Author's note: Hi again! I know you probably don't read these, but thanks for sticking around. I appreciate it.

Enjoy!

TTT

Chapter 5

"Emrys, what have you done?"

Merlin jumped up from the floor and spun around to face his accuser.

Standing before him was a very angry Fernor. Well 'angry' doesn't quite cut it. He was livid.

"I-uh- I don't know what you're talking about." Merlin stuttered, his mind racing.

"Emrys! Don't play games with me!" Fernor said heatedly, advancing upon him, "I saw what you did!"

Merlin quickly stepped back. Considering the mood Fernor was in, there was no telling what he would do.

"Look," Merlin said quickly, flinging his arms into the air in a reasonable gesture, "I can explain!"

Fernor lunged and grabbed him by the throat, slamming him into the wall.

"Then you had better do just that, and fast." Fernor hissed.

"I-ag-wa-" Merlin motioned towards his throat in a meaningful way. The grip on his throat loosened, but still hurt.

"I was… out walking," Merlin attempted to clear his throat, "because I couldn't sleep. Then some random person tackled me from behind and stole my left shoe! I mean can you really believe the nerv-"

The grip on his throat tightened until Merlin couldn't breathe and was gasping for air. Fernor leaned in close.

"Look, I don't know who you are, or what you want, but," Fernor lowered his voice and squeezed harder, "don't play games with me."

Fernor abruptly released him, and Merlin fell to the floor, gasping. Fernor stood over him, arms crossed, waiting for the fit to subside. When it looked as if Merlin could talk, Fernor spoke, calmly, but with a cold edge.

"Now Emrys, I know what you did. I saw you do it. You destroyed our army's food supply with magic. Now, I am going to ask you one question and you are goingto give me an honest answer." Fernor stared hard at him, then threw open his arms with a fake smile, "Why?"

Merlin shifted uncomfortably on the ground, looking up into Fernor's hard face.

"Because I…Because," Merlin looked at the floor, then sighed, and with a shake of his head, stood up.

"Because," Merlin said, stronger this time, "I am trying to stop a war. Your army is about to go to war with one of your neighboring kingdoms, and I am doing everything within my power to prevent that."

"King Cenred has no quarrel with Mercia, so why should you even care?"

"I care because-" Merlin stopped, uncomfortable. What could he say?

"It's just," Merlin fidgeted, "I don't like war." He finished lamely.

Fernor stood staring at him, silent. The silence lengthened until it became awkward. Merlin shifted his weight.

"So," Merlin asked warily, "What are you going to do?"

A bitter laugh broke the silence with an eerie crack.

"What am I going to do?" Fernor's laughter continued, "What can I do? I saw you commit treason against the King! If I turn you in, I will be executed too for not stopping you! No, I like my head where it is."

Merlin stared, not sure he entirely understood.

"So, you are going to let me go?" Merlin asked, slightly dumbfounded and hardly believing his good fortune.

Fernor glared at him with what Merlin could only pin as hatred. Merlin involuntarily tried to take a step back, but hit the wall.

Just when Merlin thought Fernor was going to attack him, Fernor abruptly turned around and walked briskly back towards their chambers.

Merlin stared after him until he was out of sight. When he could no longer hear his footsteps and he was sure he was gone, Merlin shakily dropped to the floor. He couldn't stay there long, the sun would be rising soon and he really couldn't let anyone see him in his current state. He was tired. That last conversation with Fernor had left him physically and emotionally drained. He really did need to get up… just not yet. Exhausted, Merlin leaned his head back against the wall.

But he did not close his eyes.

…

Morgana gracefully closed the door to her chambers after thanking Gwen for her assistance.

She glided over to her comfortable wooden chair, and sat while pulling out an elegantly made mirror. She brought it up to her face and studied her reflection. What she saw surprised her, even after a year of seeing it every day. It was still her face, as beautiful as ever, or maybe even more so. No, it wasn't what was on the outside of her face that surprised her, but what was hidden, what one had to look so very closely to find. A face that used to be so full of love and joy, now hard, growing cold. That was what surprised her. How had this happened?

