had magic all these years," Merlin spoke up. A look from Arthur silenced him.

"I saw her fight Morgana," Gwaine said. Everyone turned to look at him. "When I was imprisoned, Morgana would have me fight for food. One evening Ryll came in and attacked Morgana. She'd just learned that Morgana had enchanted her. She wasn't ever on Morgana's side though. Ryll would never use magic for evil. She can't help the way she was born."

"I agree. Ryll is a good person and a noble knight," Leon put in. "If anyone could make me believe that magic can be used for good, it's her."

"She's saved all our lives more than once," Elyan said.

"She's been a true friend all these years," Gwen told Arthur. "After Morgana betrayed us, Ryll was so broken up. If she'd wanted to use her magic for evil she would have joined Morgana."

Arthur looked surprised at the amount of support Ryll was receiving. Merlin's heart was beating hopefully. "I never said she was evil."

"Then why is she gone?" Percival asked.

"It was her choice to leave. I thought it was a good idea though. I can't have a knight who is also a sorceress in Camelot."

"Why not? She kept it a secret from us all these years," Gwaine cut in. "She can still be a knight without the people knowing she also has magic. She could be helpful. Especially if Morgana strikes again."

"It's just not how-" Arthur broke off as if unsure of his words.

"Not how your father would have done it?" Merlin spoke up once more. He'd probably have a bucket thrown at him later, but right now he felt he needed to be heard. "Arthur you're different from your father. You have the chance to make better choices."

Arthur looked up at him, but his eyes weren't angry just confused. "I made a promise to the druids to respect them and leave them in peace," Arthur said turning to Elyan, "that day at the shrine."

"I remember," Elyan said.

"I have no quarrel with their people. I did not banish Ryll. I didn't do anything. I just let her go."

"You can also bring her back," Merlin said softly.

"I need some time," Arthur replied after a moment. "I don't believe Ryll has ill intentions, I never have. But this still goes against everything I was raised to believe."

"She's a friend. She's been nothing but loyal." Gwen squeezed Arthur's hand. "I know you'll make the right decision."

"I'd be proud to continue serving alongside her," Leon said.

"And me," Gwaine added. Both Percival and Elyan nodded.

"We keep this between ourselves," Arthur said. "I couldn't keep this secret from you when you were her friends too. Are her friends. Just please give me some time on this."

"Of course."

"She's safe with the druids. She might find some peace there. I can't imagine how troubling it must be to find you have magic in a place that forbids it on pain of death," Gwen said.

"It's how Morgana felt," Arthur said, his eyes going distant.

"That wasn't your fault," Gwen told him.

"No, but she should never have felt alone."

"She chose that path. She chose to hurt people. I wish it could have been different, but there's nothing we can do about that."

"You're right." Arthur smiled at his queen. "Thank you to all of you. Your loyalty to not only me and Camelot but to your fellow knights is commendable. I will take all that you said into consideration."

Merlin waited until the knights had cleared out before coming up to Arthur. "I know what you're going to say, Merlin," Arthur said.

"Do you?"

"That I should bring Ryll back."

"I don't think you should prevent her from coming back, but I also think it's a good idea that she spends some time around people like her. But if she knows that she's still wanted here – I know that would go a long way."

"Just give me some time to think." Merlin nodded before leaving the king to his thoughts.

…

She thought it had been the end. That Arthur had defeated her and not the other way around like it should have been. But then something both warm and freezing cold had washed over her, and she was whole again. She had opened her eyes to behold an unexpected sight. A little white dragon no older than a few months sat on a stump looking satisfied with itself. The little dragon had healed her for whatever reason. Morgana had recognized the touch of magic. She had watched as the little dragon took off into the sky on fledgling wings and wondered if she would ever see it again.

Now as she made her way east away from Camelot she heard wings overhead. She brought her hand up to her eyes to shade them against the sun as she looked up. Something small and white swooped above her landing a few feet away. The little dragon gave a sort of growl but it was anything but aggressive. It sounded as if it was greeting her.

"Hello again," Morgana said, taking a step toward it. It squawked encouragingly. Morgana stopped and knelt before it reaching out a hand. It studied her with black eyes, cocking its head to the side. "You saved my life. Thank you."

The dragon cooed and stretched out its neck to sniff Morgana's fingers. Morgana held very still while the dragon assessed her. After a moment it pushed its head up under her hand. Morgana stroked its smooth scales, awe constricting her throat. "Are you all alone?" she asked. "Like me?" The dragon made a low sound in its throat. "Do you have a name?"

The dragon couldn't speak, but Morgana reached out with her magic and could feel the dragon's own reaching out to her. "Aithusa," Morgana said aloud after she sensed the name. It was a name of the dragon tongue which she did not understand, but she decided to call the dragon by that name. "Well then Aithusa, were shall we go? I can't go back to Camelot. Not now." A sense of loss came over her. She had no home now. She didn't dare go back to her hovel. She'd collected everything she needed and fled with only a rucksack on her back. The sun was hot as it blared down on her black cloak. "I don't suppose you know where I can find some water?" she asked. Her water skin had run out earlier that morning and she hadn't passed a stream for miles. She didn't know if the dragon hatchling could understand her, but it stood up on its hind legs and then took to the air. At first Morgana thought it was going to fly away, but then the little dragon hovered in the air looking back at her. Morgana smiled, getting to her feet and following.

The little dragon led her into a patch of woods further north, and Morgana could hear a stream running somewhere inside. The dragon landed next to the water, and Morgana filled her water skin taking a deep gulp. "Thank you." The dragon cocked its head to the side and cooed again. Then it reached out its neck and drank from the stream. Its white scales were quite dazzling in the sunlight, and its wings were still so new that they were nearly translucent. Morgana wondered again why it had saved her.

