I do not own Merlin.

Chapter 3 - The Confrontation

Morgana watches as Daegal walks across the courtyard. Her lips part slightly in shock. She concludes that if he's alive, then Merlin must be too. She can't say she's completely shocked. In fact, deep down, she probably expected this to happen.

"Should I clear away the dishes, my lady?" Gwen asked from behind her. However, her eyes were focused intently on the servant outside so she didn't answer her immediately.

When Daegal was out of her sight, she turned around slowly. "I should get dressed." She walked over to her dresser, not even bothering to answer Gwen.

In all honesty, she truly did not know how she felt about Merlin being alive. On the outside, she felt quite angry at him. Angry that he was able to undermine both her and Morgause by escaping. But there was a small part of her that was relieved. The part of her that she buried deep down inside of her.

The tiny piece of her that she let go of months ago.

She shook her head at the thought of her old self. That Morgana was weak, she learned. She was young and naive, a fool who trusted too easily. She was never going to be that girl again. She couldn't be that girl again.

Morgana took a deep breath, and stepped out from behind the screen after changing into her dress for the day. She gave herself a quick glance in the mirror, and then headed off to find a certain knight.

After destroying the enchanted root that caused the king to lose his mind, Merlin made his way back to his room. He never did learn what it was that caused Uther's illness. When they got inside, Uther was in hysterics. He didn't have time to show Gaius what it was. He acted quickly by grabbing the root from under the bed and throwing it in the fireplace. He still couldn't shrug off the horrific screams he heard when the root was finally destroyed.

Gaius told him that the king was on the road to a steady recovery so he was more at ease. Although, Merlin was barely able to dodge his questions as to how the root got their in the first place. Merlin didn't want to lie to his mentor, but he didn't want him to think ill of Morgana. He thought it was better that Gaius didn't know about Morgana unless absolutely necessary.

When Merlin woke up the next morning, it was to Daegal who wore a terrified expression on his face. He groaned and mumbled a raspy good morning as he barely had any sleep the night before.

"I wouldn't necessarily call it a good morning," his servant said. "Prince Prat is a bit angry." Merlin heard a faint calling of his name in the corridors, and gulped. He knew Daegal wasn't kidding when he heard a loud stomping outside before he heard his door crash open.

"Where the hell have you been?!" Merlin sat up, fully awake. "I will not deal with your insolence this morning, Merlin. Camelot could be heading off to war, and I will not have any of my knights thinking they can skip practice whenever they please!"

"I wasn't gone that long-"

"You aren't allowed to leave at all!" He barked. "Not without my permission. What makes you think you can simply undermine my authority? Who gave you such privileges?"

Merlin didn't know how to respond without getting a yell in response. "What if I was dying?" He stood up and walked to his dresser.

"I wouldn't be complaining!" Merlin winced at the loudness of his shout. "And you're not. Dying. So where have you been?"

Calmly, he answered while picking out a new shirt to wear for the day. "I was dying."

Arthur breathed in indignantly at his answer. "I told you I will not deal with your nonsense this morning. The future of the kingdom rests upon my shoulders. Do you have any idea how that feels like?" Merlin slipped on his light blue tunic, wishing he could answer that question truthfully.

Daegal, quietly sitting on the bed, looked at the prince. "You haven't breakfast this morning, have you?" Arthur inhaled sharply and glared at the servant who quickly avoided his stare. He then turned to look at Merlin who involuntarily chuckled, but the knight immediately shut up at the prince's warning look.

"Gaius told me your father is recovering." Merlin said, steering the conversation into a more serious one. "I'm guessing they want you take over while he is in recovery. Which is also why you're acting like this."

"Maybe I'm acting like this because a certain knight thinks he can skip out on all of his duties without permission." Merlin walked over to the table in his room and picked up the bread Daegal delivered for him. He waited patiently for Arthur to calm down. "I'm not going to usurp my own father."

Merlin swallowed the bite of bread he was chewing. "I heard Cenred is amassing an army. The people wouldn't blame you if you took charge while your father is recovering."

Daegal added to that. "They want you to take charge actually. The people are afraid, and their leader is currently ill so it only makes sense for you to step up."

Arthur breathed in and out slowly. "Council meeting in a few."

"But I'm not apart of the council," Merlin furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"Merlin," he pointed his finger at him. "What did I tell you?"

The knight raised his hands in surrender. "Alright. I'll be there."

After breakfast, Merlin was making his way to the council chambers when an arm aggressively pulled him into an empty alcove.

"Morgana-"

She cut him off. "I don't know how you're still alive," she started. "but if you breathe a word of what you saw in the woods that night, I will make sure everyone knows what you did."

She made a move to leave, but Merlin held her elbow to keep her in place. "What exactly did I do?" She didn't respond. "Because I recall you drinking the poison on your own accord. I didn't force you, and I didn't want you to drink it."