Morgana sighed, then briskly tried to shake off an uncomfortable feeling growing in her chest, a feeling that she did not want to think about.

She turned back to the mirror. Staring deep into its silver surface, she murmured an incantation under her breath and her eyes flashed gold, reflecting back at her through the mirror.

The mirror grew foggy, a face beginning to form in its silver depths. The mirror cleared and the beautiful face of her stepsister stared back.

"Ah, Sister you got my message."

"Morgause!" Morgana couldn't help but smile. The sight of her passionate sister always warmed her to her toes. Realizing Morgause was still waiting for an answer, Morgana continued.

"Yes, I did." Morgana smiled at the bracelet Morgause had given her, "I stole Uther's signet ring, wrote the letter, and gave it back to him all in one night!"

Morgause smiled slightly at Morgana's enthusiasm.

"You have done well Morgana."

Morgana's heart warmed slightly at the praise.

"Do you have the letter with you?" Morgause continued.

"Yes," Morgana stood, and quickly walked toward her nightstand.

She opened a small drawer, and emptied it of its contents: a small silver brush, an amphora of perfume, various pieces of jewelry and a small wooden statue of a horse that Arthur had made for her when they were little. She had teased him mercilessly when he had given it to her, so he had put on a careless bravado, saying that the only reason he had made it for her was because she wasn't allowed to ride a real horse.

He didn't know she had kept it.

When the drawer was empty she placed her hand into it and grabbed on to a small wooden handle in the back corner that was practically invisible. She pulled hard, and the false bottom came out, revealing a hidden opening beneath it.

A letter marked with the King's seal rested inside.

She closed her eyes and incanted a quick spell. When she opened them, the letter was gone.

She hastily walked back to the chair and picked up the mirror.

"It's done." Morgana said proudly. She need not have. For already she could see the letter begin to materialize right into Morgause's outstretched hand.

Morgause smiled triumphantly.

"Thank you sister," Morgause said sincerely, "This will help us grea-"

A knocking on Morgana's door interrupted Morgause. Morgana hastily flipped the mirror over and threw the jewelry, perfume, brush, and most importantly, the wooden horse, back into the drawer.

Putting herself together, she walked to the door and opened it with as much grace and poise as she could manage.

Arthur stood uncomfortably in the hallway, obviously concerned about something.

"Arthur," Morgana smiled, not sure whether she was happy or annoyed at this unexpected visit.

"Please, come in."

Arthur nodded and limped into the room. Morgana noticed the bandage wrapped around his knee and wondered why Gaius had let him out of bed. Morgana shut the door behind him. Arthur stood with his hands behind his back, surveying the room. Morgana waited for him to say something, but he did not, and the silence grew unbearable.

Irritated, Morgana finally asked curtly, "Well?"

Arthur turned towards her seeming to have realized what he wanted to say.

"I had Sir Kay and Sir Allen locked up this afternoon," Arthur said plainly.

Morgana raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"Really?" she asked, cocking her head slightly, "Under what charges?"

Arthur shifted his weight and leaned slightly on Morgana's table for support. No, he most certainly should not be out of bed.

"Under the charges of disobeying a direct order from their prince." Arthur said automatically.

Both of Morgana's eyebrows climbed.

"From what I have heard, they saved your life." She said amusedly.

"They had no right to." Arthur said tightly.

Unconcerned, Morgana shrugged.

"They are your Knights Arthur, they had every right"

"But they left Merlin to die!"

"If you're going to get all angry at me I am going to have to ask you to leave!" Morgana shot back.

"No, no wait," Arthur sighed and rubbed his face with his hands, "I'm sorry. It's not you. It's just…."

Morgana stared at him, surprised. He had come to her for advice! He wasn't going to admit it, but he had. She didn't know why that surprised her, a couple of years ago Arthur would practically be in her room everyday ranting about his responsibilities, duties, but more than anything, the remoteness of his father. Their father, she thought in disgust. However, things had changed since then and now. A lot of things.

