Amelia's POV
Arthur and Merlin return to Camelot and are in the Council Chambers to report on how they got chased by bandits but managed to escape.
"The bandits probably have a stronghold somewhere in the White Mountains," Arthur reports as he stands in front of his father, who stands in front of his throne. Amelia and Morgana sit in their usual chairs next to it. Merlin, Gwen, and Anne stand off the side of the room. "How we escaped, I'll never know. Although, some credit must go to my servant, Merlin."
Gwen gives Merlin a friendly nudge and Anne gives him a proud smile yet Amelia can see that he doesn't react. There is something wrong with him, she can see it in his eyes, but she dares not to ask until they are out of the room and away from Morgana's prying eyes.
"Dispatch a patrol. I want these men caught and brought to justice." Uther orders.
"Immediately, Father."
Uther, Arthur, and the Court begin to exit with Morgana and Amelia following father and son.
"For a moment, we feared you might miss Lady Morgana's birthday." Uther remarks to his son as they leave the room.
"It'd take more than a bunch of thieves to keep me from such a feast," Arthur says, looking back at the two women. They give big and bright smiles.
"Tomorrow promises to be quite a night." As Uther speaks, Amelia can see Morgana's face drop into a look of hatred.
—
Amelia grabs the warlock's arm later on and drags him into her Chambers, with Anne following, where they can be alone.
"What's happened?" Amelia asks. "And don't say that nothing happened, because I can see it in your eyes."
Merlin sighs as they walk further into Amelia's Chambers to the dining table where they can sit down and talk. "When Arthur and I were in the Valley of the Fallen Kings, I came across a man named Taliesin, though Gaius says he died about three hundred years ago. He took me to a place called the Crystal Cave. Do you remember the Crystal of Neahtid?"
"How can we forget?" Anne remarks. Amelia nods, agreeing.
"Well, the crystals in the Cave were exactly like that one. It showed me the future." Merlin continues. "Morgana is going to kill Uther."
Amelia's eyes widen. "Are you sure, Merlin? Perhaps you saw the images wrong." While she won't be sorry when the man dies, she knows it's too soon.
Merlin shakes his head. "I'm positive. I can't get these visions out of my head. Taliesin told me there was a reason I was brought there at this moment in time. Why? It must mean the events I saw are imminent."
"What did Gaius say?" Anne asks.
Merlin huffs. "Gaius says that I have to be careful, that the Crystals are treacherous." He explains. "What I saw might not happen."
"But what if it does?"
"Exactly."
"You should be careful Merlin. You might accidentally cause things to happen now you're trying to stop it." Amelia warns.
—
The next day Amelia spends the day with Morgana as it's her birthday, and part of it is going riding. Amelia's horse rears as they get ready to go out. Amelia quickly soothes the horse.
"It's alright. It's alright." Amelia murmurs to the creature.
"Ready sister?" Morgana asks from where she stands next to her with her own horse.
Amelia nods and they get on the back of their horses and ride out of the Square. A few Guards linger behind them as Uther can't risk the lives of his precious wards. Amelia sees Merlin staring at her in horror. She frowns at him as she passes. Did she just take part in one of the visions Merlin saw?
She shakes it off and rides out into the forest surrounding Camelot, determined to have some fun. While out, Amelia is reminded of how much she misses the old days when she could tell Morgana anything. Seeing Morgana smiling and laughing makes Amelia forget for a few moments about the darkness lurking in her sister.
—
Anne's POV
Anne sits with Gaius in his Chambers as she has done all the tasks she needs to do and Amelia doesn't need her as she's out with Morgana. Anne can't imagine the torment Amelia must be going through to have to continuously put up a front in front of her own sister.
Merlin rushes in, frantic. "It's happening. The future I saw, it's started."
"Calm down, Merlin," Gaius says.
"I just saw Amelia struggling with a horse exactly as she was in the crystals with Morgana beside her," Merlin tells them.
Anne's eyes widen. "Are you certain?" She was the one that suggested Amelia take Morgana out riding. Is it all her fault?
"It was the same image," Merlin affirms.
"But they're always riding," Gaius argues. "It's not unusual to see Amelia or Morgana with a horse."
