Thank you for reading. I hope you'll enjoy the next chapter.

Doenja: Thank your for taking the time to comment. I'm glad your enjoying the story.

Things mover quickly in Camelot after the arrival of Morgana and Luke. A little after the sun had risen on the next morning two small groups left the city heading in almost opposite directions. One that included Gwaine and Elyan left to search out groups of druids so that they could ask for their aid. It was not a task either wanted but it was a crucial one. If Camelot was going stop an invasion then they were going to need aid. Apart form the very practical need for larger numbers there was also the unspoken fact that this meeting with the druids was the first official such discussion between Camelot and the druids. It was going to set the tone for the future relationship between the two groups. There was a lot at stake.

The other group made up of Lancelot and Percival would returned to the small cove and the ships they hoped would still be there. At least one of them would stay there until the ships moved one way or the other. It was the task that had the potential to change from the most boring to the most exciting in seconds. so the calmest and most leave head of the knight were chosen for the task. With this came the confusing and contradictory feeling of being board and wanting something to happen, but dreading that it would at the same time.

Merlin had held Morgana in his arms as he felt her taking in shaky breaths. Trying to slow her hearth rate and get her breathing steady again. He didn't know how long they remained like this. When Morgana seemed to have calmed herself Merlin reluctantly pulled back so he could met her eyes. They showed fear and pain. Without words he silently asked her to tell him what she had seen. It took a long pause before she, in a low voice told him what she had seen.

More blood, more death. The same as before but clearer this time. More detail. Thanks to Merlin's borrowed magic. This time she had looked closer and longer than before. This time she saw the face of the fallen knight that had made her heart sink to her feet at only seeing the back of their head. It was Mordred.

Her worst fears where true. Fortunately Morgana had had a lot of experience with these visions to know that there were never exactly what they seemed to be. There was nothing to say for certain that Mordred was going to die a violent and bloody death in the battle to come. She saw the stains of blood on his bright red cloak, she did not see any wound on his body. Whatever of the old gods caused her visions, choose what she saw and when wanted, for whatever reason for her to fear for Mordred's life. To act rashly to protect him. This would inevitably lead to a greater tragedy. She could not let that happen. Would never let that happen. So after she told Merlin all that she had seen she made him promise not to tell anyone else.

The look in her eyes when she asked him to keep what she had seen between them almost broke Merlin's heart. There was such a deep pain in them that Mordred could be in danger, that he might be badly hurt or killed. He knew how much she cared for him. She tried to push this pain down and not be controlled by it. He admired her willpower to hide the overwhelming emotion as much as she was. So he didn't hesitate to agree to what she asked. Deep down he worried that he might never be able to deny her anything when she looked him in the eyes like this. Relief was now what he saw most clearly in her eyes. They both knew that it would not be as simple as not talking about it, not telling Mordred. They had both been burned by the visions and prophecies they saw and heard in the past. They wanted to stop the destructive cycle. Not be victims to fate anymore. Morgana would watch over Mordred and keep him from danger as best she could, but she had to trust that he would protect himself and she knew exactly how to do that.

Merlin as he looked him to her eye that showed not just relief now but appreciation. It was this look form her, not the fact that she had took his hand in hers as she asked him to keep what she saw between them, that made him realise how close they where. Made his heart race and for a flush to reach his face. Swiftly and rather inelegantly he stood up and backed away towards the door as he said a hasty and muddled goodbye. Morgana looked more confused than anything else. Why Merlin was acting so strangely she didn't know. They had always been comfortable with each other. More so than they should given everything that had passed between them. When the door closed behind him she lay her head down again onto the pillow. Staring up at the celling she thought over what she was going to say to Mordred tomorrow. She had to choose her words very carefully. The witch felt sure sleep would not find her again that night, not in a meaningful way again so she lay awake staring at the ceiling. Her mind trying to rationalise what she was going to do.

Before the two groups of knight set out from the city Morgana made her way as quietly as she could to the lower levels of the castle. The Knights walked back and forth around the corridors of the lower leaves of the castle, their domain. Their home. Those that would be leaving shortly in either of the two groups prepared for their departure. Those that would be staying also rose early wanting to feel that they too were doing something as well. Morgana did her best to remain hidden as she waited for the person she was looking for to appear. Finally she saw him.

