Chapter 1

Thanks for reading this story.

New story, read, enjoy and review.

Had she made the right choice? Giving Morgana the choice of taking or not the poison, was it really the right choice? Emma had been asking herself this question every day for an entire year. Would they be able to ever find Morgana again? She did not know. No one did. Everyone had hoped so. Uther, more than anyone, wanted her to be found. He had never stopped sending out search parties in order to rescue his ward. Men had fallen, many had not returned and yet, he kept sending men out.

His son, Arthur and his manservant, Merlin were always in the first lines. Emma, who was pursuing her apprenticeship as a physician, did not accompany them. She regretted not going. What would happen if they ever were confronted to Morgause? And if they found Morgana, would she be friend or foe? Those were questions she kept asking herself. Questions that she would soon have answers too.

At last, Morgana had returned to Camelot. Or rather, Arthur had found and brought her back to Camelot. Emma was to assist Gaius on that day. He examined her, once she was brought to her chambers. Emma stood behind Gaius, silently. She observed Morgana. Lady Morgana seemed healthy physically, cared for. However, she seemed wary of the people surrounding her. Frightened of what may come next for her.

"You need to rest." Gaius said, once he finished examining her.

Morgana had not said a word. Simply nodded at his words. "I'll stay with her." Guinevere said to Gaius and Emma.

"Call me when she wakes, Guinevere." Gaius said back.

He and Emma walked out of her chambers. They hardly walked a few steps before they were stopped by Uther.

"How is she?" The King asked worriedly.

"She'll be fine." Gaius smiled at him.

"There's nothing wrong with her?"

"Nothing physical." Gaius sighed.

"May I see her?" Uther asked eagerly.

"Best wait till morning." Gaius advised him.

"Yes…Of course." He nodded quickly. Emma and Gaius slightly bowed to him before taking their leave. "Gaius." Uther called. Emma and Gaius both turned to him. "Thank you." He said his voice full of emotions.

Emma followed Gaius through the hallways of castle, all the way back to their chambers. All the while, she was thinking of the consequences of Morgana's being back would be. Not only for her but for everyone around her. What would her return mean for the future of Albion? Would her return compromise Albion's future? Would it bring destruction and chaos? Would she give in to the darkness? Emma could only hope that it was not too late. She could only hope that Morgana was truly saved from Morgause's grasp. She could only hope.

"Did you talk to her?" Merlin asked as soon as they stepped into their chambers.

"She was sleeping." Gaius answered.

"Did she say anything about Nellie?" He asked again.

"Nothing as yet." Gaius put away his satchel.

"Well, she's going to."

"You don't know that." Emma exhaled sitting down.

"Aren't you worried of what she might say to Uther?" Merlin asked, sitting across from her.

"I fear what she may say. And how she would say it?" Emma replied. "I fear of what her truth may be today. She's been away from her friends for an entire year. Morgause may have twisted the truth in her favor. And Morgana may have believed it. I don't know what would come of it." Emma looked up at her brother. "I'm not worried, Merlin. I'm terrified."

Sleep did not come easily that night. Emmanuelle could not sleep. Thoughts of what tomorrow may bring kept turning into her head. Morgana had willingly taken the poison but Emma had lied about the antidote. There was none. She, too, had twisted the truth in her favor. To save Camelot, the people she loved but she twisted the truth nonetheless. She twisted it to serve her own purpose. No matter how noble it may have been. In some ways, she was no different from Morgause.

Emmanuelle rose with the sun. Her chest was crushed under the weight of her anxiety. She did not regret what she had done to save Camelot. But she couldn't help but fear what Uther may do to her or what Arthur may think of her. Was it the better choice? It was the only choice she had. She had yet to deal with the consequences of her actions.

"Nellie." Guinevere called her as Emma was tending to her chores.

"Morning, Guinevere." Emma smiled at her friend. "How's Lady Morgana this morning?"