"It's not the only thing." Merlin persists. "Arthur's present for Morgana, he's told me it's a dagger."
"A dagger?!" Anne exclaims. This is just going from bad to worse.
"Merlin, I think you're overreacting," Gaius says.
Anne looks at him alarmed. "But what if—"
"It could be any dagger." Gaius points out. "As for the sight of Amelia with a horse..."
"It was the same," Merlin argues.
"It's hardly a rare sight. Certainly not one to be trusted as a harbinger of doom." Gaius continues.
—
Amelia's POV
In the Banquet Hall, nobles raise glasses for a toast. "To Lady Morgana." They cheer. Morgana beams from her seat in between Uther and Amelia.
Uther pats a box in front of Morgana. She opens it with a grin. It's a necklace and she lets Uther put it on for her. Arthur nods a Knight over, who presents a box to Morgana.
"Happy birthday," Arthur says.
She gives him a sweet smile. "Arthur." She says as she stands to open the box and pulls out a sumptuous dagger. She removes the sheath at the same time as Amelia makes eye contact with Merlin across the room, and she knows by the look on his face that this must be the next vision just like earlier.
Amelia snaps out of her thoughts and turns to those on her table. "You never get me anything that nice." She teases Arthur, who puts his hands up in surrender.
"Next year, I promise, I'll buy you something even better," Arthur promises.
Amelia gives him a satisfied smile. "Good."
Morgana sits back down and turns to Amelia. "This is very nice. Who knows? Could come in handy."
Despite her fear, Amelia knows she must stay calm and says, "What else is it used for?" She looks to Merlin as Arthur talks to him and sees how shaken he is. Hopefully she'll be able to talk to him soon.
—
Anne's POV
"Don't you see, it's started. It's coming true." Merlin argues as he sits with Gaius and Anne in the former's Chambers. Anne hates to see Merlin so upset. She puts her arm around him to comfort him.
"We can't be certain about that." Gaius continues to persist.
"We have to stop her."
"How?" Gaius asks. "We don't know when this is going to happen. We don't even know if it will."
"We have to watch her," Merlin says.
"Night and day? We need to get Amelia on board to make that possible." Anne points out.
"We don't have time to do that." Merlin dismisses. "I was shown these visions for a reason."
"This is madness." Gaius states.
"We'll take it in turns. She cannot be left alone." Merlin declares before running off.
—
Amelia's POV
Amelia sits in Morgana's Chambers on the bed as Gwen brings Morgana's gifts to where she's sitting at her dressing table, analysing the dagger from Arthur.
"You got some lovely presents," Gwen observes. "Mainly hairbrushes." The three share a slight laugh at that. Gwen then picks up an ornate hand mirror and reads the note on it. "Who's King Gromause?" Amelia looks up abruptly at that. She knows who that is.
Morgana has taken notice as well but simply shrugs, playing it off. "At least he doesn't think my hair needs brushing."
"It's so pretty," Gwen murmurs. Amelia knows they need to get Gwen to leave. She shares a pointed look with Morgana through the mirror.
Morgana grabs one of her gifts, a gold embroidered cloth. "Here, I want you to have this."
Gwen looks up surprised. "Me?! No..."
Morgana hands Gwen the cloth and takes the mirror. "It's a thank you."
Gwen sighs at the pleasurable surprise. "Thank you."
Gwen leaves and Amelia quickly stands and moves to where Morgana sits. Her sister breathes on the mirror to fog it up. It reads: Sisters, come to the darkling woods at midnight. Morgause.
—
Amelia returns to her Chambers afterward where she pretends to sleep for the next couple of hours, but about half an hour before midnight, she gets up and changes into a black dress, black coat, and black boots. Amelia has just exited her Chambers when she hears Morgana's shriek from down the hall. Dread forms at the bottom of her stomach.
"Morgana?" She calls after her. Amelia picks up her skirt and begins running down the hall. When she gets there, she sees Merlin looking through a doorway. Amelia frantically pushes past Merlin and sees Morgana passed out at the bottom of the stairs with blood pouring from a wound on her head.