Yet seeing him so upset brought a part of the old Morgana back, a very little bit, but at least it was there. Acting upon a feeling she had forgotten existed, Morgana moved until she was standing directly in front of Arthur, who was staring at the ground.

"Arthur," Morgana said quietly. He didn't move.

"Arthur," She said again, loudly this time. He shifted his gaze towards his hands.

Morgana sighed, and daintily shoved herself onto the table next to him.

"What's wrong?" Morgana asked, her voice low.

Arthur slowly lifted his head until their eyes met.

"I'm worried about Merlin," Arthur said miserably. Morgana's fingernails bit into the table at the sound of her enemy's name. 'Of course he would be worried about him' Morgana thought bitterly. Arthur did not seem to notice the change in Morgana's demeanor.

"He's still in danger," Arthur went on, "and I can't do anything about it!"

Morgana rolled her eyes and was about to change the subject but Arthur kept going.

"And I don't know what to do with Sir Allen and Sir Kay, I really don't, they were some of the most honorable men I knew, but then they practically killed Merlin!"

Morgana opened her mouth to speak, but Arthur had opened up, and like a flood his problems and worries started to pour out.

"And I am tired of being lied to! Everywhere I look somebody I trust is lying to my face! A couple days ago, I asked Gaius how Merlin's letter could have possibly gotten here so fast, because as far as I can tell, even if Merlin sent the letter the day after he got shot, it still wouldn't have arrived at Camelot until the day after I woke up. When I asked Gaius, he had simply said that the messenger was a close friend of Merlin's, and so he rode through the night for him. But Merlin grew up in Ealdor and never left, so how could he have a friend so far away? Much less a close one."

Arthur massaged his neck with his hand and sighed.

"I think he is hiding something from me, Morgana," Arthur said seriously.

"Who? Gaius?" Morgana asked, hiding a yawn. She was tired, and as interesting as this conversation was, she was beginning to wish Arthur would leave.

"No, Merlin," Arthur said, as if it should be obvious, "Of course I cannot imagine what Merlin would have to hide."

Surprised, Morgana lifted an eyebrow. She could use this to her advantage.

"You can't trust him, Arthur," Morgana said wickedly, "He's sneaky."

Arthur laughed, but stopped when he saw her face. She was serious. Arthur cleared his throat.

"Merlin?" Arthur asked incredulously.

"Yes, Merlin," Morgana said humorlessly, "You don't know him Arthur. You have no idea what he has done!"

Arthur gave her a perplexed look.

"What are you talking about Morgana?"

Morgana opened her mouth to answer but stopped. Telling Arthur that Merlin had poisoned her would bring up a whole lot of uncomfortable questions.

She hurriedly thought of something else.

"He stole my dress!" Morgana said passionately.

"He what?" Arthur asked, feeling slightly relieved but not knowing why, "Oh yes, I remember, that purple one that he was carrying so awkwardly around the hall."

"I haven't seen it since!" Morgana said woefully.

Morgana glared as Arthur choked back a laugh, but he could not contain occasional outbursts.

Deciding it was best to change the subject, Arthur pushed himself off the table.

"It's late, I had better go." Arthur said, still chuckling.

Morgana nodded and showed him to the door. When he was gone, she returned to her chair and sat down.

"I am sorry," Morgana said, picking up the mirror, "I didn't mean to take so long."

Morgause had a thoughtful look on her face.

"You still care about him, don't you?" Morgause asked softly.

"Who? Arthur?" Morgana laughed, "Certainly not."

Morgause smiled.

"I am glad," she said, then added, "Let's be sure to keep it that way."

Morgana was about to object but a look from Morgause silenced her.

"I heard the two of you together, I just don't want any remaining feelings for these people to get in the way of our plans."

"Of course they won't," Morgana said with a little laugh, "My loyalties lie with you Morgause, no one else."

Morgause inclined her head, satisfied.

"You are tired sister," Morgause observed, "I will leave you."

Morgana smiled, and nodded. "Good night sister."

"Goodnight. Now rest peacefully, knowing that you are one step closer to the destruction of Uther Pendragon."

With those final words, the mirror fogged up, then went blank.

