When they woke to find Sarah missing, Casey spent the entire morning muttering about her court-martial, but by the time they packed up camp, he seemed more worried than mad.

Morgan didn't know Sarah well, but he could guess what had happened. There had been something defiant about her expression last night when she'd agreed to wait. If she'd returned with Chuck she could have said, 'I told you so,' but instead she's gone and they have no idea if she's still alive. Morgan hoped wherever she was, she was with Chuck and they were both safe.

It was definitely a good thing they never tried to attack the stronghold. Morgan felt sure now that if they had, Casey would have also been captured, or even killed, and then Morgan would likely have been slain by bandits on the way home.

Morgan missed Alex more than he cared to admit. Travelling with her father just made him think of her more, which made him miss her more.

The colonel was not up for conversation on their way back. It was a long and quiet trip. Morgan was dreaming of the castle kitchen's best pastries even while he was eating foraged tubers and berries. Sometimes Casey caught an animal, but usually they just ate what they could find.

"Cooking takes time," Casey would remind him whenever Morgan asked if he was going hunting. "And we need to get back as soon as possible. We keep moving. End of story."

Morgan knew he was right, but his stomach and feet were very much against the idea. He was so tired of eating while walking, so tired of moving generally. All that kept him going was knowing he'd see Alex soon, and hoping their information could save Chuck.

It felt like they'd been walking for years by the time Moria came into view. Morgan just wanted to collapse on something soft after eating something hot, but there would be time for that later.

Without so much as stopping for a sip of water, Casey got them an audience with the king and queen. It was evening when they finally arrived, and the royal couple were ousted from their beds.

"I'm sorry to disturb you," Casey began.

"Never mind that!" the queen snapped. "Did you find him?"

"We did," Casey began. "But he is being held prisoner in a stronghold. Sarah went to try to extract him, but she did not return. We thought it best to return with the stronghold's location so we can mount a proper rescue."

"I agree," King Stephen replied. "Do you have any thoughts on how best to plan the rescue? Would stealth be useful or should we just go for strength in numbers?"

"Numbers," Casey replied. "With Sarah either captured or killed, stealth really isn't an option anymore. Getting in won't be the problem, getting out will."

Morgan could sense they were going into full assault planning mode and felt like he really wasn't necessary. He was about to sneak away when the queen stopped him.

"So?" she asked.

"So… what?"

"So what did you learn?"

"Oh well, Chuck did definitely tell Sarah," Morgan confirmed.

"Did they take Chuck for his magic!?"

"Probably. We don't know," Morgan sighed. "We found Sarah tied to a tree. Then tracked Chuck to the stronghold."

The queen sighed. "Very well," she said. "You may go."

Morgan held back a gleeful squeal and turned to leave.

This late in the evening there were only two places Alex could be and Morgan had a feeling tucked into her bed wasn't the answer. Making a left turn, he continued down the corridor until he exited the main castle.

Just as he'd expected, there she was, all alone with a practice sword in her hand.

"You know your father doesn't want you following in his footsteps, right?" Morgan said by way of announcing his presence.

Alex froze for just a split second before turning around and running to him. Morgan wrapped his arms around her and let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Even as hungry and tired as he was, Morgan felt better.

"You're okay!" Alex exclaimed. Then she pulled out of the hug to look at him before she asked, "Is dad okay?"

"He's in a meeting, but yes he's fine," Morgan smiled at her.

When Alex was happy, her whole face lit up and made her even more beautiful than she already was. Reaching up gently, Morgan put a hand on the side of her face and leaned in to kiss her.

Now he was home.

"I love you," he said.

She didn't say anything, but just stared at him, clearly surprised by his sudden confession.

"There is something about almost dying that puts one's life into perspective," Morgan continued. "Oh, and your father may have let something slip." He leaned in and kissed her again. "But either way it's past time I told you."

Thinking the kiss was over, he started to move away, but Alex pulled him closer and deepened the kiss.

"I love you too," she whispered into his ear.

"I know," Morgan said with a grin. "You really think I'd have had the guts to say it first if I didn't already know!"