Mordred was leaving the large room that the knights ate their meals in, his back to her. Fortunately he was alone. Moving quickly from her hiding place, she grabbed hold of his arm and pulled the younger man into the store room next to the knights dinning room. Coving his mouth with her other hand she asked him with her eyes to stay quite. He looked confused and a little irritated, but he did as she silently asked. Slowing she removed her hand from his mouth and let his arm go.

"What did you see." He asked in a low voice.

Like Merlin the night before Mordred knew right away that what was troubling Morgana was something she had seen in a dream. She didn't want to lie to him, so she gave a slight shake of her head. Hoping that would be enough to end his questions on that subject.

"It's about Kara."

Once she got just these three words out she had to cover Mordred's mouth again, more firmly this time to stop the barrage of questions she knew he would fire at her. She also did not trust his ability to keep his voice quiet anymore. Most of his questions she also knew she couldn't answer. Saying just what she had already felt like a betray of Kara's trust. If it protected Mordred then the younger women wouldn't abject, but it was still not Morgana's place to reveal what someone had purposefully kept form someone else.

"She is safe, do not fear." He relaxed at her words, so she cautiously removed her hand again. "She's in Avalon." She added quickly before she lost her nerve.

Morgana then went on to tell Mordred the least she could about what Kara had been doing since she parted with him. That still explained what he needed to know. As she spoke she saw many different emotions play across the young knights face. Mostly he seemed to be relived that he now knew where Kara was and that she was safe. She hoped that he could not see the guilt she felt show on her face. It was not her place to tell Mordred where Kara was. Even if she felt it was the right thing to do, even if it was to protect his life. There was still a reason that Kara had chosen to part with Mordred and not let him know where she was. They loved each other that was clear, but Kara needed space and she deserved that.

In the silence that followed Morgana words Mordred looked beyond her, conflict clear on his face and in his body. He wanted to go, to run to her. He also wanted to stay, felt he had to stay. He was a knight of Camelot, had spoken a oath to be loyal and protect the kingdom. Now, the first time the kingdom was in danger, needed him he wanted to turn and run. What was worse was that deep down he didn't really feel as guilty about his conflicted feelings as he felt he should.

"You have to do what you think is right and damn the consequences." Morgana said gently as she placed a comforting hand on Mordred's shoulder.

He didn't say anything. Just gave a slight nod and left. He had a lot to think over.

Morgana left the store room after him, turning left when he had turned right. As she turned she saw Gaius standing a few feet away. in his hands he was holding two packs that she assumed were filled with basic medical items that the groups heading out shortly would take with them. His grey eyes looked on her with understanding and sympathy. While he couldn't know what they had spoken of he knew how protectively Morgana felt toward Mordred.

"It is a terrible pain watching those you most want to keep from harm head sight into danger."

The old man knew that the witch before him wouldn't believe him, but he was speaking about her as well as Merlin and others. More than almost anyone else Gaius had most wanted to protect Morgana from the danger and pain he knew she could not avoided once her magic was reveled. Unlike Merlin or Arthur she had arrived in the castle to live having no family and he wanted to be that for her. Make her feel safe here, in her new home. In trying to do this he had turned her away from him. That could never be undone. It was why he was more vocal in voicing his worries when Merlin, as he always seemed to do, got himself into a dangerous situation.

"Excruciating." Morgana agreed.

"That is a more accurate word."

Slowly he lifted his arms, weighed down by the packs. Offering the queen before him all the comfort he could. To his great surprise Morgana only hesitated for a second before she moved forward. Wrapping her arms around his chest as she rested her head on his shoulder. He didn't try and offer any comforting or reassuring words, they were just words. They wouldn't change how she felt. As quickly as she accepted the hug she pulled back. Offering a tight smile before she left the physician to his task.