"Morgana!" Amelia calls down. Amelia feels herself begin to sob. She sees Merlin is simply just standing next to her. "Get help!" She shoves him. This startles Merlin and he runs off to get help.
—
Gaius and Gwen enter the former's Chambers. Arthur enters carrying Morgana with Amelia, Anne, and Merlin trailing behind.
"I need water and bandages." Gaius orders.
"I'll get that," Gwen says.
"And yarrow; we need to stop the bleeding."
"Right," Anne murmurs as she darts off to get just that.
Gaius clears a table for Arthur to put Morgana down. Amelia is practically sobbing at the sight of her sister so hurt despite the woman's current behaviour.
"She's having problems breathing," Gaius observes.
"Dianthus?" Merlin asks.
"Yes, and a preparation of pulmonaria." Merlin pauses in confusion. "Lungwort, Merlin. Quarter of an ounce, ground fine, and mixed with violet."
"How could this have happened?" Arthur asks.
"Arthur, I need room here," Gaius says. "And take Amelia with you."
"Yes. Of course. Erm... anything you need, just tell me." Arthur says. He grabs Amelia to take her away despite her protests.
—
Anne comes into her Chambers later on.
"Well?" Amelia demands. "Will she be alright?"
"Gaius has done the best he can. But he can only heal her skin, but the skull... the cranium is broken. She's bleeding inside." Anne sombrely tells her.
Amelia collapses on the floor in grief. "How could Merlin do this? We were only going to see Morgause, she wasn't heading for Uther's Chambers."
"He didn't realise. He thought he was stopping the future. He had to stop Morgana killing Uther. He didn't mean to do it like this." Anne defends him.
"He should've told me!" Amelia cries. "I was keeping an eye on her." Amelia swallows her tears and breathes for a moment. "I don't know whether I can forgive Merlin if she dies, Anne."
Anne looks at her alarmed but nods. "I'll keep him away." She leaves.
Amelia knows she has to get a message to Morgause so her sister doesn't come storming in. She gets the hand mirror from Morgana's Chambers and writes to Morgause, telling her not to go to Morgana as she's continuously watched and it's too dangerous.
Despite who her sister has become, Amelia hopes Morgana will be okay as she can't bear the thought of losing her.
—
Anne's POV
"What do you mean he won't do anything?! Can't Merlin see how everyone is falling apart?! What good will Arthur be as King if he's devastated?!" Amelia screams the next day at Anne, who flinches. It seems the idea of her sister dying has led to Amelia becoming quite unhinged and desperate.
"Merlin believes Morgana would have, and will, do terrible things to Camelot." Anne tries to argue.
"How can you defend him?! He's committing murder!" Amelia screeches, her blue eyes are wild. Anne decides it's best not to mention how Amelia was sobbing to her not too long ago about Morgana murdering a Guard.
"I want my sister." Amelia begins to sob as she collapses to the floor again. Anne gathers her friend in her arms and cradles her. She hears footsteps and looks up to see a guilt ridden Merlin watching them. The couple share a look.
—
Amelia's POV
Amelia decides she needs to go and visit Morgana. She reaches the doors to Gaius' Chambers when she hears Uther and Gaius talking. She's about to enter when something piques her interest.
"You're not understanding me, Gaius. Cure her. I don't care what remedy you use. In all these books there must be something." Uther begs. "Something in the Old Religion?" Amelia tries not to gasp in shock. She would have never expected Uther to contemplate ever using magic, not after his wife's death.
"Are you suggesting?" Gaius asks in disbelief.
"Sorcery, yes."
"I know she's dear to you, Sire, but surely you're not going to risk everything for Morgana?" Gaius argues. Amelia agrees with him. Surely not? Surely this man won't be even more of a hypocrite.
"Gaius, you don't understand. There's something you should know. Something I've told no one." Amelia tenses as she waits for his confession, the reason why he's so desperate to save Morgana with the one instrument he swore never to use.
"Morgana is my daughter." Amelia's jaw drops. She has always known that Uther is preferential towards Morgana, though has never dismissed Amelia herself, and now she knows why. "It was while Gorlois was away. He was fighting on the Northern Plains. Her mother, Vivienne, grew lonely." Amelia doubts that's a good excuse for cheating on your wife.
