Arthur was taking reports from all around the city regarding damages, wounded and dead. It was not as grim as those from previous attacks. And knowing Gwen was well and back to helping In the Infirmary he could concentrate. He was In the middle of asking about the condition of the walls and gates when those gathered gasped and reached for their weapons. Arthur turned to see Alan with the old sorcerer. "Sheathe your weapons. I asked for them to come."

"You're getting smarter, Arthur," the old man said. "Sending a magic user to ask for my help. Your servant also said you are looking Into changing the laws."

"Merlin has a big mouth," Arthur commented.

"He said what he thought was necessary to get me here. Is It true?"

"Too many have died on both sides. I wish to make steps to ameliorate the situation."

"Big words, Arthur. Let us hope your actions match."

Arthur knew the old man was baiting him, wanting him to lose his temper. He was right, however. Arthur did have to match his actions to his words. "Magic users worked openly In the battle with my consent. I believe that a step forward In showing the people of Camelot that magic Is like any weapon; It depends on the user If It's good or evil."

The sorcerer simply nodded. "Why did you send for me? You have already won your battle."

"Didn't Merlin and Alan explain?" He realized his servant wasn't there. "Where Is Merlin?"

"Helping with the herbs," Alan answered. "There was no need for both of us to be here."

Arthur saw the wisdom In that decision and moved on to explain to the old man what help he was looking for. "Years ago when Morgana had taken Camelot, I confronted her In the throne room. She raised her hand to kill me with magic and nothing happened. She was just as surprised as I was."

"Lovely story, but why do you need me?"

"You told me you would always help defend Camelot. All I'm asking is for you to do now what you did then to take away Morgana's power."

The sorcerer - Dragoon! That's his name! - seemed confused.

"I did something to stop magic? Sounds like it could've been me. She needs to learn what it means to have magic, the responsibility that comes with it. She has simply become what she wanted to destroy power like hers should be tempered by compassion. You have seen what happens when it is not"

Arthur thought there was an answer somewhere there, but it was a bit too enigmatic for him. He needed a yes or no. "Well?"

"I think there might be something I can do."

"Thank you. We can discuss payment later."

Dragoon opened his mouth as if to argue, but changed his mind.

"Alan, will you take him to Gaius?"

"Certainly." he put his hand on the older man's shoulder "Ready?"

"You need to teach me this. It would save wear and tear on these joints."

"Maybe after," Alan replied with a smile. They disappeared.

Arthur return to the discussion with his counsel, barely giving a thought to how his life had changed with the addition of magic.

Merlin staggered a little when they reappeared in Gaius' rooms. Alan tightened his grip and Gwaine rushed over with a chair. "I can't wait to be back to myself."

"But you still have to perform the magic."

"Once I say this spell over the puppet, it doesn't matter who places it. You could always say I'm taking a nap. Not unexpected for an old man."

"Arthur wants to pay you somehow afterwards," Alan reminded him. "It would be quite the snub if you weren't around for that."

Merlin groaned. He had forgotten that in his desire to become himself again. "It would also be another thing he'd hold against magic." He pushed himself out of the chair and shuffled over to the workbench to see what they had accomplished.

"We followed your instructions," said Mordred. "Gaius checked that we prepared the ingredients properly."

"Everything looks good." He turned to Gaius. "Do you have the poppet?"

"All set." Gaius handed it to him.

Merlin mixed in the last few ingredients. He then started the spell, submerging the poppet as he finished. There was no outward sign that it had worked, but he knew. "We let that sit for a bit and then I can place it under her bed."

"As you are?" asked Gwaine. "Has she seen you before?"

"She's afraid of me like this." He thought for a moment. "If she sees me here so openly, she'll know that Arthur has softened against magic."

"But doesn't she already because of me and Mordred?" asked Alan.

"This time Arthur went in search of magic, asking the man he believes – wrongly – killed his father for help. That's more than you and Mordred. Plus, she's been told that I will be her downfall."

"So, if she sees that her nemesis has sided with Camelot…"

"Why don't you change back and then we'll come up with a reason he can't go to Arthur," said Gaius.

