Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Prologue

Safe
Safe
Must keep Arthur safe.
Must keep everyone safe.
Safe.
Safe.
But Merlin couldn’t do it
Too weak.
Too broken.
No time.
Safe.
Safe.
It had to be him.
No. He wanted it to be him.
He was done with everyone.
Safe?
Yes. Everyone would finally be safe.
Especially Merlin.
The witch had no idea what she started.
He opened his eyes and they no longer were as blue as Freya’s lake. Now, they were pure gold.

Merlin broke. It was to be expected. Morgana had been ruthless when she captured him. She has delighted in a week of physical torture that included whippings, stabbings, and breaking bones. He got no relief as she used her magic to keep him awake throughout. She only gave him enough food and water to keep him alive and by the end of the week, he wished she would just let him die already.
“Please, Morgana. Just let me die. You’ve had your fun.”
Merlin hadn’t meant to show such weakness but he was out of his mind with pain. He had imagined using his magic to escape so many times but fear of her finding out his secret kept stopping him. At this point, he couldn’t even feel it anymore. He had made such an effort the first few days to push it down that he wondered if he had damaged it altogether. Merlin closed his eyes so she couldn’t see any gold in them and tried to pull a little to the surface. Nothing happened.
“Shh. I told you Merlin. That’s too easy for you, but I agree, you need a break.” Merlin felt the ropes holding him up unravel and he fell to the floor.
“Now, now. I can’t have you on the floor.” Whispering an incantation under her breath, Merlin began to feel weightless and found himself floating through the air to land on Morgana’s bed.
“Rest. Sweet dreams.” Morgana leaned over him brushing back the hair on his forehead and dropping a gentle kiss there before walking out the front door of her hovel. This was his moment to escape but he found he had no strength to move. Instead of running, he gave in to the black abyss. He never noticed the dripping sound coming from the mandrake root under the bed.

Merlin’s second week of torture was all psychological. Morgana used mandrake root and potions to try and drive him mad. Whereas pain kept him from sleep the first week, the visions stopped him his second week. Every time he tried to close his eyes, the root would start to scream. He would close his eyes to find Freya sitting on the table, blood gushing from a wound in her side, and tears running down her face.
“Why couldn’t you save me? Didn’t you want to heal me?”
Will would circle him as he sat with his knees tucked under his chin.
“If you had just used your magic, I would still be alive.”
Balinor stood in the corner and shook his head.
“I gave you a great gift and you squander it. You ignore your kin in favor of people who hate your magic.”
Merlin curled up despite the pain from being whipped and the broken ribs. Morgana had no need to tie him up anymore. He has shattered and she has won. Nothing has worked to stop the ghosts. Even as he closes his eyes, they still talk to him and let him know he has failed his destiny. He was too weak. He finally notices that Morgana has walked out again. He can’t take it anymore. He feels as if he is completely broken but he tries one more time. He begs his magic to work.

Emrys was pissed. Merlin had always acted as if his magic was a separate entity from him and when he allowed Morgana to torture him instead of breaking free, something in him snapped. His magic fought but Merlin had a lifetime of controlling it. So it receded. It stopped fighting, until it heard him beg. If Merlin wanted his magic to be separate fine, but it was tired of being weak. It was time for him to fight back. Merlin could sleep but Emrys was ready to take over.

Morgana carried the firewood into her hovel. How she hated this place. She used to be the king’s ward, his secret daughter in fact. She had beautiful gowns and jewels to wear and a servant to take care of any whim. She never had to dirty her hands to collect firewood or any of the demeaning tasks she now had to deal with. She glanced down at the servant, huddled in the corner. He hadn’t spoken in days. If it wasn’t for the fact that he accepted food and water, she would think he was catatonic. Maybe it was time to end the torture. She had broken him and now she could remake him. It might be a hovel but she could have a servant so she no longer had to do everything herself. It would be nice not to be alone anymore. Maybe she could even look for someplace better. There were abandoned castles and keeps all over. With her magic and Merlin’s hard work, she could do better than this place. The only reason she kept it was its proximity to Camelot but she was sick of that anyway. She hated Agravaine and his lecherous looks towards her. Maybe it was time to kill him. Just another relative for Arthur to lose to magic. She debated ideas for revenge in her head until a cracking sound caught her attention. A loud groan came next and Morgana was astonished to see Merlin rising to his feet. Even more shocking was the golden glow, emanating from his body as every break and every wound began to heal. The cracking sound was coming from his right arm and she could see the deformed arm bend as the bones rebroke, then stitched themselves back properly. She heard a popping noise and his chest seemed to inflate as his ribs healed. She was so shocked watching his body miraculously heal, that she didn’t notice his eyes until he was standing tall, in perfect condition, as if the past two weeks had never happened. The gray ashen tone was gone from his skin. His torn and tattered shirt which has long been discarded, floated in front of him, repairing itself until it looked brand new. The blood stains that had soaked it and his trousers disappeared. He pulled the shirt over his head and finally she looked into his eyes. Gone was the blue that used to pull at her heart. All that was left was a golden fire.
“What are you?” She whispered.
He smiled back at her.
“Wrong question, Morgana. Ask who I am.”
Morgana began to shake, knowing the answer before the question could be asked. She shook her head.
“No. You can’t be.”
“Ah, but I am. I wouldn’t have been. Merlin was too strong, but you weakened him. Even then, I never would have taken over.”
Trembling, Morgana backed up as he stalked towards her. This was Emrys. Seeing him now, she understood why he was her doom. The power coming off him was almost too much for her to withstand and he wasn’t even directing it at her. Her back hit the wall and she could go no further. Dropping her head and closing her eyes, she prayed he would show her the mercy she had not shown him and hoped her death would be quick. A sob escaped her throat. She felt his fingers on her chin turning her face towards his own.
“Morgana, open your eyes.”
Unable to resist the command, her eyes snapped open to meet his golden gleam.
“I hate you, Morgana, but Merlin loved you once. Even now, he screams to let you live. After everything you have done to him, he does not want your blood.”
“I don’t understand. Are you possessing him?”
Emrys chuckles darkly.
“No. Merlin and I are one and the same but he has to stop letting fear win. You broke him enough that he could no longer control the great power he was born with. I’m going to fix it so when he comes back, he is safe.”
Emrys let go of her face and pushed himself away. He began to pace back and forth.
“Now, I have a quandary. I feel you need to die for him to truly be safe.” He ignored her gasp and the tears that began to fall down her cheeks. "But of course, Merlin wants you alive and well."
“Don’t worry, Morgana. I am not going to kill you. I want to, but I won't. You don’t get to stay here though. You are coming back to Camelot with me.”
“So you will just let Arthur kill me instead? Absolve your guilt. After all, you killed me once, so sparing me once leaves your conscience clear?”
Emrys appeared in front of her in the blink of an eye, grabbing the sides of her head with his hands.
“He loved you, you witch.”
With those words, he flooded her thoughts with Merlin’s. He showed her the first time he glimpsed her in the window. She felt his embarrassment and longing as she changed behind a screen, mistaking him for Gwen. She felt every longing and appreciative gaze but more she felt the sorrow and loneliness he felt. She felt his heart break when he denied her the knowledge they shared magic. Then Emrys showed her the poisoning. His horror when he realized she was the vessel. The war he felt over her versus Camelot. His desperation when he knew everyone would die and the pain of his heart being ripped to shreds as she died in his arms. Hope when Morgause said she could be saved. Morgana felt everything and for the first time in years, the hate melted away. He showed her more and she felt everything, right up until the moment Emrys took over and healed the body she broke, but he couldn’t heal his mind. That would take a different magic. One that she wanted to be a part of.
Morgana dropped to her knees.
“Merlin, I am sorry,” but Merlin wasn’t there to hear, only Emrys and he didn’t want her apology. He would store it though. Merlin would need it when he was done. He offered her his hand.
“It’s time to go.”
Resigned to her fate, Mogana took his hand.

Arthur was tired.
He had sent patrol after patrol out, looking for his friend. He refused to believe that Merlin was gone. Agravaine had tried to get him to give up the hunt, not wanting to waste resources on a servant but Arthur was adamant. It was the one fight he was unwilling to compromise with his uncle on.
Arthur felt two arms surround him and his love’s head rest on his back. He took her hand in his and spun her around to face him. She stared deeply into his light blue eyes, noticing the dark circles underneath and wishing she could erase them along with the pain he was feeling. Instead she wrapped her arms around him again. It only took a few moments for his head to drop onto hers as he sighed deeply. He had no idea how long they just held each other in peace until a throat cleared behind them. Glancing over his shoulder he saw Leon popping his head out the council room.
“Everyone is here, Your Majesty.”
Arthur gave a slight nod and Leon ducked back in the room. Taking Guinevere’s hand, he followed in his knight. It did seem as if everyone was assembled although Gwaine’s eyes were unfocused. The normally jovial drunken knight had wavered between determined sober friend, and angry drunken jerk. He could see a black eye on Percival that had not been there yesterday and wondered if Percy had tried to convince him it was time to say goodbye. Gwaine and Arthur were the only ones who still thought Merlin could be alive. Even Gaius thought he had likely perished from the mace wound that Arthur described him receiving during the ambush at the Valley of the Fallen Kings. Arthur would not give up until a body was found. Only then would he accept his friend was gone. Arthur took a seat and seated Gwen to his left. The chair to his right was never allowed to be filled. Even when Merlin had been here, that seat was empty. He knew that a servant could not sit on the council but that spot belonged to Merlin so until the day he came that he could fill it, it would remain empty.
“Lord Agravaine, you requested this council meeting?”
“Yes, sire. Members of the council are concerned about the resources you are expending when we should be preparing for attacks from Morgana or Odin. The council would like to request you stop your fruitless search and consider making an envoy to Odin. The tentative peace your father agreed to with him, needs to be firmed up. There are rumours, your highness, that Odin has a niece that he would be willing to let you marry in exchange for a peace treaty. The council would like to accept on your behalf.”
Every bit of exhaustion melted away into anger and Arthur found he was shaking with rage. He looked around the table. His knights looked shocked, even Gwaine. Gaius shared their disbelief and poor Guinevere recoiled as if someone had hit her. He could see the council members who wanted this were the old members, who had gained their seats under his father’s rule. It was time to set them straight. At least, that was the plan, until someone beat him to it. He heard a laugh to his right.
“Agravaine, you ass. I never thought you were that stupid.”
Sitting in the chair to his right, the chair empty a few moments ago, was the man he had been searching for, only it wasn’t right. This Merlin had glowing golden eyes and Morgana sitting on his lap.

“Merlin?”
“Sorcerer!” Agravaine unsheathed his sword but Merlin just grinned.
“Arthur, do me a favor. Hold onto your sister for me. I’ve promised not to kill her so I would appreciate it if you didn’t try to either.”
At this point half of the knights standing in the room, pulled their swords out while the knights of the round table looked to Arthur to see what to do. In a state of shock, he did nothing but stand and take a hold of his sister as Merlin requested.
“Hey Gwaine, remember this one?” Merlin smiled as all of the swords turned into flowers, just as Gwaine’s once had.
“Merlin, mate. Is it really you?”
“Kind of. You can call me Emrys for now.”
At that name, the room came alive. Agravaine backed away in fear, looking to Morgana for help but she gave no indication she cared. All the fight had left her. Percy and Leon both stood so quickly the chairs fell to the ground behind them. Elyan looked confused so he looked to his sister, who began to cry.
It was Arthur that broke the stunned silence.
“Get out of my friend’s body, sorcerer.” he yelled.
“It’s my body too, you idiot.”
“No. My friend is not a bloody sorcerer.”
“No, he’s a warlock. I am sure you don’t know the difference though, because all you do is hate. You refuse to educate yourself about magic. Well too bad. I’m here till you learn.”
With a wild roar, Arthur pushed Morgana away,pulled his sword, and attacked.
“Seriously?” Emrys gave a wave of his hand and Arthur found he was sitting once more.
“Everyone just sit down.” Everyone sat, although it looked as if Leon fought it, making Emrys realize he was compelling them with magic, which had not been his intention.
“Sorry bout that. I meant for it to be a request. Now, Morgana, come over here. I don’t want you sitting in Merlin’s chair.”
Morgana rose from the chair she had sat in automatically when he had released the spell making everyone sit.
“Now. I am sure everyone is a little confused. I will be happy to clear things up for you. Are you ready? Arthur?”
Arthur’s light blue eyes raged, but he gave a slight nod.
“Good. Where to begin?”