"I understand, Sire." You shouldn't Gaius. Uther is even worse of a man than she had realised.
"I've said enough. The people must never know who Morgana really is, for Arthur's sake." Uther declares. Amelia for once agrees with him. She can't imagine what Morgause and Morgana would do to Arthur if they learn about this.
"I assure you, Sire, your secret is safe with me," Gaius says.
Amelia realises that Uther is moving towards the door and quickly darts behind a pillar so he doesn't see her. She wrinkles her nose at him as he walks past her. She already knows of her mother Vivienne's affair before her marriage with Gorlois resulting in Morgause and then her affair during it, which resulted in herself but to now learn that Vivienne had another affair in between the two with her own brother-in-law? Amelia is shocked. Poor Ygraine. Did she ever know? Though one thing is known for sure, her birth mother was a busy bee.
—
Amelia eventually does return to Gaius' Chambers to visit Morgana once she knows that Uther is being kept away as he keeps coming back to sit with Morgana all hours with no rest and Amelia can't stomach having to mourn with him. Not when she's brimming with anger towards him and Merlin, who thankfully is elsewhere as well so it's just her and Morgana.
She taps her fingers against her knees. Amelia knows Morgana is only going to cause more pain for everyone if she helps save Morgana by sneaking Morgause in. Saving the entirety of Camelot over saving Morgana seems to be the most logical choice. What if this is the way that she is supposed to die? Yet every cell in Amelia's body is screaming for her to save her.
Amelia looks over her shoulder to see Uther walking in. She clenches her jaw and tries to sound civil as she asks, "Should you not be resting, my Lord?"
"I could not stop thinking about Morgana," Uther answers as he comes and sits down next to Amelia. They sit wordlessly for a while before he surprises Amelia by reaching over and wrapping his arm around her, hugging her to his chest. Amelia blinks in confusion. "I know how much it must be paining you to see Morgana this way. You two are as close as sisters."
Amelia can't believe that he's blatantly lying to her face since he knows that they really are. She wants to say something but keeps her mouth shut and instead leans her head stiffly on Uther's shoulder and grits her teeth. "It does pain me, Sire. I see how it pains you, too. You hardly leave her side."
"I just cannot help but remember when you were in this position a few years ago," Uther said, and Amelia thinks back on the accident caused by Nimueh flying her backward and causing her to hit her head. The details are fuzzy for her on what happened that day and the fuzziness and forgetfulness of the past still happens. She wonders if she still remembered the show, would Morgana not be lying in front of her hurt? "Morgana flew to your side as soon as she heard. I wish I could have done the same." Uther presses a kiss to the side of her head. Amelia can only think about how at the time he was throwing his own son in jail and stopping them from saving Merlin from poison. "I am just glad that I still have you to go through this with."
Amelia tightens her hands into fists as she watches over Morgana. "I am too, my Lord."
—
Amelia, Gaius, Anne, and Gwen sit watching over Morgana. A soaking wet Merlin walks in as Gaius announces, "Her breath is leaving her. She'll be gone by morning."
Gwen and Amelia cry. Merlin enters his Chamber. Amelia thinks he's a coward for not being able to face this.
Amelia realises she needs to get in contact with Morgause as soon as possible as Gaius is unable to do anything and Merlin seems to be point blank refusing to do so. But how and when?
—
Anne's POV
Anne follows Merlin and sits next to him in his bed. He's sniffling and rubbing his eyes.
"I can't do this Merlin. It's eating me alive." Anne whispers.
"I know."
"What can we do?"
Merlin looks to her. "There's only one thing we can do. There's only one that can help us."
Anne looks at him wide eyed. "You cannot mean the Dragon?!" She hisses. "He hates Morgana!"
"But if we do not do this, we will probably lose Amelia forever. You've seen how she despises me. What if this is what sets her off on that dark path the Dragon has mentioned?" Merlin argues.
Anne sighs in defeat. They agree to wait for nightfall and Anne leaves to go to bed. She knows she'll be unable to pull Amelia from Morgana's side.