"I suppose here is as good as any to camp," Morgana said, pulling out a blanket and laying it on ground. It was sheltered and shady in the undergrowth, and the stream was right there if she needed water. She was far enough from Camelot that she wasn't expecting a search party to stumble across her. She shut her eyes, the heat of the day making her sleepy. Something nuzzled her arm, and she started, looking down to see Aithusa curling up next to her. Morgana watched in awe as the baby dragon shut its eyes, using Morgana's arm a pillow. One day this dragon would be as big as a house if not two, but for now it was small enough to curl up like a cat. Morgana stroked its spine before closing her eyes and drifting off feeling a lot less alone.

…

They fell into a routine. As Morgana traveled east, the little dragon followed after her becoming a constant traveling companion. After reaching out with her magic to try to learn more about the dragon, she had decided that it was a she and that she wasn't very old at all. She'd taken a strong liking to Morgana and hardly ever left her side. Tonight Morgana watched as Aithusa caught sparrows for dinner, snapping them out of the air. She was quick with her wings and had been growing visibly even in the last few weeks. She still slept next to Morgana, but she didn't try to play lap cat like she had in the first few days. Morgana had grown very fond of the dragon. It was like having a sister again – not quite the same, but it would do. Aithusa was a good companion. She didn't judge Morgana. Morgana wasn't sure how much the dragon knew about her. Had she guessed Morgana's troubled past? Either way they shared a bond through both magic and companionship and it made her time much more enjoyable.

After a month of travelling Morgana happened upon a dilapidated farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. It clearly hadn't seen habitation in many years and it wasn't close to any kingdom. With some work, Morgana managed to patch some of the holes and broken windows and make it livable once more. Aithusa could still fit through the door, and Morgana kept her inside during the day in case someone saw the dragon flying around. Aithusa didn't seem to mind, staying by Morgana's side during the day and going out to hunt at night. She brought back rabbits and fat pheasants for Morgana to cook. While they spent their days in the farmhouse, Morgana regained her full strength after losing her magic in Camelot. At night she still dreamed of Emrys from time to time, but with Aithusa by her side, she no longer feared those dreams. Emrys was far away now, and he couldn't harm her. She'd hone her skills until not even a sorcerer like him could stop her. She rued how close she had been to killing Arthur and truly claiming Camelot as her own. If only Emrys hadn't taken her powers from her. Arthur would be dead now and Camelot hers. But then she might not have ever met Aithusa. Morgana looked over at the dragon. She was preening her scales by the fireplace, looking content.

Morgana finished skinning the hare the young dragon had caught and started chopping the meat to cook. She tossed Aithusa a slice and the dragon caught it midair, gulping it down like a baby bird. She cocked her head to the side, and Morgana smiled. "No more until dinner," she said. "You'll grow fat and not be able to fit in our house anymore." Aithusa sighed before resting her head on her front feet. Morgana's smile widened and she flung another piece of meat which the dragon caught with a quick reflex. It struck Morgana then that she felt happy. The little white dragon had brought her a happiness she hadn't felt in a long time. They were in their old little world out here, and it seemed as if nothing could touch them. She was outside of Arthur's reach, away from all those who wished to persecute her, but not alone. She would never feel alone as long as she had Aithusa by her side. The realization came to her in the form of relief. She stopped cutting for a moment. She'd been fighting for so long and lost so much along the way. Could she be happy with a life away from Camelot? Away from her plotting and scheming? A life to herself where she did not need to worry about the judgment and persecution of those who abhorred magic? The thought was startling. She'd been waging her own war for so long that the thought of simply giving it up and living her life away from all she had fought for was both foreign and enticing. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been truly happy. All her happiness had been more in the form of satisfaction when she'd overtaken Camelot or when she'd revealed herself to Uther. But that wasn't true happiness. She had been happy once in Camelot before her friends had turned against her or had she turned against them? She didn't know anymore. All she wanted was a place in this world, to be accepted without fear of abandonment or death. Here she had that. Here she had nothing to fear.

Morgana finished cutting up the rabbit and added the bits of meat to a skillet over the fire. She washed her hands in a basin and stroked Aithusa's head. "Maybe this could be home now," she said softly. Aithusa cooed happily, gnawing on the rabbit meat.

…

Settling into the druid camp was much easier than Ryll had expected. It was quiet and peaceful, the pace never hurried. It wasn't that she didn't cherish her time in Camelot, but the slower pace to life was a nice change. At least until Arthur asked for her to come back to Camelot or the city needed her. For now she was learning control and how to use her powers for everyday useful things. Her healing skills were already much improved, and Byron was helping her control the elements better than before. She was learning other skills and strengths from other druids, and she found it exhilarating being among people with magic. The druids lived to be at peace with the earth, and she found their ways to be inspirational. Here were people untouched by war – save the time Byron had misled them against Camelot – people truly at one with earth. They showed the very best in humanity, gentle and caring, no room for resentment or anger. Ryll found herself letting go of old anger and wounds. Her resentment toward Morgana faded ever so slightly every day until she felt like a new person.

When she confided in Byron he smiled. "It has that effect, being a druid," he said. "Once I let my anger get the best of me, but I've learned much since then. I let pride, anger, and arrogance get in the way of my judgment. I'm blessed that my people and my friends have forgiven me."

"Well you were a bit of an ass, but I couldn't stay mad at you forever," Ryll said. Byron grinned. They both looked up as one of the druids, an older man named Heron, walked over to them.

"You have a visitor," he said to Ryll. "A young man by the name of Merlin."