Emrys took in the room. It was hard to believe that almost everyone he cared about was right here. He tried backing off a little and showing Merlin that everyone was safe. He could hear him chanting in the back of his head to keep safe, everyone safe, Arthur safe. Arthur had no idea how lucky he was to have Merlin as a friend. He would by the end of this.
“First, I want to clear up the name issue. As some of you might know, Emrys is the name from a druid prophecy. He is the sworn protector of the Once and Future King, known in the room, as Arthur Pendragon”
He could see Leon and Percy nodding. He had thought from their reactions that they had probably heard of him. He could see it had done nothing to endear him to Arthur. Emrys began to walk behind the council members, lightly touching their shoulders as he passed. He had to admit, it was a little fun to witness their uneasiness. They deserved every moment of it since they tried to marry Arthur off to Odin’s niece.
“Merlin was born to Hunith who gave him his name, but the druids recognized him as Emrys, the greatest warlock there ever was or will be.”
“Sorry, Merlin, or Emrys, whoever, you are. What is a warlock?”
Emrys smirked in amusement at Gwaine. No one else had the balls to interrupt him but Gwaine.
“A warlock is born with powers, a sorcerer is taught magic. My magic is instinctual, especially in the form I am in now. Merlin did come to Camelot to learn to control this power and in doing so, has learned spells so technically, he could be called either, but I prefer warlock.”
Again, Gwaine interrupts, “Why do we care about you?”
Emrys lets out a bark of laughter. He notices that quite a few people, including Morgana and Agravaine flinch away from that sound.
“You care because Merlin and I are one and the same.”
This time it is Arthur that butts in.
“How?”
“Oh there is this saying of how magic is like a sword. Yada yada yada. Just a tool. No real life to it at all. Here is the truth. It is just a tool. It cannot corrupt. Power, anger, and hate corrupt. There is an exception to this rule and I am it. Merlin was not just born with magic, he is magic. It flows constantly in and out, or it should.”
“So you are admitting you are different and can corrupt Merlin.”
The king feels vindication that he was right about magic, even as Emrys was explaining why he was wrong.
Arthur sees the golden luminescence in Emrys’ eyes harden in anger. He watches as the hands that had been drifting over council members stop at his uncle and sees the hands tighten painfully into his shoulders.
“Let him go, Emrys.”
Emrys slides his gaze to the man partly responsible for Merlin's condition before relaxing his grip.
“Sorry. I am not here for revenge against the traitor. I am here for Merlin.You, Arthur, are proving why I need to protect him.”
“I don’t understand. How can you be here for Merlin when you claim you are one and the same?” Gwen’s quiet voice speaks up for the first time. Emrys softens his look. Gwen is one of the few people both he and Merlin love unconditionally.
“You’re right. I am angry and not explaining this well. Let me start again. Because of the unique nature of Merlin’s magic he has led a life of fear. He was taught as a child to hide what he was, no matter what. As a result, he began to separate himself from his magic, especially once he moved to Camelot. He found out that he has a destiny to fulfill so he is constantly put in situations where he has to make choices often at the risk of exposing himself. It would be so much easier for him if he just came clean about his magic.”
At this point Arthur jumps up angrily.
“Exactly. Why lie to me? To all of us? How could he not trust me after everything we have been through?”
For the first time since Emrys appeared in the council room, his eyes changed back to blue.
“I do trust you, Arthur.”
“Merlin?”
Merlin took a few steps towards Arthur before closing his eyes and putting a hand to his head. When next they opened, they were gold once more.
“Let Merlin go, Emrys.”
“Arthur, you’re not getting it. I’m not stopping him or controlling him.”
“It just looked like it to me. I saw him, not you.”
“Yes. I’m hopeful the damage the witch did isn’t permanent. We are getting off topic again. You wanted to know why he never told you, even when he says he trusts you. The answer is simple. He knew the truth.”
“What truth?” Arthur growled.
“That, unfortunately, the ones he loves the most, don’t want him to be himself.”

For the first time, Emrys moves to face his foster father.
“Gaius, I know you love Merlin.”
“Of course I do!” cries the older man. Emrys feels for him. It couldn’t be easy living the life he had, but that didn’t help Merlin.
“You don’t realize that your love is causing you to give him horrible advice. You want him to stay safe and think the best way to accomplish that is for him to hide what he is. You council him to keep his secrets even as it tears him apart. You saw what the fear did to Morgana.”
At her name, Morgana raises her head from where she had been studying the floor.
“Morgana, Gaius had no bad intentions with your care. I know you hate him for medicating you instead of acknowledging your magic but the fear you felt as the king's ward was nothing compared to what he felt as an ex-sorcerer working alongside your father for twenty odd years of hate.
“Why did he help you and not me? Why did no one want to help me?” Morgana begins to sob and the room witnesses Emrys change again. Emrys is only here to make Merlin safe and to try to unite the two of them in a way they haven’t been since he was a child. He cannot and will not feel anything for the woman but Merlin loves her and it is he that pushes his way back to the surface. His eyes turn blue and he hurries to gather the woman he loves in his arms. It doesn’t matter what they did to each other.
“I’m so sorry. I was so afraid. I let that fear be stronger than my love for everyone. If I could change it I would.”
He holds her as she cries, not noticing that Gauis has come up beside them. He chokes on his tears for a moment.
“Morgana, Merlin, I am so sorry. I swear I did the best I could.”
Merlin pulls Morgana to her feet and she rushes into Gaius’ arms, leaving him open for when Gwen throws herself into his arms.
“I’m sorry I didn’t know. I’m here for you.”
Merlin buries his head in her hair for a moment.
“Thank you.” he whispers.
“Merlin?”
“Yes, Arthur?”
“Is it over?” The king asks warily.
Blue is consumed by gold and Emrys grins.
“No dollophead. You aren’t getting off that easy.”