—
That night, Anne and Merlin ride out of Camelot to the large grassy area they have met the Dragon in before. They wait for him in the clearing.
The Dragon soon arrives after Merlin's call and lands in front of them. "You summoned me, young warlock? And to what do I owe the pleasure this time?"
"I've been to the Crystal Cave. I saw Morgana make an attempt on Uther's life." Merlin explains.
"It does not surprise me."
"Well, he stopped her," Anne says.
"To change the future is no simple matter, young warlock and sorceress. To do so is fraught with danger." The Dragon warns them.
"I know, and as a result of my actions, Morgana is dying," Merlin says.
The Dragon laughs gleefully. "Then you should rejoice!" Anne cringes at this.
"I want you to help me to save her." Merlin counters.
"Merlin, have you learnt nothing?" The Dragon retorts patronisingly.
"He did not mean to kill her," Anne argues. "All he wanted was to avoid the future that would've unfolded, to prevent Uther's death, to prevent Camelot from being torn apart."
"I will not cure her!"
"She is Uther's daughter," Merlin reveals.
"Yes."
Anne shakes her head, of course. "You knew. Why didn't you tell any of us?"
"It makes no difference."
"Well, whatever she was about to do, I stopped her. There's no need for people to suffer." Merlin pleads.
"The witch must die, as she should have done long ago. I will not save her." The Dragon declares.
"What about Amelia?" Anne questions. "She'll be heartbroken despite what Morgana has done."
"She will be better off without the witch in her life." The Dragon argues.
"How can you say that?" Merlin asks. "Won't Morgana's death have more of a negative impact on Amelia's destiny than if she lives?"
"The connection between the two sisters needs to be severed. I will not save the witch." The Dragon persists.
"I am a Dragonlord! You cannot refuse me!" Merlin yells.
"How dare you treat me such! How dare you abuse your power!" The Dragon cries in outrage.
"I command you."
The Dragon calms. "Very well. But I warn you, the evil that will follow is of your doing, and yours alone." He breathes magic on Merlin and leaves. Merlin and Anne ride back to Camelot.
—
Amelia's POV
Amelia's vigil over Morgana and her attempt to contact Morgause through the hand mirror is disrupted by Merlin and Anne barging into Gaius' Chambers.
"I'll sit with her. Why don't you go and get some sleep? You must be exhausted." Merlin says, trying to pull her up though it's awkward. Their strained relationship after what he'd done to Morgana is to blame for that. She pulls away and narrows her eyes at him.
"No, something's happening. Isn't it?" Amelia argues.
"Merlin can save her," Anne explains.
Amelia looks at her, eyes wide with hope. "He can?"
Merlin swallows uncomfortably. "Yes."
Amelia sighs in relief and has to choke back a sob. "Oh thank you, Merlin. I know Morgana isn't a good person right now but she's my sister. I'm won't be mad at you anymore, not if you do this."
Merlin shows no emotion and simply nods. He sits down in Amelia's chair and spreads his hands to hover over Morgana. "Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare mid þam sundorcræftas þære ealdaþ æ!" He chants.
Morgana gasps. Her back arches and she begins breathing normally and her colour improves. Amelia stares at her anxiously while Merlin looks terrified and Anne unsure.
—
Amelia stays with Morgana until she wakes. The woman gives her sister a beaming smile and sobs in relief and throws herself into her arms. Amelia breaks down crying. Despite how hateful and vengeful Morgana has become, she's still her sister.
"Never do that to me again." Amelia huffs.
Morgana snorts. "I'll try not to."
They are disrupted by Uther, who walks and gasps at the sight of Morgana and Amelia cradling each other. "Morgana…"
His daughter (Amelia is not sure she'll get used to that) puts on a tearful smile and reaches out her hands. Uther immediately brings her into his arms as he sits on the other side of the bed from Amelia.
They are both still cradling Morgana when a shocked Gaius walks in.
"I never thought..." Uther stops talking when he sees Gaius. "It's truly a miracle."
Gaius reluctantly nods. Amelia knows Gaius won't be pleased with this but she ignores him.
—
Gwen props Morgana up in bed with pillows. Amelia frets about her. Tucking the bed sheets even more even though she does not need to.