….

Morgana closed the door behind him. Arthur leaned his back against it and sighed.

'So that is one more person who is not being honest with me' Arthur thought miserably. He and Morgana just didn't seem to connect, not anymore. Something had changed. Come to think of it, Morgana had not been the same since she had escaped from Morgause. At first, Arthur had thought it was just a side effect of the pain she had endured for an entire year.

Now, he wasn't so sure.

Arthur's thoughts strayed to Merlin, to him leaping in front of an arrow, an arrow that was not meant for him.

Arthur shook his head, trying to rid himself of the painful picture. Gaius was going to blow it if he found out he had sneaked out of his chambers. He had better be getting back to them.

Arthur made to push himself wearily off the door and return to his chambers, but froze.

"Now rest peacefully, knowing that you are one step closer to the destruction of Uther Pendragon."

Arthur hurled himself from Morgana's door. That was Morgause's voice. He had not just heard that coming from Morgana's room, he couldn't have. He backed up until he felt himself hit the adjacent wall. He was being ridiculous, he just hadn't heard right. Morgana was probably just talking to herself and he had misunderstood. He was overreacting.

I could just walk back in and find out for myself.' Arthur thought, trying to brush off the panic he would not acknowledge was there.

He walked back to the door and placed his hand on the door latch.

He didn't want to open it. He wasn't going to admit it, but he was scared of what he would find.

'This is Morgana we are talking about… Morgana! I'm being ridiculous.' Arthur's hand slipped from the latch. He couldn't do it. He slowly, painfully, walked back to his chambers, back to an upset Gaius, all the while berating himself for being an utter coward.

….

Despite Morgause's wishes, Morgana did not rest peacefully.

Fire. Heat. Burning. People were running and screaming in terror. Yet worse, they were running and screaming away from her. She heard herself incant a spell, and a ball of fire shot from her hand, exploding and killing dozens. She couldn't stop herself, part of her didn't even want to. She raised her hand to cast another spell, but a roaring from above stopped her. She felt herself look up.

The Great Dragon, wings tight to his body, dove straight towards her, a blazing inferno spurting from his jaws. She tried to move but could not. The dragon got closer and closer, and the flames grew hotter and hotter. She knew she could not get to safety in time. She was going to die.

Morgana's eyes flew open, as she sat up with a jolt. She felt herself breathing hard. Her hand instinctively flew to her bracelet. It was still there. The only reason she had nightmares with the bracelet on was when they were most certainly going to come true.

Morgana slowly curled up under her sheets, and began to sob.

She was going to die.

….

Morgause eased off her quivering mount, and handed the reins to a nearby servant.

She had ridden through the night in her haste to get their letter to King Bayard.

She wearily walked up the steps to the castle, staring down those who gave her odd looks.

She had a mission, a purpose for coming to Mercia, and she would not be dissuaded by any amount of perplexed looks.

When she arrived at the top of the stairs she made to walk through the two large double doors, but was stopped by the blue garbed guards standing there.

"What is your business here?" One of the guards asked, not unkindly.

Morgause lifted herself up to her full height, ignoring her weariness.

"I come from Cenred's Kingdom, I have a letter we have intercepted from King Uther of Camelot. I need to see your King at once." Morgause said commandingly.

The guard murmured something to his comrade, and the other guard quickly ran into the castle.

Morgause and the first guard waited in silence. Soon the man came back and motioned that Morgause could enter.

Morgause nodded and stepped through. She quickly walked down the corridor, to the great 15-foot high doors, leading to the throne room. Wordlessly, the guards stepped aside and let her pass.

The Great Hall stretched before her, large, blue crested columns lining the way to the throne. To her right, floor-to-ceiling windows stretched from one side of the room to the other, and to her left, beautifully embroidered tapestries hung elegantly from the walls.

Bayard himself sat on his throne at the far end, his regal face observing her.

Morgause strode gracefully towards the throne, stopping only a couple feet away.

"My Lord," Morgause said, inclining her head, "I bring grave news from Cenred's Kingdom."