Arthur had been sure he was exhausted before the council meeting. Now, he wasn’t sure there was a word for how he was feeling. He wanted to sleep and rage at the same time. After Morgana’s breakdown, Emrys decided he had enough for the day. After all, he had been brutally tortured for two weeks, so he claimed. If anyone deserved an afternoon and evening at the tavern it was him. The council members ran from the room with Agravaine leading the pack, as soon as Emrys called the meeting adjourned. They only paused briefly when Arthur yelled that Emrys had no power to release them from the meeting, at which point Emrys doubled over laughing so hard he cried, and the council members ran. When Gwaine asked what was so funny, all he could get out was the words, “no power.” Even Percy cracked a grin at that. Once he calmed down, he invited everyone to the Rising Sun with him.
“Are you crazy? Of course we aren't going to the tavern with you. You are a sorcerer.”
“Warlock,” Emrys interrupted.
“Fine, Warlock, and magic is outlawed. You are going straight to the dungeon until I decide to let you out. Then, maybe, we can finish this discussion and get Merlin back.”
“All right, mighty King Arthur.” Emrys said snidely “Two things. One. You do realize that I am Merlin too. You’ve seen him. Even when I go, he will still be magic. His life is still against your laws.”
“Well….”
“Right. This is why we need a break, which leads me to number two. There is literally nothing you can do to me. I am the most powerful creature that ever lived and while Merlin holds back, I do not. I will not hurt anyone that he or I love, and I will not go against our destiny, but I will not bow to you either. You have earned Merlin’s undying loyalty. You have not earned mine.”
With that, Ermys walked out the door. No guards attempted to stop him and the knights were at a loss. Gwaine didn’t want to stop him, in fact he jumped up and followed him to the tavern. Leon and Percival both knew the druid stories. They had no doubt they had been friends with a legend for years and never knew it. They were too loyal to Arthur to follow Emrys, no matter how much they wanted to until the king’s shoulders drooped and he told them to go if they wanted. Elyan paused to kiss his sister goodbye before running after his friends. This just left the king, his sister, her ex-maid, and the court physician. At some point, even the guards had left him. Arthur looked over at his sister.
“Is your magic working?”
“Yes.”
“Why aren’t you attacking, claiming the throne you want so badly?”
“I tortured him, Arthur. The sweet boy with the quiet eyes. I tortured him so harshly, his mind literally broke into two pieces. Despite this, Merlin apparently insisted on clemency from Emrys. He wouldn’t let him hurt me, even after I broke him. Oh Gods, Arthur! What have I become? I don’t want to be this person anymore. I want to be the girl in his memories.”
Morgana threw herself into her brother’s arms. She didn’t care that she had cried more today than she had since before she had been poisoned. All she knew was she needed to release this pain if she ever wanted to move on. After a few moments, Arthur realized Gwen was holding onto both of them and Gauis had slipped out the door. Morgana sniffed back her tears and leaned away from her brother.
“I know you are going to execute me. I promise I won’t fight you. I deserve it for everything I have done.”
“I’m not going to kill you, Morgana.”
Morgana looked up at her brother in surprise.
“You're not?
“No. I have to figure out a punishment for your crimes, but you are my sister. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
It was a simple matter to install Morgana into her old rooms until he could figure out what to do with her. If anyone gave him a hard time, he would tell them they should have stayed until he ended the meeting, not the bloody warlock.

Emrys was feeling good. It was a little worrying at first. Most of the patrons knew Merlin mainly from picking up Gwaine, but when they saw the glowing gold eyes, it gave many of them a start. The problem was, most of the guards had already heard what happened in the council room and no one wanted to try to go up against someone who could turn a sword into a flower. What if he turned them into something? So when a complaint would come in, they were told the knights allowed it so they weren’t going to interfere. Emrys found this hilarious. Of course, anything would be funny with this much alcohol. He knew why Merlin never let himself drink but since he was already revealing himself, he had no issues with throwing back a few, or really, a lot. He could heal himself if he wanted to, and not feel the liquor but that didn’t seem like a lot of fun. Instead he let himself feel it all, and it was so good. He was a little concerned with Gwaine so he reached forward and did a small healing spell on him. At least, he tried. Since he was more than a little drunk, the spell was too strong and he instantly sobered his friend up.
“Hey. What did you do that for?”
“Oops. S’rry. I’ll fix it.”
At which point, Emrys refilled all the empty tankards on the table with more ale and Gwaine got an uncomfortable look in his eye.
“So you can make ale out of nothing.”
“Yup” he said, popping the p.
“So mate….”.
“Nope. S’rry. One night only. Merlin can’t do it and he will be back as soon as his brain heals.”
The knights all turned to look at him. Percival was the first to ask.
“His brain is broken?”
“Course. That’s why I’m here. Can’t let it get that bad again. Fix it all so he can be safe. Makes all of you safe too. I know, I am a bit of a clotpole, Merlin’s word, but he’s part of my soul. Can’t let it stay torn, you know.”
They really didn’t but they didn’t want to ask. Emrys had acted like Merlin was the broken one but they all realized that if Merlin and Emrys were one and the same, then Emrys was just as broken as he claimed Merlin was.
“Now. Who wants me to do a spell to guarantee no hangovers tomorrow?”
All the knights and most of the patrons within earshot, raised their hands causing Emrys to giggle like the girl Arthur liked to call him. Unbeknownst to him, his eyes begin to flicker between gold and blue, but he is too drunk to notice. Someone else does and it made their heart soar.