"Thank you, Gwen," Morgana says. "And please Amelia, I am well."
Amelia huffs embarrassed. "Sorry." She sits on the bed next to Morgana.
Gwen smiles and nods. She turns and bows to Uther, who stands in the corner of the room, before leaving. Uther goes to Morgana, who reaches out her hands to him. Amelia frowns at his interruption again but knows she can't say anything as this is all part of the loving ward act.
"I could never let you die. I think I somehow willed you to live." Uther says frantically, clinging to Morgana's hands as he sits next to her. Amelia is alarmed by this display as never having seen him quite like this before.
"You've always been so good to me. I'm grateful." Morgana says as he kisses her hands.
"You, Amelia and Arthur, you mean everything to me." Uther declares. He smiles at Amelia and reaches out one of his hands to her. She reluctantly takes it and gives him a false smile back.
"I know I could have no better guardian," Morgana says with tears in her eyes. It amazes and disturbs Amelia with how good she is at it; Amelia disturbs herself with her own acting. "Being so close to death has made me realise how important you... and Amelia and Arthur are to me. How close we are to each other." Amelia gives her a curious look, what exactly is she pushing? Amelia simply smiles and holds Morgana's left hand now that Uther no longer holds it.
"Yes," Uther tells enthusiastically.
"You're like a father to me." Amelia tries not to act shocked and panicked. Does Morgana know, could she have possibly overheard as well? Morgana knowing this isn't good for Camelot at all.
"Yes." Uther looks a little uncomfortable by this. "Yes." He quickly kisses the hand he holds.
"I wish the people knew that." Morgana pushes. Amelia realises that Morgana must feel very hurt by Uther not acknowledging her. She wants Uther to admit it to her face.
"They do."
"Not really." Morgana persists.
"Of course they do." Uther dismisses. Amelia is beginning to feel annoyed with him herself. She doesn't want Morgana to know but she obviously knows and Uther continues to lie right to her face.
"In the eyes of the people, I am no more than your ward, a guest," Morgana argues, frowning.
"What matters is what we feel. That's what's important, not what the people think. I must let you rest." Uther quickly retreats. Morgana seethes.
"You heard what he said didn't you? I can see it on your face." Amelia says quietly, worried about how Morgana will lash out now that she no longer has to act.
"Yes." Morgana hisses.
"So, you are illegitimate like the rest of us." Amelia tries to joke but Morgana doesn't take the bait.
"Do you see how he acts!" Morgana spits. "He rejects his own flesh and blood."
Amelia knows she needs to calm her down, no one on either side needs Morgana acting rashly. "I don't believe he's rejecting you, Morgana, he just cannot face how he betrayed Gorlois and Ygraine."
Morgana's face wrinkles into a look of disgust. "He's such a hypocrite. I heard you know, I heard him talk of using magic! He persecutes magic users then uses magic when he feels like it." Amelia agrees with her on that point. "He must pay!"
Amelia grabs her sister's arms. "Please Morgana. Do not act rashly." Morgana roughly pulls away.
Amelia retreats in the hope Morgana will be calm while she's gone and hurries to her Chambers to get the hand mirror she had hidden there. She worries about Morgana, worries what she'll do to Uther as it'll do more harm than good. Morgause will have an idea. Amelia doesn't want Morgana to kill Uther as it will throw Camelot into chaos and Morgause doesn't want it as it'll ruin her plans of revenge.
She goes to her vanity, where the mirror from 'King Gromause' lies. Holding it up, she whispers the enchantment and then exhales to fog the mirror. She uses her finger to write, Sister, please come to us tonight. After she repeats the spell, the fog clears and the message is sent.
—
A storm comes in that night. Morgana wants to walk around despite Amelia's pleas to rest so the latter simply resigns to following Morgana in case it's too much. They reach the Balcony Corridor and stop still. Both stand in their nightgowns. They do not talk and simply gaze around themselves. A figure opens a door next to them and steps into the corridor. They turn around to reveal it's Morgause.
"Morgause," Morgana murmurs in surprise since Amelia had not told her about the visit.