Merlin took the steps to his room slowly and sank gratefully onto the bed. The vial containing the potion that would turn him back was resting on the bedside table. With a sigh, he reached for it and downed the liquid in one gulp, not thinking about the taste. He waited as he felt the years slip away. He then stood and removed Dragoon's robe before putting his jacket back on. He then rejoined the others as he stretched.

"So, I think we have time for one question from Gwaine before the poppet is ready." Merlin looked at his friend.

"I can't think of one question that can be answered so easily. When this is over, I want the full story."

Merlin grinned. He knew Gwaine was brimming with questions and for him to wait took patience he normally didn't display. "You've got it."

Alan nervously approached the cell alongside Merlin. He was carrying the poppet, which was covered in some viscous goo, in a bucket to keep it from dripping on the floor. "Arthur would just make me clean it," he said as he packed the offending item.

"Are you sure you can do this?" he asked the younger man.

"We'll make sure she's asleep and I should be able to sneak in and place it without her waking."

Alan made a face.

"I can be stealthy when I need to be."

"I just hope I'm strong enough to keep her from hurting you."

"She won't kill me. She'll want Arthur to witness it." He sounded like he was trying to convince himself.

"Or she could leave you to bleed out alone."

"You're being really cheery."

"It's my nature. I can't help it."

They stopped outside the cell and Merlin whispered a small spell to open the door quietly. He took the poppet out of the bucket and tip-toed across the floor. Alan took up position in the doorway, hand out in a defensive magical pose like he had seen Merlin use, and kept a keen eye on the sleeping woman.

The young sorcerer reached under the bunk Morgana was lying on. From what Alan gathered, all Merlin had to do was leave it close and it would work.

While he was watching Merlin, Alan's eyes slipped from Morgana and, in that short span, She gripped Merlin's arm and practically yanked him from the floor. Alan only had time for one shot before she had Merlin in front of her, holding his neck so that it would break with just one move. He lowered his hand so as not to make her nervous.

She looked down at the doll on the floor. "You were going to suppress my magic? I can feel the power from it. You can't lie."

Alan looked at Merlin who gave him a slow blink which he took as permission. "Yes, we were going to. Most people are afraid of you, Morgana, even those who once called you friend. The cell was warded so no magic could escape but we would only be able to keep you in here for so long. We had to find something."

"Something to take my powers away completely."

"I'll admit, we did talk about it but we didn't find anything."

"So, it fell to you and Merlin again. Did no one want to face me?"

"It was thought because Merlin is the smallest and skinniest, it would be easier for him to sneak in."

Morgana scoffed at that. "Merlin can't sneak. He walks into everything. How did you get to be the one to accompany him? Did you lose?" She didn't even try to hide the sneer.

"No, I chose to come with my friend."

"It all comes back to Merlin." She tightened her grip, causing Merlin to make a little whimper. "I just don't understand how you manage to survive everything. The way Arthur would do anything for you… Maybe I should take you as a hostage. He wouldn't dare let anything happen to you…"

Alan didn't like the way her thoughts were going. She would take Merlin to hurt Arthur, and he would be helpless because any little sign of magic and she would know the truth. There was only one thing for it. "Take me instead."

Two sets of eyes looked at him as if he had sprouted another head.

"And why would I do that?" asked Morgana.

"Okay, it may be a risky move on your part as Merlin would be easier to keep in line and not fight back, but I can get you out of here with a thought and farther away than horseback. Once we get a safe distance, we go our separate ways."

As she thought over his deal, Alan told Merlin of his plan. [You go back to Arthur and tell him what happened. I'll try to delay by taking short trips and keep you updated on our progress so you can follow]

[I should be the one. She hates me more. And, as you said, she won't expect anything.]

[And when you do? She'll know, Merlin, and use it against you. No, it's better if I go.]

Merlin gave in with a slow blink.

"I accept your terms." Morgana moved closer to Alan, dragging Merlin with her. Once close enough, she released Merlin with a shove and grabbed Alan in a similar hold. "Go. Run to Arthur. Tell him he should have known better than to send you two."

Alan saw the red marks around the younger man's throat. That was definitely going to hurt. "Go on, Merlin. It'll be okay."

Not trusting his voice, Merlin nodded and ran from the cell.

"Now," she said into his ear, "you get me out of here."