“It’s a shame Merlin can’t clean this place up and use it for a bedroom.”
Emrys hears the footsteps get closer. His time is coming to an end. In a way he is grateful, in others he will miss it. Arthur sits down on the ground beside him. They both watch the sun paint the morning with it’s light.
“Does he want this room?” As weird as it is to speak of Merlin like he isn’t sitting beside him, it seems worse to not acknowledge him at all. Emrys cocks his head, almost as if he is hearing an outside voice but Arthur knows this is an internal battle.
“I know we both feel content when we are up here. There are lines in the earth that magic flows heavily along. Sometimes those lines cross and the areas they cross beneath gives off a special power. That power is below this tower. It calls to me so yes, I think he would want this room.”
Arthur scans the area. It would make nice quarters. There is a fireplace for warmth and plenty of room to put in a wardrobe. Over to the left, he can imagine a four poster bed, something he knows Merlin has never owned. If he converted the whole tower, Merlin would have plenty of room with two other rooms that could be used for a study and maybe an apprentice.
“It means he would have to come back.”
“Yes, it does.”
“So, should I gather everyone up? Finish this discussion so that we can get back our Merlin?”
Arthur rises and brushes himself off. He offers his arm to the man still sitting on the floor beside him. Emrys takes it and allows the king to pull him to his feet. It is such a change from the day before. Arthur’s rage was gone. Obviously he was beginning to accept the truth. Emrys had been right to call for a break so the Once and Future King could go over everything he had learned of his friend and his unique magic. He had lied the day before. Arthur had always had his loyalty, but it made what he had to do easier if the king did not know that.
“No. I don’t think so.”
Back was the anger the king was known for. If a goblet had been handy, Emrys was sure it would have been lobbed at his head.
“Why not?” the king seethed.
“We don’t need them anymore. Merlin cares nothing for the traitor or the rest of the council. Most of the ones that are important to him have all shown their acceptance. He has felt their hearts and feels safe with them. Let’s take a walk Arthur.”
Emrys strode away, fully expecting Arthur to follow him. He headed towards the battlements wanting both high ground and open air. No one bothered him. Merlin had experienced trouble with guards in the past. Some didn’t like his insulant mouth. He had gotten more than a bruise or two by ones that wanted to make an example of him. When Arthur had found out, he had been livid. He had personally broken the nose of a guard he had caught beating Merlin, so to see these same guards turn tail at the sight of him now, amused Emrys to no end. He knew Arthur had seen the guards turn away too.
“Guess they won’t try beating on Merlin again after this.”
Emrys heard the scorn in his king’s voice but there was another element to it. Almost jealousy? Why? Because Emrys could handle himself?
“Probably not, but you had already taken care of that. It was moments like that, though, which created me.”
“I don’t understand. Can you explain it to me?”
“Fear. It’s simple in its complexity.”
They had finally reached the battlements and Emrys wanted nothing more than to look out over the kingdom he was sworn to protect, and the home that Merlin loved, despite everything.
“We used to be one. Hunith never allowed us near people in the beginning. It wasn’t too difficult for her. People don’t tend to rush to meet the bastard child of the village so until I was about six, I had never spoken to anyone other than my mother, never looked upon another face.”
“It seems extreme. There is no way for anyone to know you had magic. Why isolate you like that?”
“Because my mother knew I had magic from the moment I opened my eyes. Most sorcerers' eyes flash gold when they cast a spell and then color fades. Currently mine are staying gold because I am Merlin’s magic and Merlin is hiding deep below. Not as deep as he was before, but still hiding. When we were one, our eyes were blue but there was a noticeable halo of gold surrounding them that would have had us slaughtered if your father ever caught word. That combined with the fact that I was the last dragonlord’s heir..”
Emrys gave a small shrug of his shoulders. It made sense.
“You say destiny joined us but how did it ever expect you to survive when you were given such handicaps?”
“I’ve wondered the same thing.”
The men stood silently for a while, watching the castle and its inhabitants start to come alive for the day. He saw Leon leading men on the training grounds and heard the clash of swords as they began practice. He knew if he moved, he might catch glimpses of people headed to the lower town to buy, sell, and trade goods. He might even catch a glimpse of his future queen as she headed off to pick flowers. He didn’t move though. He was content to sit with this man that was his friend, but not really, and watch his men as he thought over everything he had learned these past two days.
“What happened when you were six?”
“Hunith became ill. She almost died.”
“How did she survive?”
“A druid healer. Now that I am older, I realize I must have somehow called her to us, but as a boy, all I know is I heard a knock on our door for the first time in our life. I opened it to see a beautiful dark haired woman. She pushed me inside and ran towards my mother. She was able to heal her before the illness could take her away. Once Merlin’s mother was out of danger, she turned to me. Gently took my chin in her hands, and turned my face left and right. I heard her whisper an apology to the triple goddess before she knelt on the ground beside me.”
“Emrys.” she whispered.
“At the time, I didn’t know that it was another name for me. She had already been saying odd words over my mother, so I never gave it much thought. Truthfully, until this moment, I had forgotten she said it. I guess she realized at this point she was talking to a child.”
“Merlin. I’ve helped your mother feel better. She will wake up soon and be able to care for you. Do you understand?”
Merlin did. He had watched his mother glow like he did when he got an ouchie. He had tried to fix her himself but he didn’t know how so that’s what he told the lady.
“I couldn’t fix her. I swear I tried.”
“Oh, sweetheart, I know you did. I could feel your magic as I healed her. If it wasn’t for you, she would not have had the time for me to answer the call. You were very brave. Why did you not ask someone in the village for help?”
“Not allowed. People can’t see me.”
“Well your eyes are a little distinctive.” she said with a laugh.
“Would you like me to teach you how to make them look normal?”
“Will it hurt?”
“No, little one. Come here.”
The lady sat on the dirt floor and offered her hand to the little boy. He crawled up onto her lap.
“Now Merlin, I want you to close your eyes and think about what makes you special.”
“Magic.”
“Yes, magic,” she said affectionately.
“Can you find it?”
“Of course, It’s everywhere.”
“Not for everyone, but for you, yes it would be. Find the magic that is resting towards your eyes.”
“I have it.”
“Push it away from your eyes. It will still be everywhere, but it wont show outwardly.”
Merlin concentrated, scrunching up his nose in a way that the druid found adorable. She almost regretted healing the mother. If she hadn’t, she could have taken Merlin away and raised him as her own. It was not her destiny to have a child, she knew, and it was not his to be raised apart from his mother. When he opened his eyes and looked at her, all the gold was gone, but so was something else. She didn’t want to think it, but she wondered if she had made a mistake teaching him what she had. It had seemed harmless but now...what had she done.
“Alright, Merlin. You can do it. Now release your magic.”
“No.”
“Excuse me?”
“No. Now I can be normal. Thank you.”
As the little boy threw his arms around her, ice flooded her veins. Emrys was not meant to be normal. What had she done?

“That was the beginning of the divide. As Merlin grew in power and age, he craved acceptance. He found it sometimes; his mother, Will, and even Gauis gave it to him. It killed him that he thought he would never get it from you. While I am part of Merlin’s soul, you are the other half of it.”
Arthur was horrified and it showed on every line of his face.
“You're saying we are soulmates?”
Emrys bent over laughing. He couldn’t take the expression on Arthur's face, it was too much. Once his mirth subsided to a few chuckles, he looked over at his soulmate. It was hard to tell which amused him more, the anger Arthur was feeling now, or how he would react to the truth he was about to impart.
“Not romantically, you cabbagehead.”
He watched Arthur visibly relax so now he could drop the other shoe.
“That joy goes to your sister.”
Arthur’s sword was in his hand before he knew he had pulled it out. Emrys noticed that some of the knights had taken a break and were watching them from down below. They had no idea what was happening but their lack of action over Arthur pulling a sword, was the final piece that Merlin needed to feel safe with them. Emrys could feel Merlin getting stronger. He knew all he needed was to get this one man in front of him to accept him and everything would be fine. Too bad the man in front of him was such a prat.
“You have designs on my sister?”
“Gods,no.”
Confusion flooded through Arthur. How could he claim Morgana as a soulmate, yet claim not to want her?
“I can’t even stand the witch.”
Arthur began to lower sword and back off. Of course he couldn’t stand her. They had hated each other for years, before Morgana had even called upon the immortal army with her treacherous sister. Morgana had even tortured him.
“It’s Merlin that loves her.”
With those few words, Arthur’s sword was back at his throat and Emrys was grinning like a fool.
“No.”
“Yes, and you need to accept that or you will never get Merlin back. Trust me, I don’t like it either. Her magic has been tainted and she will need to work hard to cleanse it. When she does, you will see that two of the people you love the most, will be happier than you can ever imagine.”
Arthur dropped his sword. He saw the truth in those golden eyes. He had already known he would forgive Merlin and Morgana for the lies and betrayal he felt, but part of him was scared he was going to lose them both anyway.
Emrys knew he was so close. He could feel Merlin begin to merge with him again. The fear that had shaped and split the two halves was ebbing away in light of everyone’s acceptance of him. There would still be moments, they knew, where the sheer power he possessed would cause fear and doubt in his friends, but they would be moments. Fleeting and inconsequential. The only thing Merlin needed now was to know the man in front of him, truly trusted him. Emrys wasn’t sure how to prove it to him though. Originally he had planned to make some big showy scene, maybe call his dragons down, and force his magic down Arthur’s throat. It’s the reason he chose the battlements. It felt wrong though. He was missing something. Something Merlin needed but he couldn’t understand. Arthur feared Merlin’s magic. He had to combat that fear, right?
Arthur could see the war going on inside Emrys. He hoped that meant that Merlin was fighting. It was odd to think of the two of them separate but that was the whole point of this. He finally understood that Emrys was Merlin’s magic protecting the young boy. In order for it to do so, it needed to manifest into what had seemed like another personality at first. He was wrong, though. It wasn’t another personality. He could still see Merlin, even in Emrys. He saw it in the way he grinned and the joy he found in annoying Arthur. He had seen it in the puppy dog eyes he had given Gwen in the council room yesterday and the easy camaraderie he had with the knights when he snuck down to the tavern last evening. Emrys was Merlin, but Merlin wasn’t Emrys. Emrys was too in your face, whereas Merlin knew subtlety. Emrys reveled in making a show of everything and enjoyed the fear that came along with it. Merlin didn’t want people to fear him, he only wanted acceptance, so did that mean that he needed Arthur to not be afraid of his magic?
“Emrys?”
“Yes, Arthur?”
“Do you like hunting?”
Emrys wondered where that came from. Of all the things the king could have said, that was nothing Emrys would have expected, but maybe it would help him figure out what Merlin wanted, no, needed from Arthur still.
“Yes. I like hunting. Why? Thinking of keeping me around as a hunting buddy? It wouldn’t really be fair to you. I wouldn’t even need a weapon to stop a stag’s heart from across a field.”
“Why do you like it? Merlin hates hunting.”
“Merlin is complicated. When we speak of hunting, I assume you mean trips where furry creatures die and Merlin has to deal with that?”
“Not necessarily.”
“Good, then let me explain Merlin a bit to you. Merlin is a pure soul. His has to be, because the one he loves needs his light to balance her darkness.”
Arthur interrupted. This line of questioning all came about because he saw the darkness in Emrys.
“You have darkness too. I saw it yesterday in the council room. You enjoyed the fear of the council members.”
“Maybe I did, but I didn’t harm them. I can kill, and I have but that doesn’t make me evil. We have never liked killing in any manner and when we hunt for food, we thank the animal for its sacrifice. I don’t kill for enjoyment like you do.”
Again, Arthur felt angry. Did Merlin/Emrys whoever it was think that he liked war? Think he liked cutting men down and destroying families?
“I don’t enjoy killing.”
He could hear the coldness in his own voice, despite the heat that was flooding his body as the anger rose.
“Humans, no, but those cute furry creatures? You love the hunt, Arthur. You love pitting yourself against them and coming away the victor. If you only hunted for food, Merlin might not hate it so much, but you hunt for sport. It’s not sport if they can’t fight back. If I gave a deer a crossbow and the ability to use it, do you think you would be so quick to choose it over another undefended animal?”
Arthur wasn’t convinced. After all, Emrys admitted he liked hunting.
“You are a hypocrite. You said it yourself, you enjoy it.”
The sky darkened and rain began to pour down. Lightning crossed the sky and thunder boomed. The wind howled yet Arthur was not cowed. Arthur felt the ground beneath his feet begin to quake, and yet he stood his ground, even crossed his arms for good measure. He had already figured out that Emrys was a showoff. He would never harm Arthur no matter how angry he was, and the king could see, he was very, very angry. Good. Arthur was mad too.

Emrys felt the power flow through him, sure and sweet. He knew he could smite the man in front of him with a single thought. A hypocrite he called him? Him? Did he think he knew him so well just because he knew his human half?
“So I am a hypocrite because I can see the beauty in the magic of one life giving way to another? When we hunt animals, I alone can see the magic return to the earth when they die. I alone can see the area beneath the animal welcome the magic back into itself. Merlin does not have that ability. His empathy acts as a block for it, even though this is what would make him feel the pain less. When we hunt humans, I enjoy the power to protect the ones we love and if we are forced to kill, which we both hate, I alone see the magic inside every human become free at last. So, yes, I love to hunt. I love to hunt animals and humans alike, but I do not love to kill, not even traitors.”
“Maybe the reason Merlin is so complicated is because you are?”
Emrys felt his shoulders relax. He let go of the storm he had created and dried the rain. For good measure, he created a rainbow. Such a girl thing to do, but it helped bring him peace after his tantrum, and he wouldn’t deny, it was a tantrum. He had decided against the big show of magic in favor of the subtle. Oh well, the best laid plans and all that. In the end, he still was able to work it in.
“Did you know that would happen?” Emrys wondered aloud.
“I had an idea that if you became angry enough that you would show flashier magic.”
“Why did you want to see it?”
Emrys tilted his head slightly, as if by doing so, he could peer into Arthur’s head and understand.
“I wanted Merlin to see I wasn’t afraid. I knew no matter how mad we both were, that we would not harm each other. It should have worked. Why isn’t he back?”

