Author's Comments: Really sorry, all, for the really long update. Classes have been insane…every time I begin to write something interrupts me. Anyway, a thank you to all the folks for the new follows and favorites. Secondly, I'm sorry, as well, if I haven't been able to get back to a review if you've left one, though I can assure everyone that the story will continue. As a sign of good faith I am releasing a chapter for both my stories and the beginning to one of my many "idea" stories for hopefully a start to a good read.

*Chapter is only moderately edited. There might be a mistake or many!

Chapter VII

"Death or Desire"

Morgana and Merlin…

"Uther won't let you go. You have to know that."

"Please, Merlin! I can't go back there!" she begged desperately in a way that was beyond the flowing of tears. It was an expression of pure terror.

"My lady, I'm just not- OW!" Merlin had trouble figuring out what to say and received a slap for it. An expression of pure terror had turned into ferocity very quickly.

"I told you! No more calling me a lady! I'm done with Camelot. I'm done with the fear. I'm done with Uther. I'm done playing the good little ward. I'm just... I can't do it. I'm so tired...so very tired..." Morgana was at wits end and Merlin had known this, but to see her in this state was very different than knowing. It broke him in ways he hadn't known since his father's death. She was a friend, one of the very few he'd ever had and this is how he had repaid her. He had let her fall this far into despair. As for destiny, he realized that if Morgana would turn evil it would because it was evil done to her. To forget about her made him no better than the killjoy sorcerer burners around him. "Have you nothing to say, Merlin? Nothing at all?"

He had been silent all along. Fear flared to his very core of his own voice to sound. Merlin had decisions to make and none easy at that. "I have a lot to say, but of all to first say that I'm sorry."

Her lips parted, makeup stained in the shape of fire from her tears. Her hands gasped Merlin's own with fierce pleading, "No..no! I did not mean any blame to fall upon you. They are my own problems and I know...I shouldn't have placed so much burden on you. It must be scandalous to see Camelot's once finest, so says Uther, to be reduced to such a wretch that you see in front of you."

"You shouldn't say things like that. Especially if none of it's true."

Morgana shook her head causing a flurry of black locks to flow around her. "You don't have to always defend me. The truth is still there no matter how anyone looks at it."

"But its not the truth," he insisted.

Morgana eyed him carefully, suddenly suspicious, "Why are you saying this?"

Merlin felt his eyes glisten, "Because I-" