A/N: A slightly longer chapter this time. Thank you all for continuing to read and review! Sorry to those of you whose reviews I've not yet replied to; there's some weird glitch on my FanFiction where I can't access them, but I'm working on fixing it and please know that the feedback is so greatly appreciated!

CHAPTER 4

Leon's announcement sent the room into instant uproar and, surprisingly, it was Olaf who shouted everyone into silence. Arthur spared him a brief, grateful look and rose to his feet to corral everyone into order. He left Leon in charge and then he, Merlin and Gaius left the room to see Morgana for themselves.

She awaited them on the palace steps, surrounded by the guards and knights, whose swords pointed unwaveringly at any part of her they could reach.

"Morgana." Arthur felt Merlin tense beside him, no doubt prepared to spell-cast at a moment's notice. "What are you doing here?"

She stood proud, entirely unbothered by the weapons aimed at her throat, and Arthur noted a fading bruise at her hairline. It must have been from her fight with Merlin several weeks previous, when he had stolen the Formorroh's mother beast in the guise of the sorcerer Dragoon. "News reached me that magic is now legal in Camelot. I have come to petition for your forgiveness and my freedom."

"We can't trust her," Merlin said immediately. "Arthur, you know we can't."

And Arthur did know that, of course he did. But he had made a promise to his people that they would be allowed a fair hearing, a chance to be pardoned for the crimes they may have committed under the magic ban. What would it look like to the visiting Kingdoms if he broke that promise within mere weeks of making it? After all he had just said in the dining hall about how magic was not, itself, evil?

"You have powerful magic." Arthur said, after a few moments consideration. "How can we guarantee you won't use it against us?"

"Keep me under lock and key if you must, or a constant guard of your best knights. Whatever you think is suitable."

But Merlin was already shaking his head. "It's not enough. She's too powerful."

"Even for the mighty Emrys?" she sneered. "Since the ban was lifted, I've committed no crime. I have all I wanted. Magic is free. I have a right to petition for my own freedom too."

Arthur considered her for a few more moments, then turned to Gaius. "Look through your books. See if there's a spell to keep her magic contained."

Whilst Gaius went to search for a manner of keeping Morgana's magic contained, Arthur and Merlin escorted Morgana to her old chambers.

"Just like old times." Neither Merlin nor Arthur's expressions yielded and she sat at her old dressing table with a smirk. "There really is no need to worry. After all, if I wanted, you would already be dead."

"Don't count on it," Merlin growled, just as Guinevere entered with a plate of food. She stopped in the doorway, looking at her old mistress as if she were a ghost.

Morgana made to stand, but was prevented by Arthur's sword tip.

"Don't move."

"I only wanted to take that from her," Morgana said impatiently. "I don't need a maidservant."

"And I have no intention of being yours." Gwen came into the room, dropping the plate on the table. "I couldn't believe it when I heard you were back. I needed to see it for myself. Why are you here?"

"To ask forgiveness."

"Forgiveness?!" Gwen scoffed. "After all the things you have done? Framing me for sorcery, kidnapping my brother... you wanted me dead. Why do you hate me so much?"

Morgana's green glare softened. "I never hated you, Gwen. It was what I knew you were destined for."

"What does that mean?"

"My nightmares...I would see things. Things yet to come. I saw you marry Arthur and it- it made my blood boil." Morgana's expression twisted, but smoothed a moment later. "I know I cannot expect your forgiveness. I have no right to it. I was a fool, because it was never really the throne I wanted, but simply the freedom to be myself." She looked to Merlin, pleading. "Surely you can understand that?"

"I don't trust you," Merlin spat and then Gaius was back with a spell he thought might help and Guinevere swept from the chamber.

"It doesn't bind the magic," Merlin explained in Arthur's bedchamber late that night. He looked worn, whether from the complicated spell he had cast or the toll of a stressful day, Arthur wasn't sure. "It's more like an awareness. If she uses her magic, I'll know about it."

Arthur steepled his fingers, deep in thought. "Why weren't you alerted when she entered the citadel? Isn't that what those magical defences are for?"

"That's not how it works, Arthur." Merlin scrubbed agitatedly at tired eyes. "I know when someone crosses the barrier, but I can't differentiate who. When Olaf's contingent came I knew it was him because you said he travelled with thirty men. If an army came into the lower town I could tell you how many were crossing over, and then I could try and raise a barrier to stop them."

"Try to raise the barrier?"

Merlin managed half a smile. "I've never done it before. It should work."

"But you're certain about this spell?" Arthur enquired sharply. "The one you placed on her, you're sure that will work?"

"I've tested it. It works. If she casts magic, I'll know." Merlin rose from where he had been perched on Arthur's bed, and began to pace. "But she's up to something. She must be."

"Do you have any proof?" Arthur echoed their conversation about Alined from a few days before, watching Merlin walk back and forth, back and forth across his room. "Aside, of course, from her past deeds?"