"Better it seemed. But still recovering." Guinevere smiled back.

"Glad to hear it. Should she need anything…"

"That's why I'm here." Gwen retorted. "Morgana wishes to speak with you in her chambers."

Emma froze at her words. Her heart was hammering in her chest, there was a ringing in her ears. Was this the moment where she would lose everything?

"I'll go right away." Emma managed to let out. "Thank you, Guinevere."

What would Morgana do? Would she accuse her of treason? Would she take revenge against the maidservant? Or would she forgive her? Emma dreadfully walked to Morgana's chambers. As she got closer, it became harder and harder to breathe. Faster than she would have liked she found herself standing outside of Morgana's chambers. The moment of truth had finally arrived. Was Morgana friend or foe?

She walked in. Morgana was sitting on the edge of her bed. Morgana turned her gaze to Nellie as soon as the maidservant stepped in.

"Lady Morgana." The maid bowed. "I'm glad to see that you are faring better."

Morgana stood up. "You lied to me." She said. Nellie looked up and swallowed the lump in her throat. "There was no antidote to the poison."

"I lied. There wasn't." Nellie nodded. "I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"I wanted you to believe that you would survive this." Nellie breathed out.

"And I did." Morgana walked towards. "Morgause saved me as you said. How did you know?"

"She did for you what I would have done for my brother." The maid's eyes starting to well up with tears. "I'm sorry it came to this, Morgana. If there was another way to save Camelot, I would have made that choice instead."

Morgana hugged the maid. "I know." She smiled. "You did what you did to protect your friends and your family. I would have done the same."

"I just wish I could have saved you too." Nellie said against her neck after she wrapped her arms around Uther's ward. "I'm glad that you are finally home."

"You are a good friend, Nellie."

A heavy weight had lift off of her shoulders, lift off of her chest. Morgana had no intention to reveal Nellie's action, the part that the maid had played in her disappearance. It seemed as though the Lady had forgave her. She was more a friend than she was a foe. And Nellie was willing to believe it. Although, she felt lighter now that Morgana was back. She still felt this anxiety. Morgause was still a threat. And there was no telling of the damage that she may have caused. Of the lies she may have told to Morgana.

Nellie wanted nothing more than to believe that Morgana was back and was still a friend to Camelot. That she truly meant them no harm. But she was no fool. She needed more proof. She would keep a close eye on the young ward.

The day after, Nellie was doing her rounds with Gaius as they stopped by the King's chambers.

"How is Morgana?" He asked the physician as he was getting ready for the day.

"She seems to have made a remarkable recovery, my Lord." Gaius answered.

"She was always like that as a child. Very brave. She inherited much from her father."

"Gorlois was a great man."

"Indeed." He agreed hesitantly. And Emma frowned at that. "I trust she will be well enough to attend the feast."

"I see no reason why not." Gaius said.

"Thank you, Gaius."

Emma was worried still about Morgana's allegiance. Was it to her friends? Or was it to Morgause? Emma wanted to trust the Lady. She had been kind, she had shown to have a kind heart. Ready to fight for those who couldn't. She stood up for Gwen on more than one occasion against Uther, against Arthur. Emma knew that in Morgana's heart darkness and light co-existed. But which one had prevailed during her captivity?

The feast was held that night. All the nobles and the Knights sat together, celebrating Morgana's return. It was a moment of joy after an entire year of anguish. After an entire year of search parties. Lady Morgana was finally home. Emma had tried to enjoy it as much as her brother. As much as Gwen. But she still felt this fear that Morgana may have not truly returned.

"Standing here, seeing so many happy faces." Uther stood up. "Seems almost like a dream. I can tell you I have not felt like this in a long time."

"What? Drunk?" Arthur joked.

"Drunk with happiness." Uther hit him lightly. Emma chuckled in spite of the fear she felt. "I would have searched the entire word, the seas, the skies, the stars, for that smile." He continued. "To have it stolen from me was like a blade to my heart. Morgana there are no words. You mean more to me than you will ever know." His voice was full of emotions. He truly was happy to have her back in Camelot. "To Lady Morgana."