He felt a shiver run up his spine when she looked up at him with a sharp cold look. Her once bright green eyes filled with hope and promise were now dulled and empty. Like the darkness cleansed her of all her light.

"You never should have brought it in the first place." She pushed his hand to the side and walked away from him.

He didn't make a move to stop her because he knew she was right. He brought the poison with him as a safeguard in case she really was working with Morgause. But he knew she wasn't or she wouldn't have taken that poison.

Merlin scratched the back of his head before running his hands across his face. He couldn't stop picturing the betrayed look that crossed her face when he accused her. He lost her trust, and for good reason. He should have trusted that she would never do anything to harm him or Camelot.

He doubted her loyalty to Camelot. And because of that, her allegiance has changed.

Merlin ran his hands through his hair again before focusing himself on the task at hand, which was attending the council meeting.

Merlin slipped into the council chamber in time to hear Sir Leon's report of his findings.

"I believe Cenred's army will reach the city in two days time," he revealed. "We knew he was amassing an army-"

Arthur interrupted him. "How many men?"

Leon had a grave look on his face. "Twenty thousand. Maybe more."

"News of the king's illness has spread beyond our borders," Gaius disclosed. "Cenred sees an opportunity."

"We must find a way to appease him," Leon told Arthur.

Arthur sighed, pushing his hair back. "We won't do that. It's not what my father would do," he looked around the room at his advisors. "He wouldn't bow down to his enemies." He turned to Gaius. "What good would appeasement do? What territories would Cenred demand?"

"We do not have to give him anything," Gaius answered. "But it could buy us valuable time."

"It makes Camelot look weak." Arthur looked to Merlin who gave him a nod of approval and encouragement. "There's only one course of action open to us." He walked over to the throne and sat on it. "We must prepare the city for siege."

Leon questioned this course of action. "Are you sure that is wise?"

Arthur nodded. "The castle is our strongest weapon. No army has ever taken Camelot." He thought for a moment. "Give refuge to the people in the outlying villages within the city walls." Leon stood, waiting for his next task. "And ready the army." He looked to his prince as if asking if he was sure. "Go."

Merlin looked to Arthur for his tasks, and the prince signaled for him to aid Leon in his tasks. He nodded, turning around and catching up to Leon so he could help with supplies and preparing the army.

Holding a basket of laundry, Gwen took the route that passed the prince's room on her way to Morgana's chambers. When she passed by, she noticed his door was open so she knocked to see if anyone was there.

Arthur turned around to see Gwen at the door. He smiled lightly. "Guinevere. Come in, please."

She held the basket at her waist. Knowing it is a sensitive subject, she asked carefully. "How is your father?"

"Gaius says he's recovering well," he answered. "But I could do better with him here."

She wished she knew what would make him feel better. She'd do anything to relieve him of his stress. "You should have more faith in yourself."

"What are the people saying?"

"They are glad that you have taken charge." She hoped that he would take comfort in that thought.

"I've committed them to a siege," he said quietly. "There's bound to be casualties."

She took a few steps closer to him, and grasped his arm lightly. "I trust you, Arthur. More than Uther. More than anyone. You shouldn't worry so much. You are doing what you believe is best, and it is." Arthur gazed at the woman in front of him. "Forget about everything else. You have to follow what you believe is right."

Without breaking contact with her beautiful brown eyes, he reached up and covered her hand with his own. Her words relaxed him in a way that offers comfort. Lately, it seems that she is the only one who knew how to calm him down. However, she slipped away from the hold and put a little distance between them.

"I should go, sire," she said quietly.

He frowned at the formality. "You don't have to call me that. There's no need."

She shook her head. "There is every need, sire." She mentally regretted coming in, reminding herself not to get attached as she knew there was no way they could be together. But for a second, she relished his warm touch as it calmed her down in a time of chaos. She'd hope her words offered solace to the prince, but she had to be on her way.

Gwen positioned the basket higher on her waist. She was a servant and he was a prince. There was no changing that. Not now.

Merlin checked to make sure his sword was at his belt while he stood next to Arthur on the steps in the courtyard. Daegal was tasked with helping the injured in the hospital as well as keeping an eye on Morgana which he tasked himself to do.

"Are you nervous, Merlin?" Arthur asked as they waited for Cenred's army to approach.

Merlin shook his head, no. "I have no reason to be." Arthur looked at him. "I believe in you, Arthur. You're doing the right thing." The prince listened to what he had to say. "I believe that someday, you will be the greatest king this land has ever known. I didn't think so before. You were a prat," he paused for a second. "You still are a prat, but I can see that you've got a good heart and good instinct. You'll always do what is best for Camelot and all of it's citizens. And knowing this, makes me proud to serve under your leadership. I trust you, Arthur, and you should trust in yourself too."

