He walked down to the dungeons. He knew where she was being held and he also knew what he was likely to expect when he found her. Arthur had wanted to come with him but he knew it was best he did this alone, in her eyes he had failed her. In every lifetime he witnessed in the crystals; in one way or another, he always failed her and always lost her because his duty to Albion came first. Hopefully this time his faith and love for her would be enough to get through and bring her back from the precipice.

He took a deep breath and turned the key, the door unlocked and he stepped in. He looked her in the eye, righteous anger blazed within her emerald gaze. As he closed the door behind him he heard her voice, quiet at first. "How could you?". She asked furiously, "How could you just stand there and say nothing while that tyrant destroyed the life of yet another innocent"?! He watched her for a few moments in silence and as he did she took a steady breath, head held high she added "I do not regret my actions. Someone needed to stand up to him and if you and Arthur are too cowardly to do it then I will". This is why he fell in love with her, not her beauty but her sprite, her kindness, her willingness to fight for those unable to fight for themselves. But Morgana's idealism had a tendency to instigate rash action and blind her to the long term consequences.

Merlin walked towards her and quietly sank to his knees so that they could speak eye to eye. "I love you". was the first thing he said, he needed her to understand. "Openly opposing Uther will get us nowhere, other than portray us as fools or worse inexperienced and weak. I empathize with how you feel, I understand what it's like, seeing our people tortured and murdered for no fault other than possessing a gift from nature itself". He brought his hand up and gently stroked her cheek with his knuckles, brushing some of the dirt away. "Uther's time will set soon but we need to be patient love. I was prepared to defend Tom before father in open court but his escape sealed his fate. Please, Morgana, do not let your anger cloud your good judgment and force your hand. Comprehend that such actions may have devastating consequences".

"How can you be patient when innocents are slaughtered before you. You have the power to stop it but won't". Anger and disappointment clear in her voice.

"Understand this we are not trying to save one sorcerer Morgana, we are trying to ensure a time when they won't need saving! An end to the prejudice and hatred towards magic... That takes more than helping smuggle one or two innocent prisoners out of the dungeons, it takes a change in the very minds and hearts of people and that takes time to build. Please have faith in Arthur. Have faith in me". He emphasized, "together we are working hard to build a kingdom that will be just and fair for all".

Morgana looked away from him, there had to be a faster to achieve this dream, she didn't understand how he and Arthur could continue to keep their silence in the face of Uther's ongoing atrocities. "Guards" she lifted her head at the summons. "Arthur and I managed to placate the king, we promised him on your behalf that you would never oppose him in public again".

"You and Arthur are better men than your father could ever hope to be". She said as she was released from the shackles that bound her. Merlin took her bruised wrists into his hands and kissed them each in turn before escorting her to her chambers.

Later that same evening Morgana the Mage stone clutched in hand left the citadel, Tauran had threatened Gwen for it not knowing it was Morgana who held it now, she had found it when she had gone to check on Gwen, not knowing she was in Gaius' chambers. She would not allow any more innocents be harmed. Pulling her cloak higher she moved towards Tauren's designated meeting point. "Lady Morgana, I was expecting your maid, she has something of mine". The sorcerer's voice came from behind her and she whipped around to face the man. Three swordsmen accompanied him surrounding the lady their weapons pointed at her. "However, the King's ward is an equally handsome prize".

The enemy sorcerer drew his sword, ready to strike her down where she stood. "Wait! I have what you seek and am willing to give it to you but I seek an alliance in exchange. I want Uther dead just as much as you do".

"What would cause Uther's beloved ward to be so willing to betray him and Camelot? Why should we believe you? For all we know, you could be a spy and your presence here a trap"? The enemy sorcerer studied her with suspicion.

"This is not a trap, I assure you and as for being Uther's beloved... This is how he treats those he calls allies and friends". She pulled back her sleeves showing the sorcerer her chaffed and bruise red wrists. "I am doing this for Camelot, I want to rid it of its mad king who can see no further than his paranoia and prejudice".

"That is what we want as well, we intend to use the stone's ability of transmutation to create the supply of gold we need, to gain entry into the citadel and into the King's chambers".

"Why waste your time making grand complicated plans when there is an easier way to Uther Pendragon" Morgana replied menacingly.

"And what is it you suggest then My Lady".

"I will convince Uther to accompany me on a pilgrimage to my father Gorlos' grave, situated in the northern plains. In two days' time you will have this opportunity to strike him down".

Unknown to Morgana and the mercenaries, Camelot's youngest heir was not far, listening, hidden behind an old oak trunk. Merlin stood still hearing his betrothed plot his father's assassination. His face was impassively tilted skyward as his head hit the trunk of the evergreen in despair.

He sat at the writing desk in her chambers, elbows on the table, joint palms resting against his grim lips awaiting her return. He needed to make Morgana see that her actions, though stemming from the purest of intentions, were rash and irresponsible, but he knew her well enough to know that opposing her forcefully would only make her more defensive and stalwart to her chosen course. He had to maintain his calm.

So he waited and watched quietly as she entered, throwing off her cloak on to her vanity chair, sat down and closed her eyes, taking a deep calming breath. As she opened them, she caught him reflected in the obsidian before her and rose slowly to face him. Merlin sat back, his face impassive, "I was looking for you".

Morgana replied with a hesitant smile "I went for a stroll through the lower town, wanted to clear my head". Merlin let out a short huff of laughter, got off the chair he was sitting in and moved slowly closer to her. As he stood a few feet before her, he let his back, rest against the wooden post of her bed.

"So tell me what was it about Tauren's revolutionary ways that made his plans so much more attractive to my own". He said it evenly, impassive eyes never leaving her startled emerald ones. He acted as if her betrayal was expected as if it didn't hurt him to his very core.