Not long after this Morgana and Luke met with Arthur and Gwen in the king's private office. Luke had been as Morgana expected him to be, mostly silent but observant. He offered no words of advice or insight. There was no doubt though that he heard and took in everything that went on around him more keenly than everyone else. Before they met with the king and queen Morgana asked him directly what he made of the situation. What he said surprised Morgana greatly. It was the first time that she had seen him express any sign of emotion. Spoke openly about how he felt, what he thought. There was a deep weariness to him words, that seeped into his whole body as she spoke of the repetitive cycle of war.

"There will always be a new threat, new dangers on the horizon. What little you may have there will always be someone that wishes to take it form you. Sometimes just because they cane. It is evitability."

As he spoke Morgana felt her body being worn down by the same bone deep weariness she saw in Luke.

"Though it seems pointless." He went on. "We can never by passive and allow such a wrong to be unchallenged."

There was no burst of strength or degermation, but Morgana didn't doubt his conviction to what he said. It gave her reassurance to know that she had someone with such endurance and fortitude by her side.

Arthur and Gwen were standing behind the table waiting for them when they entered the room after a single knock. The king was on edge hating having to be still and wait to act. The queen stood a little behind her husband leaning against the wall. The two men in the room may not have noticed but Morgana did. Gwen while she stood up straight in her blue satin dress her hands were held protectively over her stomach. She had suspected her fellow queen and sister was with child but had not been sure. She was also sure that Arthur had not come to the realisation that she had yet. If there was not so much else going on that demanded his attention she was equally sure that he would have figured it out from the start. Looking at her brother now, seeing the worry and pressure imbed itself into his face she felt deep sympathy for him and Gwen. That such a joyous event was being overshadowed like this with such darkness. He would feel such guilt when he found out. That guilt would lead him to spoil this child excessively. The very model of a doting father.

There was greetings as everyone moved to sit down in the seats around the table. No one wanted to drag this out. Morgana cautioned again that there was no guarantee that she would be able to see anything of importance. Arthur didn't say anything in response, he just gave her a look that said he understood but he needed her to do it anyway.

Taking in a deep breath Morgana closed her eyes and did her best to clear her mind. Clear it from the guilt she felt about what she had said to Mordred. Worry about what he would do with what she told him. Fear that for the first time her vision had in fact been as simple and clear as it seemed, not some obscured distortion of the truth. The the young knight would die. The happiness she felt for the new life that would soon come. Sadness that such a bright shinny thing like that was being overshadowed by such an unknown darkness. She pushed it all aside and focused on the darkness she could see, on the nothing.

Alba had give the new queen some advice of how to try and control or at least focus her visions on to the present. She told Morgana to clear her mind and then try and envision herself lifting up into the air. So that she could look down on her location. Then to try and have her mind travel over the land in the direction of what she wished to see. This of course would be easier if she only wanted to see what was happening in another part of the building she was in or even the same village or city. For her first real try she was aiming to see many miles away people she didn't know. Nothing like a challenge to make things more interesting.

Time seemed to drag on for everyone in the room with their eyes open. For Morgana it all speed by rapidly as she saw the city disappear into the distance her as she kingdom of Camelot hurtled by below. When she reached the cove it felt like she had run into a wall. Her body sitting in a seat with three pairs of eyes on her didn't so much as flinch. She took a second to steady her gaze before she tried to push further.

The ships remained where they had last been seen. The water blurred her vision. It almost slipped through her finger like the water itself. Finding a single spot, the nearest ship to anchor herself she paused and then pushed on again. The ship was almost empty most of the men aboard remained below deck. Chancing a glance up and beyond she saw the same was true of the ships nearest her.

With every step she took forward, every time she pushed a little further Morgana worried that it would all vanish in to black. So far she had been lucky but this was the most importance push. Fortunately the ship she had honed in on seemed to be the flagship. Everything became a little unclear like she was viewing it through a unclean window as she slowing moved through the deck of the flagship heading towards the captains quarters. The faces of the men she passed by were unclear but she could make out the outline their weapons. At first she wasn't sure what she was hearing, if it was coming from what she saw or where her body was. She couldn't make out any words but it was the men on the ship she was seeing. This took her by surprise and it almost broke her concentration.