"Cenred's Kingdom," Bayard said slowly, standing up, "Why, I haven't heard from Cenred in months. How does he fare?" Bayard asked, motioning to a servant, who brought him a goblet of wine.

"He fares well My Lord," Morgause said with a hint of a smile, then added, "For he is planning to go to war with the hateful kingdom of Camelot."

"Camelot?" Bayard asked sharply, "Camelot is now our ally M'lady, if you have come thinking that you can ask for my aid in this venture of yours, I'm afraid that you are sadly mistaken."

Morgause shook her head slightly.

"I am afraid it is you who are mistaken My Lord," Morgause said respectfully, "Camelot is no friend of Mercia, I can assure you of that."

Bayard frowned.

"How do you know of this?" Bayard asked disbelievingly, "Where is your proof?"

Morgause smiled, and reaching into a small pouch, she took out the letter Morgana had given her.

"This was intercepted from a messenger of Camelot, who was on his way to the kingdom of Gwhite."

Bayard held out his hand, motioning for the letter.

Morgause handed it to him.

"The letter states, as you will read My Lord, that Camelot wishes to go to war against Mercia, apparently they have for awhile. Camelot was asking Lord Godwin for help."

Bayard frowned as he read the letter and, upon finishing, he hastily flipped it over to examine the seal.

"It is genuine," He sighed, "Camelot has betrayed me."

"My Lord," Morgause acted offended, "Did you think we would lie to you?"

"It was not mistrust in you, M'lady," Bayard said, his head lowered, "It was the faith I had in Camelot. I had thought that I was a better judge of character than that."

Morgause waited. She knew what was coming.

Bayard raised his head.

"We cannot sit idle while Camelot is preparing for war against us," Bayard said, resigned, "We will aid you in your fight against Camelot, M'lady. You may count on Mercia."

Morgause smiled triumphantly. This was all going so perfectly.

"Thank you, My Lord," she said, feigning warmth, "Cenred thanks you."

Bayard nodded, distracted.

"You may go, M'lady," Bayard said, with a wave of his hand.

Morgause inclined her head, and made to walk back towards the door, but turned back.

"My name is Morgause."

Then she was gone.

…

Fernor walked furiously down the hall, away from where he had left the half-choked sorcerer.

'Emrys only thinks he is free,' Fernor thought, trying to calm himself down, 'He won't know what hit him by the time I'm through with him!'

Fernor loudly pushed the door to the shared servant's chambers open, and strode to the desk where he quickly lit a candle.

Danen groaned in his sleep, and flipped over.

He hated sorcerers! With everything in him he hated them. Since he could not tell Cenred about Emrys without being charged for treason, and since he could not strangle him himself without being charged with murder, Fernor decided that there was only one course of action he could take.

He would go to the one person who hated sorcerers as much as he did, and tell him a sorcerer wished to kill him. He had done it before.

Fernor dipped his quill in the inkwell and began to write a letter to Uther Pendragon, the king of Camelot.

My Lord the King,

I write to you with disparaging news. I have recently come upon the knowledge of the existence of a very powerful sorcerer who wishes for nothing more than to destroy Camelot, and everyone in it.

You may ask yourself why I am warning you of this man, when I myself am in your enemy's territory. The answer to that question is very simple, Your Majesty. I hate the very existence of sorcerers, and wish for them all to be destroyed. So I write to you, you who are like minded in this aspect, and has something to gain.

I urge you to act quickly in the elimination of this man, for in his heart lies only evil.

The sorcerer's name is Emrys.

Fernor quickly closed and sealed the letter. He would send it tomorrow.

Author's note: Once again I would like to thank my reviewers. Yes, I know that I have done it like well… *thinks hard* a really big number of times! But I just like doing it.

So special thanks to: Notquietbezerk, Ebonyice, 1, Falling down the stairs, Ruby 890, Eclipseoftheheart17, Wisegirl24256, Catwomanswrath, Cwam, Emachinescat, Suzie, Lillyplusjamesistotallove, Whirlwind421, llLethell, Merlin Fan, and Nykskyblue!

Cheers!

TTT