"It just doesn't feel right."

"Your gut instinct doesn't serve as empirical evidence, Merlin." Arthur heaved a great sigh. "I believe we must let her petition."

Merlin stopped pacing, turning to face Arthur straight on. "You're too good a man to let someone go without a fair trial, aren't you? Even Morgana?"

"What sort of an example would I set if I were to judge her for her magic? It would weaken our position with the other Kingdoms and we must show a strong front for this Summit. You understand?"

"I do," Merlin replied shortly. "But that doesn't mean I have to like it."

"I'm not sure I like it either," Arthur commiserated. "Even so, it's what we must do. But Merlin, if you get any hint that she is performing magic, I give you permission to do whatever's necessary. If you have to kill her-"

"I won't hesitate."

Merlin should have known it was all too good to be true. Ever since his investiture, life had been almost like a dream. There were some challenges of course, certain adjustments to be made. He felt ill-at-ease in his new status as a noble and it was hard trying to adapt; his new clothes fit him perfectly, but felt wrong; his new chambers were too large and he missed waking up to the noises of Gaius pottering around downstairs. All of that he could deal with, but what was more disconcerting was the lingering doubt that played constantly on his mind, a sense that everything was about to collapse in on him at any moment. Yes, he certainly should have known.

"I won't hesitate."

His solemn words and the ease with which they had been delivered had taken Arthur aback. As he trudged wearily to his room, Merlin reminded himself it wasn't even a month since his magic had been revealed to King. It was one thing to be told all the things Merlin had done and sacrificed, but perhaps another to begin to see it in person; to know that Merlin had killed and would kill again without hesitation, if it meant Arthur were safe. In some ways, they were only just getting to know each other.

Morgana's chamber was beside Merlin's, and he nodded to Elyan and Percival who stood guard outside.

"You look tired, Merlin," Elyan told him as he passed. "Get some sleep. We have things covered here."

He forced a smile and waved them both goodnight, but as he finally made it into bed his heart was thumping. This was it. Morgana was about to ruin everything.

He considered going to Gaius, but decided the old physician would likely be asleep by now. Smothering a sharp pang of loss, he closed his eyes and willed sleep to come.

The next morning Merlin was late to breakfast, which was to be taken in the dining hall with Arthur and the other rulers of the Five Kingdoms. He had an apology ready, but forgot it entirely when he entered the hall to see Morgana seated between Olaf and Bayard. She looked nothing like the gaunt, haunted figure Merlin had come to know her as. Her hair was brushed and plaited and, in her old green dress, she looked so much like her old self that for a moment Merlin could only gawp, convinced she had cast a spell to reverse time.

Of course it was Arthur who sat at the head of the table, not Uther. "Merlin, stop dithering and come sit down!"

"Sorry I'm late." Merlin went to his seat - noting gladly that it had been moved to Arthur's right hand side - and conversation around the table continued. In an undertone beneath this, he questioned Arthur, "What is she doing here?"

Arthur reached for his cup, using the movement as an excuse to subtly gesture to Gwaine and Leon stood in one corner; Morgana's guard. "Alined. He started reminiscing about the wonderful girl he once knew, said what a shame it was that Morgana couldn't join us. The others joined in, even Bayard expressed a desire to see her."

"You should have refused them." Merlin hid his comment in his own raised cup. "It's too dangerous."

"It's dangerous wherever she is." Arthur replied glumly and Merlin was forced to admit he had a point.

"Lord Olaf, how is Lady Vivian?" Morgana was asking the King of Amata. "She was a good friend of mine, I hoped she might be accompanying you."

Olaf's expression darkened. "She could not join us, my lady. The last time she was in Camelot a spell was cast on her so she would fall in love with Prince- my apologies - King Arthur."

Morgana tutted sympathetically. "But surely now magic is coming back, the enchantment might be lifted?"

At this, Olaf looked uncertain. "I- I did not think there was a cure, my Lady, save for a true love's kiss..."

"Well of course there is! I could cast it myself- well." She looked to Merlin with a deferential nod. "Unless the new Court Sorcerer should prefer to handle such things."

"There is no spell to lift such a curse," Merlin snapped. "If there were, I would have told King Olaf already."

Morgana smiled over-sweetly. "It is complicated magic, it's true. I myself only know of it from my education in the Old Religion."

"You are a priestess of the Old Religion?" It was Bayard who said this, visibly impressed. "I didn't think there were any left."

"Perhaps you made the wrong choice," Alined suggested snidely to Arthur, whose knuckles were white where he clenched his fork. "A High Priestess of the Old Religion would grant you respect throughout all our Kingdoms!"

"But Lady Morgana." Olaf ignored this all completely. "Are you saying Vivian could finally be rid of this dreadful enchantment? She would be herself again?"