Emrys sank to the ground. Before he showed off his magic, he thought that Arthur had to accept his magic, but maybe that wasn't it. Finally it all clicked.
“I’ve given you the answer. You just need to figure it out.”
Emrys sat with his back to the wall. He was tired. In order for him to be here he was constantly using his power at a high capacity. Merlin rarely channeled this much and never for long periods of time. He conjured up a huge platter of food and two goblets. He had just started on the grapes when Arthur slid down beside him and stole the bunch away. The two men sat in companionable silence and ate their meal. Emrys knew that Arthur was going over every conversation they had to find the key to Merlin’s revival.
“It’s the traitor isn’t it? Merlin is afraid of him or her? He won’t come back until they are gone?”
“Yes and no, not in the way you imagine, not exactly.”
“Do you always have to be so cryptic?”
Emrys gave a slight smile.
“Yes. I can see now why others do it. Sometimes it's best to let you get to it on your own.”
“Ok. So there is a traitor but Merlin isn’t afraid of them but not the way I think of. That means he isn’t afraid of them hurting him. Makes sense, he does have you to protect him; not that you did such a great job since Merlin is like this because you let him be tortured.”
Emrys wanted to fight but he knew Arthur didn’t mean it. Arthur had already accepted that part of this situation was his fault. Knew that every time he said magic was evil, he had pushed Merlin into locking away part of himself that needed to be free. Both Merlin and Emrys could read Arthur better than he could read himself. It didn’t mean he would let the king get away with careless statements though.
“I wanted to help immediately. He pushed me away because of the fear. He always did. That is what caused this.”
Shamed, Arthur hung his head.
“I know. Sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“Alright. I am really trying here. Could you give me a little help?”
“Merlin fled because of fear. He is so close to returning I can feel it. He feels safer but not because of swords or magic. He has gained what he has needed for so long but without figuring out who Merlin feels is the largest traitor and accepting him, he cannot risk returning. It’s a bit of a traitor’s riddle.”

Emrys rose and looked over the battlements once more, trying to be patient and give Arthur the space he needed to work things out. He wanted to beat the answer over his head but if he were to be whole once more he had to learn to do things Merlin's way in addition to his own. They needed to work together and Merlin didn't want to force anything on his friend.
Arthur was quiet for so long Emrys decided he must have broken something in his mind.
“You know Arthur. I never really knew someone could hurt themselves thinking but you seem to have accomplished it. Did you break your brain?”
“Yup. Now we are a matched pair.”
“Oi. All you did was sit on a wall, eat good food, have great company, and think. I was the one that was beaten, whipped, stabbed, drugged, and had magic used against me because of your family. I deserved to break.”
Arthur was at a loss for words. He closed his eyes tightly, afraid if he didn’t, he would betray every thought and feeling coursing through him. He wanted to rail, scream, and beg for forgiveness. However Arthur knew that despite what he said, he was still teasing him. How could he joke over what had been such a horrific time in his life? His sister was responsible for what happened to him. Then it clicked. The traitor’s riddle. Emrys said family, not sister. In the council room yesterday, Emrys was squeezing Agravaine’s shoulders and he said he wasn’t there for the traitor. Merlin wasn’t afraid of Agravaine. He was afraid of how Arthur would feel knowing someone else betrayed him.
“Is Agravaine the traitor from your riddle?

Emrys closed his golden eyes and Arthur thought he finally had everything figured out. He had begun to suspect Agravaine after they were attacked in the Valley of The Fallen Kings but he had let the older man persuade him that it was someone else. Of course, Arthur didn’t believe it was Gaius for a minute but there had been enough doubt that Arthur had wondered if another had discovered the plans. It wasn’t another though, it was Agravaine all along.
“Emrys?”
Arthur hoped that when his eyes opened they would be blue but all he saw was pure gold as Emrys sighed and slid his back down the battlements as he sat once more.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Arthur. Agravaine is a traitor, I thought I was very clear and obvious concerning that. He is not the traitor from the riddle. The traitor from the riddle has lied to you many times. He has kept secrets that would have changed your life. He harbored the bastet. The traitor was present when your father died, and it was this traitor that released the Great Dragon and hatched another dragon.”
Emrys expected anger because Merlin expected anger. They were both wrong. What they got was a defeated Arthur sliding down next to them and placing his head in his hands. It was at this point that Emrys realized he had no idea what to do. He was the strength and the power. He didn’t do subtle and wasn’t meant to be a guide, no matter what the prophecy said. Merlin was the guide. Merlin was Arthur’s friend and it was a friend he needed now, not an all powerful warlock. He reached inside himself and begged Merlin. It was time. He was accepted. Emrys had made sure that Merlin was accepted and safe by those who mattered most and the ones who didn’t accept him feared him. He tried to convince Merlin he could come out now, but Merlin was stubborn. Yes, Arthur had withstood the rage of Emrys, but could he take the betrayal of Merlin? Merlin would not come out until he had his answer.
He was so caught up in this inner battle, that he never noticed that Arthur had lifted his head and begun to stare at the warlock.
“It’s Merlin, isn't it?”

Arthur tried to piece everything together. Merlin was afraid of a traitor so great that he had released dragons and killed his father, but Arthur couldn’t think of anyone in the castle that Merlin had seemed afraid of. For a brief moment, Arthur wondered if Agravaine had been correct and Gaius was the man in the riddle, before he realized that made even less sense than anything else. Merlin certainly wasn’t afraid of Gaius. Arthur was missing something. Emrys had given it away and Arthur missed it. He thought of everything they had spoken about this morning. Arthur was desperate to figure it out and return the blue to his friend’s eyes. Would they still have a halo of gold, like when he had been young?
“When we were one, our eyes were blue but there was a noticeable halo of gold surrounding them that would have had us slaughtered if your father ever caught word. That combined with the fact that I was the last dragonlord’s heir..” Arthur remembered Emrys saying.
But wait, dragonlord’s heir? The last dragonlord was Balinor?
“People don’t tend to rush to meet the bastard child of the village..”
Balinor was Merlin’s father and just like that, Arthur figured out the riddle.