Arthur nodded. "You know, Merlin. There are times when you display a sort of," he looked to the side to think of a word. "It's not wisdom, but- yes. That's what it is." Merlin smiled lightly. "Don't look so pleased. You're a complete idiot most of the time."

As Merlin is fighting in the front lines against the Cenred's soldiers, he feels a jolt of magic burst through him and he is distracted for a moment. He senses that the blast of magic was dark as it was accompanied by a feeling of dread and panic.

He hears someone calling his name from behind him, and he runs to the source after running an enemy soldier through with his sword. When he is a few feet away from the source, he realizes it was Daegal who was calling him with urgent news.

However, something else behind the boy causes Merlin to freeze a little. He almost didn't catch what Daegal said. "Morgana's missing." Merlin gulps at the sight of a live skeleton carrying a sword and heading straight towards Daegal. As the undead swings it's weapon at the servant, Merlin pulls him out of the way. His sword clashes with the skeleton's and they duel for a bit.

At the end, Merlin is able to cut the skeleton's arm off, but it doesn't kill it. He turns behind him, and grabs Daegal as another knight takes on the undead.

"We need to warn Gaius," he said. "Tell him to close the hospital wing. I'll find Morgana."

"I think I saw her going downstairs. Probably to the burial grounds."

Merlin runs down to the vaults to find Morgana admiring a tree in the middle of the room. She hears his steps behind her, and she turns around to face him.

"You should leave now while you still can," she smirks at him.

"Why are you doing this?" He was panting from all the running. "Women and children are dying, Morgana. The city will fall." She didn't say anything. "Morgana, please. This isn't you." She remained silent. "This isn't the person I fell in love with," he finished in a voice barely above a whisper.

She scoffed at his last statement. "Please, you never loved me," she said. "You can't even trust me."

"Morgana-"

"No," she cut him off. "You didn't trusted me."

Merlin shook his head. "That's not true."

"Really?" She let out a sardonic laugh. "You were ready to kill me to make sure that I don't get in the way of your destiny. I'm sure you didn't think twice about it," she continued before he could protest. "Don't deny it, Merlin. You were quick to believe that I brought Morgause to Camelot."

As much as he wanted to tell her she was wrong, they were running low on time. "Morgana, please," he pleaded. "Just stop this."

She ignored him. "You should know, I did meet with Morgause the night before I left. She asked me to join her in bringing about Uther's downfall." He only gave her a pained expression. "You should also know that I said no. I said no because I believed in you, but you never bothered to ask me this. You just assumed that I would say yes."

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "Morgana, I'm so sorry. But I wasn't so quick to blame you. I didn't believe it was you until-" He didn't want to mention Kilgharrah to her. He didn't want to explain the dragon to her while people are fighting the undead above them. They were running low on time. "I do trust you, and I do love you. More than anyone. And I'll explain everything. Just stop this first. Please."

"You're lying."

She picked up a sword nearby, pointing it at him. "Morgana, please." He tried to move past her, but she only blocked his path. "I know you won't kill me."

"What makes you so sure?"

"You didn't tell Morgause about my magic," he answered. "I know that you still care. I know that you wouldn't want innocent people to die because of this."

"You don't know who I am or what I want," she said. She stopped talking, instead swinging her sword at him.

He countered her movements as they engaged in a duel. "Morgana, please. I don't want to hurt you."

"You may not want to, but you will," she said. "I saw it. You're going to kill me. I know you will, but I won't let you."

They continue to duel until Merlin uses a spell to knock her unconscious, but he didn't do that until he knew for sure she wasn't going to quit. He ran over to the Rowan Tree and slashing it in half with both his sword and a spell.

When the tree was destroyed, he turned back to Morgana and lifted her into his arms. He couldn't leave her there, not after hearing about what she really thought of him. It pained him to know how she truly felt about him now. He knew it would take a while before he could regain her trust.

Though what really unsettled him was how she was so sure he was going to kill her. He wasn't going to let that happen either. He tried to once, and it was his biggest regret. He won't put himself in that position. Not again. He would do whatever it took to save her. To make her trust him again, and to get rid of all her fears. And he will try not to hurt her again.

But things aren't always so simple.

Author's Note: Thank you guys for the amazing reviews last chapter! You guys had some great ideas about what happened to Morgana. I don't think this chapter gave a lot of clues as to what happened to her though. Do you guys still think she is enchanted? A lot can happen in a year.

Birdb: Thank you :)

theresatremblay3: Thank you for the feedback. I like the whole brainwashing idea. ;)

sjritts: Kilgharrah and Merlin don't always see eye to eye on things, but they do care about each other. Kilgharrah wants whats best for Merlin. Thanks for the feedback :)

currageously: I don't know. Is Morgana under an enchantment? ;) And thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying the story :)

Meri Ley: I'm glad you like the story. :D Some parts of the story will be the same from the series. Other parts are vastly different.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I'll update as soon as I can.