Morgana laid her hand on his. "I shall do all in my power to help her. Oh, but-" she stuttered and looked to Arthur, suddenly unsure. "That depends, of course, on my brother's ruling. I'm presently not permitted to use my magic."

"Not permitted to use your magic?" Alined laughed derisively. "But isn't that why we're all here, to see the good magic can do?"

"My sister has committed treason on multiple occasions." Arthur's tone was pure ice, and any pretence of a pleasant breakfast dissipated. "I have permitted her to join us in respect for the woman she once was. The woman I hope she might be again. But trust me, gentlemen, when I say that we cannot take her trustworthiness for granted."

The rest of the meal passed in subdued silence, although towards the end Olaf spoke again to Morgana.

"I never thought that magic might be used for good as it has evil." Where his looks to Merlin had always been full of thunder and ill-will, he looked to Morgana as though she were the first beam of sunshine after a long and difficult winter. "You have truly changed the way I see things, Lady Morgana."

"There is no evil in sorcery," Merlin piped up, eyes drilling into Morgana's as his voice echoed around the table. "Only in the hearts of men."

"Well, both of us have used our magic for things I'm sure we regret now," Morgana conceded. "But perhaps hearts can change?"

"For my daughter's sake, I hope so," Olaf said fervently, and it was clear for all to see that he had well and truly been taken in by her charm.

"No matter how it happened, at least Olaf is more in favour of magic now."

After a long day of tiresome Summit negotiations, Merlin had begged off what he was sure would be another difficult dinner with the royals, to come visit Gaius instead. Gilli had been sent out to deliver medicines, so it was just the physician and his ward at the dinner table.

"But think of all she's done, Gaius," Merlin insisted. "She can't have just changed."

Gaius placed a bowl of steaming stew in front of Merlin. "Eat. I never imagined that becoming a noble would make you thinner, what with all those feasts."

Merlin shovelled his food down, and spoke around a mouthful, "All I can think about is what she's going to do, how this is all going to go wrong."

Gaius ate slowly, pondering the issue. "I cannot see what alternative Arthur has. He can't go back on his promise to give all magic-users a fair hearing, and until the Summit is concluded there won't be any opportunity. You know she can't use her magic without alerting you. What more can you do?"

"Nothing," Merlin grumbled. "Nothing whatsoever."

He was back in his bedchamber, about to retire, when a knock sounded at his door. This had never happened before.

"Enter?"

"Good, you're back." It was Arthur. "You sorted everything with Iseldir?"

Iseldir and the Druid camp was Merlin's excuse for missing that evening's dinner. "Yes, it's... sorted."

"Good. Very good." Arthur wrung his hands together. "Merlin, there's a hunt tomorrow."

"Oh joy." Merlin's eyes glinted and his room straightened itself out - loose clothes flew into a pile, the curtains drew themselves and the corner of his bedclothes flipped over ready for him to crawl in. He had to admit, this bed was a vast improvement on his old one. "I won't have to kill anything, will I?"

"As if you'd manage," Arthur chortled. "No, you won't have to hunt. Actually I- I think you should stay here."

"What?" The feeling was a little like missing a stair on your way down. "Was this because I missed dinner?"

Arthur hesitated. "The dinner was... quite a success, actually. I think Olaf is finally starting to soften his stance. And, I hate to say it, but we have Morgana to thank."

That was more like missing the whole staircase. "You let her come to dinner?"

"Of course not!" Arthur slapped Merlin's arm in that irksome, meant-to-be-reassuring way of his, the kind of roughhousing he used with the knights. "All I meant was that her offer at breakfast to lift Vivian's enchantment was well-timed. It's helped convince everyone of the benefits of magic."

"Whereas I convince everyone of the opposite?"

"You know that's not what I meant-"

"There is no way to lift the enchantment Arthur!" Merlin exclaimed. "She's lying, just as she always does."

"Even if she is, there's an obvious reason, isn't there?" Merlin looked blank and so Arthur went on, "She wants magic returned to the Five Kingdoms as much as we do. I don't doubt she may still harbour other motives, I am not saying we have to trust her completely. But, in this instance, our goals align. What has she to gain by sabotaging these talks?"

Merlin narrowed his eyes. "Is she attending the hunt tomorrow in my place?"

"Merlin, unlike you, I am not a complete idiot," Arthur said drily. "The hunt will be an opportunity to relax the others before tomorrow's negotiations. And given you and Olaf don't exactly get along-"

"He hates me."

"-I just thought," Arthur continued doggedly. "That you might appreciate the chance to skip out on a hunt which you'd hate, and instead stay at the castle and keep a close watch on Morgana."

Merlin couldn't argue with that, though he dearly wanted to. "Whatever you think best, Sire."

Arthur frowned at the unusually formal address. "This is what's best Merlin. There's no need to sulk. A whole day off - it's more than you ever got as a servant!"

As Arthur left, Merlin found it strange how much he really missed his days of being a servant.