"To Lady Morgana." The rest of the assembly cheered.

Emma only hoped he would not come to regret her return.

Unfortunately, the night's celebrations had been cut short. As guards had found the King, crying and screaming at the foot of a well.

"What could have made him like this?" Arthur asked Gaius.

"I have no idea." Gaius answered.

"Gaius, he lying on the ground, crying." Arthur reminded him.

"Exhaustion."

"Gaius." Arthur walked up to the physician. "Gaius, what aren't you telling? What's wrong with him? Tell me."

"When I found him, he was mumbling. Most of it was incoherent but…"

"What?"

"He kept mentioning your mother's name." Emma and Merlin glanced at each other.

"He never talks about her."

"He claimed that he saw her. In the well."

"Did the guards saw him in this state?" Arthur asked quickly.

"I think you're worrying too much." Gaius said.

"If the people get to know about this…!"

"We says that he was ill, but now he's recovered."

Arthur walked away and Gaius back to his chambers, accompanied by Merlin. Emma stayed back a little. She considered going after Arthur. But what words of comfort may she offer that would make him feel better? He was worried and rightfully so. Uther was king and a king that was losing his mind, was not a king that could lead his people. And what were the chances of it happening shortly after Morgana's return?

She walked back to her chambers. Knowing not of what tomorrow may bring. If in fact Morgana and Morgause had a hand in Uther's condition, it was only because of her. She was the one who lied and abandoned Morgana in Morgause's hands. She was the one who was responsible for everything. There must be a way to fix all the wrongs she had done. If only she knew how.

It would have to wait for now. There were more pressing matters at hands. The King was losing his wits and Cenred was gathering an army. Most likely to attack Camelot. This could not be a coincidence. Morgana's return, Uther suddenly losing his mind and Cenred's mercenaries. Emma started to think these events were all related. Morgause and Morgana were weakening the kingdom and would soon strike. To make matters worse, Uther had another episode.

"There must be some explanation." Merlin said.

Gaius sighed. "During the Great Purge, Uther drowned many he suspected of sorcery. And some, God help them, were children." Emma winced. "Killed for the magic they were born with. Maybe his conscience is playing tricks with him."

"Or someone." Emma couldn't help but say.

"What do you mean?" Merlin asked his sister.

"I mean, this is not a coincidence that it started right after Morgana came back."

"Morgana would never do that." Merlin defended the maid.

"She was with Morgause for an entire year." Emma scoffed. "What do we know of what Morgana would do or not?"

"Whatever it is, we can no longer hide this. A King's hold on his people is a very fragile thing, children." Gaius told them. "If they start to lose faith in him, I fear for Camelot."

The Warning bells sounded.

They stood beneath the drawbridge. A guard of Camelot had been attacked and left for dead. A dagger in his abdomen.

"Take this man to my chambers. I need to speak with Arthur. It's a matter of emergency." Gaius said.

The guard was still alive. Gaius tended to him with Emma's help. They laid him down on a cot in their chambers. There was a strange sigil on the dagger. The likes of which Emma had never seen. A dagger that Gaius decided to take to the Council chamber with him.

"The sentry must have been attacked at some point during the night." Gaius said to Arthur as they were now standing in the Council chamber.

"Who could have done this?" Arthur asked him.

"It is the sigil of the Bloodguard." Gaius handed him the dagger.

"The Bloodguard?"

"Warrior priests sworn to protect the High Priestesses of the Old Religion." Gaius answered. Morgause, no doubt, had a hand in this, thought Emma. And maybe Morgana.

"Surely they were wiped out during the Great Purge." Arthur said.

"Not all of them."

"So, you believe there is a traitor in Camelot."

"It is possible, Sire. The Sentry will be able to tell us soon."

"He's still alive?"

"Indeed."