Her laugh was so light, so full of relief. It was one of the many things he loved about her. She didn't just put up with his strange awkwardness; she actually valued it and he valued her for all the little odd and wonderful things that made her who she was.

"You know it's a funny story," Morgan said as they walked hand in hand back to her home. "But I don't think I would have made it back without you."

"I wasn't even there!" Alex laughed.

"But if not for you, Casey wouldn't have been so invested in keeping me alive," Morgan explained.

"Well, I am just glad you both came back safe," she replied. "Did you find the prince?"

"Technically, yes," Morgan answered. "But the whole 'lost in the woods' thing kinda turned into a 'captured by the bad guys and locked in a dungeon' thing."

"Ah, so that's why dad's in a meeting," Alex understood immediately.

Morgan loved how smart, and witty she was. Also brave and kind. If he'd been the type of person with low self-esteem he would have assumed she was too good for him. A merchant's assistant wasn't exactly a career that came with high social status. Being friends with the prince somehow was his most prestigious title, but none of that mattered to her and so it didn't matter to him. Alex never seemed anything but happy in his company and Morgan knew exactly how she felt.

"Mom will be happy to see you," Alex said as they approached her dwelling. "Though I suspect mostly because it means dad made it home okay."

"Fair enough," Morgan chuckled. "Listen I wanted to come see you first, but we barely ate on our way back, so-"

"So you are walking me home then heading straight for the kitchens," Alex knew exactly what he was going to say.

"Well, yeah."

"I appreciate that I was your highest priority," Alex said with a smile. "Even if your stomach is empty. I bet you missed your bed."

"So much!" Morgan agreed. "Your dad doesn't really believe in rest when he is on a time-sensitive mission. We maybe got four hours sleep and then walked all day, eating nothing but greens, roots and shoots. He said hunting and cooking took too long."

Alex chuckled. "I'm surprised you came to find me at all."

They'd reached her home and on that note, Morgan kissed her on the cheek and added, "I'll see you tomorrow." She agreed and bid him farewell before disappearing behind her front door.

Morgan didn't waste any time. He made a sharp turn and headed for the kitchens. He'd been so excited to see Alex, he hadn't realized just how totally exhausted and hungry he was until he was alone again.

Bread with meat or maybe a sweet pastry. His mind was filled with nothing but food as he walked.

Arriving at the kitchens, Morgan helped himself to a few things and ate hungrily in the corner. He couldn't help but wonder what Chuck had been eating this whole time. Probably nothing fit for a prince.

Taking the last of his bread to go, Morgan made his way to his dwelling. The food had made him so sleepy that he felt kinda floaty, like he could fall asleep with his eyes open standing up. Morgan gave his head a shake. He was determined to make it to his own bed tonight.

The sound of a frantic voice caught his attention. Instinctively Morgan stopped moving to listen. It was a woman speaking, but the level of panic in her voice was such that Morgan couldn't make out the words.

"Slow down," another voice, male this time, spoke. Morgan had to assume this person was talking to the frantic woman. "Tell me what happened?"

"They were going to kill her!" the woman exclaimed. She didn't seem all that concerned about being loud. "We were visiting my sister like I told you, but then they came and they were looking for someone else. When they figured out they had the wrong girl they were going to- going to-" her voice broke. Morgan could hear her sobbing hysterically.

"What happened to her?" the male voice asked, urgently. Morgan thought the voice was familiar, but couldn't quite place it.

"I told them who you were, told them she'd be valuable as a hostage," the woman continued through her sobs. "It was all I could think of to stop them from cutting her down right in front of me!"

Sleepiness forgotten, Morgan focused all his attention on the voices around the corner. This felt important. He just had to figure out who they were and then he'd know how important.

"When did they take her?" the male voice asked. He wasn't crying like the woman but there was a pain in his voice now that made Morgan sure he was just as upset as her.

"A few hours ago maybe," the woman answered. "I didn't trust a message carrier so I came straight here to tell you. What are we going to do?"

"Go home and get some rest," he told her. "I will handle this."

