"Where were the both of you? You took your own time getting back"? Arthur asked smirking, they were lying next to each other on the floor while Morgana and Gwen shared Hunith's bed. The woman graciously gave them her home, while she took the opportunity to stay with Alice and make sure she was not alone at such a difficult time. Merlin rolled his eyes and turned on his back to face Arthur, who was lying to his left. "Sometimes it's best we did not know all the details of the other's life brother". Arthur turned his head to face him. "I am happy for you, I hope you know that".

"I know and thank you" he replied softly and smiled back. Arthur took a closer look at his twin, they hadn't had a peaceful moment to properly speak in months, until now.

"I was surprised father let us come help these people with no protest," Arthur said after a while. "He attempted to take my place during the battle with the Wraith". Arthur's eyes which had wandered during his musings snapped back to his brother's as he heard that. Merlin met his gaze with a determined, thoughtful one that told Arthur there was more. "I told him at the time, as future guardians of Camelot, both of us needed to fight our own wars and it's not his place to interfere". Arthur replied with a sound of approval "It was lonely, those years without you Merlin, you were my only true friend and support at court".

"Speaking of the Wraith, you said something to father, I recall, about father not taking responsibility for our family's past debts ?" Arthur asked curiously. Merlin's eyes widened and he tensed, he hadn't expected Arthur to pick up on that aspect of their conversation. "I think about the conversation we had over and over, and it just keeps bothering me".

"Arthur" Merlin's voice was solemn when he replied, "When I told you about our shared destiny, I mentioned there are things best left for their own time; keeping Albion's best interest at heart".

Arthur could not stem his curiosity but he trusted his brother's judgment, Merlin had yet to guide him awry, he nodded, accepting the answer and asked another burning question instead.

"Why did you feel you needed to leave Camelot? I am sure you could have found a way to learn what you needed at the Citadel".

Merlin breathed out and turned his head back to the ceiling "I never really found my place in Camelot Arthur, you were already training to be a Knight and I never quite understood my role. When my Magic began to grow and Gaius ran out of things to teach me, I asked Kilgharrah for help that's when he told me of our destiny but also, that he himself was ill-equipped to deal with my kind of power". He turned back to Arthur. "I was/am the first of my kind. After that I knew if I wanted to learn more about myself, if I wanted to wield my magic effectively and become the ally you required me to be, I would have to leave the confines of the Castle". He paused and smiled "I think it worked out for the best in the end". Arthur didn't quite agree with him, he still wondered if all that pain was worth it. When he looked at his brother now he sometimes missed that shy, clumsy little boy who conspired mischief with him and who couldn't stand even innocent animals hurt. This powerful, wise man and at times ruthless warrior that lay by his side now was still the same person just more… hardened?

"Only death will take me from your side again Arthur. Now come on we need rest to be battle ready tomorrow" he blew out their candles with magic and settled in for the night. It took some time for Arthur to fall asleep, he just watched his brother for a time, after a few moments he noticed Merlin grimace in pain and shift on to his stomach before falling still.

The morning came quickly and they were all dressed in their chainmail preparing for battle. "Hunith" Merlin looked to his adopted mother "Could you and Gwen please go and check if the villagers are prepared"? The look in his eyes told her all she needed to know. Both women nodded and left to do as requested. As soon as they left Merlin turned to address his brother and lover. "We use our power only in dire need, our physical defenses should suffice". Arthur nodded as did Morgana.

They lay in wait for the enemy, traps ready to be sprung. They watched as Kanen and his men enter the village border as the last one crosses, Arthur began to get anxious. Morgana! Spring the trap! he shouts through his mind.

The wood is too damp, Merlin I classify this as dire circumstance, Burne! In the next instance a blazing fire roared to life cutting off the mercenaries retreat and effectively trapping them within the confines of the village. Taking advantage of the chaos and confusion the Pendragons and their allies put their plan to action. Not giving the mercenaries a chance to recover the villagers descended on them full force with every weapon they had.

It was a struggle but they managed fairly well, Percival and Lancelot added to their number of skilled fighters considerably evening the odds. Merlin did not see any reason to deviate from his previous course of action, he only used his magic to protect the villagers from mercenary-sword. Morgana did the same as she fought, Arthur on the other had relied on his sword along, still unable to split his attention between magic and physical skill.

The battle lasted over an hour before the mercenaries began to make their retreat. Arthur was just pulling his sword from the chest of yet another slain opponent when a furious call of "PENDRAGON"! caused him and Merlin to shift their attention to Kanen who was advancing on Arthur sword raised. Their weapons clashed forcefully but the mercenaries anger overshadowed his skill. The fight, which had by now gathered an audience, ended quickly with Kanen wounded and left thrown on his backside.

Merlin's watched his brother as he turned to walked away from his defeated opponent, it was a moment of inattention, before any could react Kanen had managed to grab a discarded crossbow and fired at Arthur's back. "NO"! Merlin's head whipped back at the sound, he could not contain his disbelief, there slumped in Arthur's arms was Moras, an arrow bolt sticking out of his chest. There was another choking sound and his attention was brought back to Kanen just in time to see Morgana pulling her sword out of the mercenary's back.

The sun had set and the three weary warriors were found stood before the funeral pyre.

"He was a good, loyal servant" Arthur's despondent voice broke the silence.

"I should have been paying attention, I could have saved him".

"I should have as well, it was foolish to turn my back on Kenan the way I did".

Morgana who was standing beside Merlin couldn't be quiet any longer, she needed to put an end to this self-blame. "He was a hero and gave his life for a cause he felt, was worth more, the two of you need to respect his decision and now that he is gone, his sacrifice". Both men could say nothing more.

Immediately after the battle of Ealdor, the princes and their companions returned to the citadel, Lancelot and Percival rode back to Lord Tensen's lands.

Merlin was currently stood before his father's door, "come in" he heard and entered, Uther was sat at his desk reading a report but looked up to address his son "Merlin, I trust your campaign was successful".

"It was and there will be no mention of Pendragon involvement, as promised".

Uther nodded at his son "Where is your brother? And Morgana? I was not happy to learn she joined you on this mission".

"Arthur is well, as for Morgana, we both know getting in her way usually ends with her doing what she wants". Both men smiled fondly at that. "I need to speak with you concerning Morgana and my relationship".

Uther looked at his son, lay the paper he held onto the desk, and sat back, his fingers crossed before him as he studied his son, Merlin never minced word when he knew he could get what he wanted through asking upfront. "When I took Morgana in, I promised her mother, on her deathbed, I would never force her into an arrangement she did not wish for, which is why she is yet unwed".

"You wish to speak to her first to understand her heart"? Uther nodded to Merlin's question "And should she agree to the union"?

"You are aware it is against tradition for the second in line to marry before the crown prince, even should Morgana be willing".

"I am well versed in our traditions father. I am not asking to go against them, I am asking to formalize my affections for the lady Morgana so as to protect her honor". His father was on the verge of rising in protest of what Merlin was implying, but his son raised a hand to stop him. "I am only suggesting we are both young and we like to display our affection for each other rather freely. Not to mention I am possessive by nature".

"If I do this Merlin, you must assure me that you will treat Morgana with the utmost respect". The hard look Uther received from his son told the King all he required to know on the matter. Uther knew his son, in spite of the great chasm between them now, he knew he would never willfully hurt Morgana, he truly loved his ward. He remembered what it was like to be young and in love. Merlin was right, this arrangement would protect them both. A week later the proclamation was released.

His Royal Highness, Prince Merlin Pendragon and The Lady Morgana Le Fay are henceforth pronounced legally betrothed by the royal decree of Uther Pendragon, King of Camelot.