"Thank goodness." Morgause breathes as she runs over to Morgana. She grabs her into a hug and holds her tightly against her chest. "When Amelia sent me a message to say you were badly injured, I feared the worst but I am glad to see it has turned out well. I wish I could've been there but it was too risky." She notices their pensive expressions. "What happened? Something is wrong."
"There is much to tell you, Morgause." Morgana begins. Amelia doesn't like the fact that Morgause will know the truth surrounding Morgana's birth as it will put Arthur in danger. However, she knows she can't do anything to stop Morgana from telling Morgause, if not today then another day.
"What is it?" Morgause pulls down her hood.
Amelia reluctantly speaks, "We overheard Uther."
"What?"
"Uther is my father. I am his daughter." Morgana reveals with barely concealed anger. Amelia gets it. How would you feel if you learnt the man you hate and hunts down people like you is your father?
"Uther?" Amelia feels dread when she detects a hint of a smile on Morgause's lips.
"He's been lying to me all these years."
"But this is glorious news." Morgause declares.
Amelia swallows thickly. She thinks she knows what her eldest sister means but she plays along. "What makes you say that sister?" She asks.
"Morgana has a legitimate claim to his throne. This is wonderful!" Morgause says gleefully.
"No, Sister. You don't understand." Morgana disagrees. "He has disowned me. He wants people to think that he's the perfect King. It's more important to him than his own flesh and blood."
Amelia huffs. "At least you know who your father is."
"I wish I did not know. Sisters, he must pay for this." Morgana snarls. Warning bells sound begin to sound before Amelia and Morgause can react to their sister's words.
"You must go," Amelia says quickly. Her double agent status will suffer if Morgause is caught with her and Morgana.
"No, I don't want to leave Morgana like this," Morgause argues. Amelia wishes she could appreciate the care and kindness Morgause sometimes shows. Wishes she had met her sister in better circumstances when Morgause wasn't filled with hate and revenge.
"I'll be with her but you must or they will find you here." Amelia persists.
"Do not do anything rash, Morgana. Promise me!" Morgana looks away. Morgause kisses her on the cheek, but Morgana pulls away from it just like she did to Amelia before. "We must bide our time." Morgause leaves.
"She's right," Amelia argues. "At least wait till morning when we can think rationally to plan our revenge."
Morgana grits her teeth. "Of course, sister."
She lets Amelia guide her to her Chambers where Amelia leaves her. The youngest sister hopes that the increased alertness of the Castle will stop Morgana from acting before the morning.
—
Amelia sits in her Chambers as Anne readies her bed.
"Morgause came to visit us earlier," Amelia confesses as she has decided she should be honest about her worries.
"Morgause? Is she the intruder?" Anne wonders as she sits on the bed.
"Yes, she's likely left by now. I do not believe they will find her." Amelia declares.
"Why was she here in the first place?"
"I called for her," Amelia admits.
Anne looks at her alarmed. "Why did you do that?!"
"I was – and am – worried about Morgana." Amelia reasons. "She's particularly unstable right now. I believed Morgause might calm her with their plans but it did not seem to work."
"What makes you say that?"
Amelia sighs and rubs her eyes tiredly. "She knows Uther is her father." Anne's widen in panic. Amelia knows that Merlin had also overheard Uther's confession and had told Anne so it's not all brand new information.
"She knows?!" Anne exclaims.
"Yes, and now she wants him to pay," Amelia says. "I think she's been put off from it, just for tonight."
"But if you're right then that means Merlin hasn't stopped the future if Morgana is angry enough." Anne realises. She stands up in alarm. "It also means we cannot be absolutely sure Morgana will not act tonight. You said it yourself she's unstable. She might go after Uther tonight."
"Merlin's caused the future to happen..." Amelia murmurs. She wonders if perhaps she's caused it as well by guilt tripping Merlin into saving Morgana. Amelia looks at Anne with wide eyes. "And I left her alone."
They run out of Amelia's Chambers. As they reach Morgana's Chambers, they see smoke coming from the open door to Morgana's Chambers. They run in to see an unconscious Merlin.