If, as she believed, Morgana had played any part in this. She surely would be worried about this. She would try to silence the Sentry. Although, Emma hoped that Morgana had nothing to do with this.

Emma went back to Gaius' chambers on her own. She had to make sure that the Sentry would remain safe and looked after. He was still alive and sound asleep when they left for the Council chamber. However, when she came back to the chambers, the Sentry was clearly struggling and gasping for air. She rushed to his side, confused and concerned. He was recovering when they left and somehow his health had worsened in the short time they had left him. Confused and unsure of what to do, she checked his wound. Black veins had grown around his wound. The Sentry had been poisoned.

There was a knock on the door. And in stepped Morgana.

"Oh, Nellie." Morgana said, surprise clear in her tone. She received no answer from the young maidservant. "I came to see if the Sentry guard was faring better." Morgana continued as she stepped up behind Emma. She gasped when she saw the wound. "What happened?"

Emma put the bandages back in place. "It seemed that the blade was poisoned."

"Poisoned?"

"I would go as far as to say that it may have been enchanted." Emma turned to face Morgana. Morgana looked nervous around the young woman. "I would go and tell the Prince of his passing."

She walked around the young Ward. "Nellie?" Morgana called her.

"Yes?" Nellie stopped and looked at Morgana. Morgana looked hesitant, nervous. As though, they were words on her lips. Words that she was dying to say but couldn't bring herself to.

"Do you trust me, Nellie?" Morgana asked instead.

"I would love nothing more." Emma replied.

Morgana scoffed. "This is not the answer I expected."

"I know."

Morgana shook her head briefly. "I will go and check on Uther."

"Of course, my Lady." Emma bowed slighty as Morgana walked past her and out of the chambers.

What was Morgana's plan? Was she truly foe or friend? Did she have a hand in the Sentry's death? She hoped not. It was not Lady Morgana, she did not trust. It was Morgause and the influence she had on Morgana that she feared. And she knew she had only herself to blame for this.

Morgana's return was supposed to lift a weight off of her chest. But instead, she felt as though she had to watch Morgana's every move. Make sure that the young Ward was not on a mission to destroy the Kingdom. She wanted to make sure that Morgause had not completely corrupted Morgana. Emma was being honest with Morgana. She wanted nothing more to truly trust the young Ward. But how could she trust Morgana? How could she know that the Ward was trustworthy?

Until she could know, she had to tend to her duty. She walked into Arthur bedchambers with his supper. He was standing leaning against the wall, looking out of the window. His arms crossed against his chest.

"I know you are worried about your father but starving yourself won't help him, Sire." Emma smiled at his back.

"The members of the court want me to assume control." Arthur said as he walked to the table. He sat down. "They want me to rule while my father is sick."

"They are just afraid for the kingdom's safety." Emma replied. "A kingdom without a leader is a weak kingdom. A land to be taken."

Arthur looked up at her. "I refuse to seat on the throne as long as my father still draws breath. I would not give up on him."

"I know." He took Emma's hand and smiled up at her. Before laying a kiss on her knuckle. "No one is asking you to give up on your father. Neither have they given up on him. But Camelot does need a leader. Now more than ever."

Emma understood Arthur's reluctance to become regent. As his father laid in bed losing his wits. But Cenred was gathering an army as they spoke and soon they would be marching onto Camelot. Camelot needed a leader and whether he wanted it or not, he would have to be this leader. She knew he could do it but she also knew he would refuse to do it for as long as he could.

On her way back to her chambers, Emma was met by a panicked and distraught Morgana. The Young Ward pulled her out of sight and out of earshot's. Although, at this hour, there was no one in sight.

"I'm so sorry, Nellie." Morgana started. "I tried to protect him but she knew. And now, he is her prisoner."

"Morgana, you are not making any sense." Emma held her arms. "Who is she? And who did you try to protect?"

Morgana took a deep breath. "Morgause captured Merlin."