The captain's quarters where empty but the desk before her had a number of unfurled maps upon it. Exactly what she would expect. The map on the top of the pile was one of the coastline of Gawant, which included the small cove that represented the furthers northern point of the kingdom of Camelot. Again exactly what everyone would have expected. Half hidden under this map was a more significant map. A map of Camelot. Which there would be no need for unless the fleet meant to come ashore. Before Morgana could investigate further she felt a blow it her from behind that knocked the wind from her.

Her eyes shout open as she tried to catch her breath. Arthur was standing next her now with his hand on her shoulder. Not wanting to keep them in suspense any longer she quickly told them what she had seen. It was nothing that they hadn't expected, it simple confirmed it. Luke seemed to think that she had been pulled form her vision by coming into contact with something in that vision. Someone, the captain most likely returning to his quarters.

With more hast and conviction now that their suspicions were confirmed they all quickly left to take up the tasks they could best do to aid them going forward. Luke made his way to the training grounds and the remaining knights to make plans for how best to combine their skills with that of the druids that they hoped would soon join their numbers. Gwen and Morgana left Arthur to join Gaius in gathering the materials that they would need to best treat the wounded. Arthur stayed where he was needing a little time to think after having his worst fears for the situation confirmed.

As they left the room Morgana and Gwen saw Merlin walking towards them. Gwen gave him a tight smile. Glad that Arthur was going to have someone to talk trough all of this with. Someone he was not afraid to get irritated with. She knew that while her husband trusted her fully he made a effort to not unburden himself to her. Wanting, like she did to have their relationship be a safe and happy space for both of them. Where they could just be themselves. It was unfair of them to put all of the burden of being mostly the first person they both spoke to about what troubled them onto Merlin. He didn't seem to mind, but it didn't make the queen fell any less guilty. She smiled as Merlin passed and he returned it. Morgana didn't smile at him but she did met his eyes. He turned away from her gaze quickly and passed by them. Morgana didn't have the mental compacity to try and understand why Merlin was continuing to avoid speaking to or interacting with her in public, when she had so much else to keep her mind occupied.

When Merlin entered the kings office after a giving a courtesy knock he found Arthur slumped in his chair behind the desk. With a sigh he lifted his head to look at Merlin. He didn't question why the other man was here now. He assumed he had found out that Morgana was going to try and see what she could in the morning in a smaller group. Merlin always seemed to know everything that went on the castle. It was one of the things Arthur relied on him form. As Arthur began to tell him what they had learned Merlin further entered the room and sat in the chair Morgana had been sitting in.

"Will it ever end."

Merlin at first didn't understand what Arthur was asking. "There's always going to be some threat-"

"I should have left years ago."

For the second time in just a few minutes Arthur confused Merlin. "What do you mean." He asked as he was not able to make sense of this.

"Before Morgana took the throne, I thought...maybe Gwen and I come leave and have a life together somewhere else."

"You would have just left."

"Wouldn't things have been better for some if I had. Gwen and I would have had children by now. Morgana would have the throne and power to return magic."

Merlin couldn't argue Arthur's point. Things could have been so much easier, even better in some ways if Arthur had choice to leave and live his life with Gwen away form the city and the throne. Uther he was sure would not be alive still if Arthur and Gwen had left the city back then. Merlin was not entirely sure that he would still be alive himself. Morgana and Morgause would have no reason to keep him alive. Maybe after the shock had worn off and things calmed the people would align with their new queen eventually. Looking back it did seem that somethings may have been easier, better even. Things were never that simple though.

"There would have just been something else."

"There's always something else."

Again Merlin couldn't argue Arthur's point. There was always something else to contend with. That just seemed to be a part of life.

Thank you for reading. I hope that you enjoyed this newest chapter. I've felt that there's been a lot of talking in the story so far and wanted to get to the action. I know that this chapter is all over the place, but I hope you were able to follow it. If there is anything that doesn't matter make sense or things that I've forgotten to address then please let me know. Also if you have any advice or examples of writing good action I would love to hear it.

As always any comments, feedback or ideas that you may have are very welcome. I love to hear from you and have your in put into the story. It really helps me in writing the story.