"I can't go home!" she exclaimed. "I can't think. I can't do anything. I-"

"Your face," the man said, his voice cold with fury. "I assume they did that to you?"

"I was trying to defend the children," the woman answered. "But my face doesn't matter."

"Yes it does," the man snapped. "You need to take care of yourself and you know why."

The woman seemed to remember something. After that she didn't fight him on returning home.

"I'll arrange for an escort to get you home safely and remain with you," the man continued. "Stay there. I will send news when I have some."

Morgan had been lost in their conversation; he'd forgotten that its conclusion meant they were headed around the corner, where he was standing.

With only a split second to spare, Morgan managed to duck out of sight. When he heard footsteps moving past, he chanced a peek. He just couldn't shake the feeling that he knew the man speaking, had heard his voice before. He had to know for sure.

The man's face was in shadow, but then he walked into the moonlight and Morgan had to hold back a gasp.

Whoever that conversation had been about the man speaking was the Captain of the Royal Guard: Daniel Shaw. The one in charge of Chuck's rescue had a hostage held against him. Sleep could wait. Morgan needed to find Casey!

Morgan waited until he was sure Shaw's footsteps were gone, before darting off in the opposite direction of his own bed.

Knowing Casey, he'd still be in the meeting with the royals. Morgan headed right back to where they were.

It seemed the meeting had broken up. As he arrived, he saw people leaving. Morgan spotted Casey and ran over.

"I need to talk to you!" Morgan said urgently.

"Is Alex alright?" Casey asked at once.

"Yeah, she's great," Morgan answered quickly. "This is something else."

Morgan could have told the King and Queen directly, but he really wasn't sure what he'd just seen and he had no proof except his word. Not even Casey could accuse the Captain of the Royal Guard of anything without proof, let alone Morgan!

Casey seemed to be waiting for Morgan to speak. "Not here," Morgan said and pulled the Colonel away so they wouldn't be overheard. He then recounted everything from the conversation he'd overheard.

"What do you think it means?" Morgan asked.

"It means this rescue mission just got a hell of a lot more complicated," Casey said. "Shaw's been put in charge of the entire operation. If he can't be trusted, we are gonna need to be vigilant."

"Yeah that makes sen- wait what do you mean we?" Morgan asked. He'd assumed he wouldn't be going on this next mission. Morgan wasn't even sure he'd been of any use the last time and this time it was a full on military attack. What use could he possibly be in that scenario?

"Conspiracies require more than one person," Casey explained. "We don't know who else to trust, which means it's up to the two of us to foil whatever Shaw plans to do."

"But what about the hostage?" Morgan asked.

"The prince has to come first," Casey replied.

Morgan knew Chuck wouldn't like that. He'd hate to think of his life being valued above another. Especially since the woman's words seemed to imply that this hostage was a child.

"Alright, I'll come," Morgan said. "If only to make sure we save the hostage too. Chuck will be mad if we don't."

Casey rolled his eyes. "My job is to return the prince home safely," he said. "Nothing more."

"Unless it was your daughter being held hostage," Morgan reminded him. "Then you'd probably betray king and country to save her."

"Shut up," Casey snapped by way of answer, but Morgan knew he was right because he felt the exact same way.

"We are leaving at first light," Casey told him. "Get some sleep, Morgan."

"That I can do," Morgan replied.

Once again coming down from the adrenaline, Morgan felt like he might just take a nap on the floor. But instead he turned and headed home.

Morgan was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

I know what you are thinking: Urg another Morgan chapter when we just wanna see Chuck and Sarah kiss already! lol. My editor was rather unimpressed with the interrupted kiss in the last chapter. Sorry not sorry. Tehe. I do love to drag things out, but at least that means you get more chapters in the end.

This Morgan chapter is a bit of a conclusion to his earlier chapter when he found out why Casey was so determined to keep him alive. Just felt like it had to be done, plus now he's overheard something rather important. Look at Morgan go, staying relevant to the plot without trying to. ^_^

Also I am rather impressed with my new update speed! Between the two Chuck stories it feels like the chapters are coming much faster than before so that's lovely. Hopefully you feel like there is more to read as well.