"Quick! We have to pull him from the flames!" Amelia cries. Anne and Amelia frantically pull him out of the room just as some Guards come charging past to put out the fire. Merlin wakes, coughing. Amelia sighs with relief while Anne clings to him.
"Where are you going?!" Anne calls when Amelia stands to leave.
"To find Morgana!" Amelia yells over her shoulder as she runs away. She runs with a purpose, knowing exactly where Morgana has gone. She barges past the Guards despite their protests.
—
Amelia bursts in unseen to see Morgana preparing to strike Uther in his sleep with her dagger. She hides behind a pillar and desperately looks around for a way to stop when she notices the windows. Amelia focuses her mind and stares at the windows. She jumps in surprise when the windows blast inward. Thankfully this throws Morgana against the wall, causing her to drop the dagger. Uther wakes with a fright.
"What's going on?" Uther asks as he bolts up, looking about him.
Morgana stands and quickly comes up with an excuse for why she is in his Chambers. "Er... there was a fire, and I was scared." She steps towards Uther and kicks the fallen dagger under the bed. "I wanted to be with you. You're the only person I feel safe with." Uther hugs her. Amelia scoffs quietly behind the pillar before stepping out and puts on the act of being frantic and worried.
"Morgana!" Amelia cries causing the two to pull apart. "I was so worried when I saw the fire but could not find you."
Morgana, who has her back to Uther, pulls a grumpy face but her voice is the opposite. "I was here Amelia. You did not have to worry."
"They are putting out the fire now," Amelia tells them. "Come, Morgana, you can stay with me tonight." Amelia begins to pull Morgana, who is reluctant, from the room when a voice calls behind them.
"Are you sure?" Uther asks. "She's so frightened."
Amelia clenches her teeth in annoyance before calming and turning to him. "Of course, my Lord. Morgana wants to." She gives a pointed look to show her there's no arguing. Amelia needs to talk to Morgana now.
Morgana frowns at Amelia before turning to Uther. "Yes, my Lord. I need to rest and do not want to disturb you any longer."
Uther reluctantly lets them go and Amelia, with a tight grip on Morgana's arm, pulls the two of them out of the Chambers. She immediately turns on her sister as they walk back.
"What do you think you were doing?!" Amelia hisses quietly. "I had to stop you from committing a mistake there!"
Morgana looks outraged. "Why did you stop me?! We would have finally been rid of him!" She snaps.
"If you had succeeded in killing Uther, what would have been your next step? Did you have an escape route planned? Would you have eliminated any potential witnesses? How would you have dealt with Arthur?" Amelia questions.
"I did not think..." Morgana trails off.
"That's right, you didn't think!" Amelia snaps. "You almost disrupted our plans with your little murder spree!" Well, not her own plans but Morgana doesn't need to know that. Amelia's plan is to wait until when Arthur finally becomes King.
"I am sorry, sister," Morgana murmurs despondently. "Please do not tell Morgause."
Amelia sighs. "Fine but only because she would be mad at me for not stopping you sooner though I am sorry myself for not noticing that you needed someone to be with you."
Morgana shakes her head. "You have nothing to be sorry for."
—
Once Morgana is asleep in Amelia's Chambers, Amelia herself slips away to go to Gaius' Chambers to meet with Anne, Gaius, and Merlin.
"You saved the King's life," Gaius says in a congratulatory tone.
"Only just," Amelia argues.
"I thought I could alter the future, but instead I caused it. I made it happen." Merlin murmurs.
"What you did was dangerous, even for someone as gifted as you. But what's done is done. There are more important things for us to worry about. I fear that Morgana knows the truth." Gaius warns.
"About what?" Merlin asks.
"She knows the King is her father and she's told Morgause," Amelia tells them. "It is why she acted so suddenly, she was angry. But now my sisters know, Arthur must be careful."
"Why?" Anne asks.
"Morgana is of royal blood. If Uther were to die, Arthur is all that stands between her and the throne of Camelot." Gaius concludes.
—
A/N: So, from the show you already know that Arthur and Morgana are half siblings but, in this world, they are also first cousins. Morgana's mother Vivienne slept with her brother-in-law as Uther was married to her sister Ygraine. Amelia and Morgause are simply first cousins with Arthur through their mother.