Arthur raised his head and gazed at Emrys. He seemed to be having some internal battle, probably with Merlin. Merlin, his self-sacrificing idiot of a servant who felt he was the greatest traitor of Camelot. Emrys seemed to reach the end of his battle and finally noticed the king watching him.
“You know you are a giant clotpole, right Merlin?”
Emrys grinned. He knew Arthur had finally gotten it and judging from the sword still in its sheath, he wasn’t going to attack. Emrys felt the power thrum under his skin and wondered what it would feel like to be one again with Merlin and not this separate entity he had been for so long. He felt Merlin jolt to attention within him, listening to the other half of his soul. Maybe now he would finally understand the dragon’s words.
“A half cannot truly hate what makes him whole.”
“The bastet?”
Emrys responded since Merlin was frozen in fear still.
“A beautiful druid girl named Freya. Merlin didn’t know of her curse but even after he did, thought he could save her.”
“Of course he did. I noticed you said present with father, not killed. Once I let my anger go, I understood the old sorcerer had tried to heal my father. Obviously it didn’t work, but that wasn’t his fault. Now I am positive it wasn’t his fault since I am also sure Merlin was the old man.”
“Yes, an aging spell.”
“I am angry about him releasing the Great Dragon, and we will have words about that once he’s back, but I am also positive there was a reason behind it. I just wish he had come to me so we could work it out together. Knowing the idiot as I do though, I’m sure he’s punished himself more than I ever could.”
With that Emrys took his leave. Merlin collapsed in Arthur’s lap crying but back in control. Arthur held the younger man and silently stroked his hair. He wasn’t great with emotions and comfort but his friend needed him so he would be here for him. Eventually the tears came to an end and Arthur found the warlock asleep in his lap. He let him stay that way. At one point Gwen came up with a food tray and set it quietly next to him. She lowered herself gracefully to the ground beside him. He held her hand and let her feed him, it had been awhile since Emrys' magical lunch. Finally he had enough and shook his head as she offered him a strawberry. She took the time to move the tray a bit then curled up to his side.
Softly she whispered, “Is he back?”
“Yeah,” Arthur replied.
“So everything will be okay now?”
Arthur smiled as the sleeping warlock stirred at the low voices. He watched as long lashes fluttered and was entranced by the deep blue eyes surrounded in a halo of gold that were slowly revealed.
“Yeah, everything will be just fine now.”

The end

Chapter Text

Merlin woke up with a start. He could feel his magic reassuring him that he was safe, it was just a nightmare. Outside, he heard thunder boom, and his new rooms were illuminated by lightning. He pulled back his power and the storm outside eased. He made his way to the windows, worried, but there was no heavy rain, just a soft mist. In the first month he had been back, his nightmares had caused him to release power he couldn’t control, leading to storms with heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. The kingdom had faced flooding like they had never experienced, making Arthur ask for his and Morgana’s help. Watching Morgana use her magic to ward homes against the flooding and save crops had gone a long way towards the public accepting her back into the court. They were still wary of the newly minted princess but she no longer had to use her magic to protect herself from thrown rocks every time she went to the lower town. Merlin was a different story altogether. Most people already knew and loved him so his magic was easily accepted once Arthur formally repealed the ban. They had no idea that the flooding issue was his fault so when they saw him use magic to save livestock and push water back into the streams and rivers, they cheered as if he had done a miracle and not corrected his own mistakes. In the last few weeks the nightmares had lessened and the storms were still loud, but the rains had appeared less and less. At first Merlin had no idea why, until he dropped a goblet and it rolled under his bed. He crawled under to grab it and saw Morgana’s enchanted bracelet encircling a straw figure, tied to the underside of his bed. It had warmed his heart that she was trying to help him and he remembered the apology that Emrys had stored for him. He had stayed away from her, not because he wanted to, but he was afraid she wouldn’t want to be near him. Now as he glanced out his windows, he saw her standing on the battlements as she was want to do, and he felt compelled to go to her.

Morgana watched the storm ease as she did every night, waiting for the moment when the skies calmed down. She knew the severity of the storm depended on how violently Merlin was dreaming. She was always afraid to ask what he was reliving in his dreams but she didn’t have to ask. Others did it for her. It was after she overheard Merlin tell Gwen that his harshest nights were reliving the mandrake root torture, that she had the idea to put something else under his bed. She wasn’t brave enough to offer him the bracelet her sister had given Morgana herself, but she could attach it like she had the mandrake root, and have it project its magic to him. It didn’t work as well as it would if he had worn it but the storms had lessened and the flooding had stopped. Now she could tell how bad a night he was having by how long the storm lasted and how viscous it was. Tonight’s was exceptionally bad, but it was over quickly. He rarely dreamt more than once a night, so her watch was over for the evening. She turned to head back to her chambers when she saw a figure standing quietly nearby. Jumping, because her magic hadn’t warned her, she relaxed slightly when she recognized the warlock. He came closer and she could make out the golden halo around his beautiful blue eyes. 

“I didn’t mean to scare you. You are out here almost every night. Is everything all right? Is anyone giving you trouble?”

“How can you even talk to me, let alone worry about me after what I did to you? Don’t you hate me?” Morgana felt the tears begin to fall from her eyes. 

Merlin reached forward, emboldened when she didn’t back away or flinch like she had after the Emrys incident, as he thought of it. He wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled softly at her. 

“A half cannot hate that which makes it whole. I forgave you, Morgana. You need to forgive yourself now.”

She threw herself into his arms and let him cradle her as she wept. She didn’t deserve this man, yet she wanted what he offered so badly. Merlin let her cry, knowing they both needed this moment to move forward. When finally she calmed and pulled away, he pulled her bracelet from his jacket and offered it to her.

“I appreciate you trying to help with my dreams, but don’t you need this? Is that why you are here instead of sleeping?”

She took the bracelet, running her fingers over the etching. No, she no longer needed it.

“I should have taken this off long ago. I might have seen the positive future Arthur was trying to build if I had. No, my dreams are filled with light and hope now, not fear and death. Yours, however, are different. I know you are forced to relive my torture every night. I watch the storms to see when your suffering ends for the night. I want you to have this. If you are willing, it will work better on your person.”

She slipped the bracelet over his wrist, smiling softly when he let her. He could have lied to her and claimed he dreamt of other things, but Merlin had decided that he would no longer live in fear, and that meant being honest instead of being afraid of hurting someone with the truth. It would do Morgana more good to help, then to pretend she hadn’t hurt him at all. 

“I promise to take good care of it until it is time to return it to you.”

Merlin leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. 

“Good night, Morgana. Thank you.”

He was gone before she could move more than the finger she had pressed to her lips. He really had forgiven her. She had no idea what she had done to deserve it but she remembered her own dream from the night before, with the dark haired, green eyed baby, with big ears. Maybe instead of a dream of hope, it might be a vision of her future? Only time would tell.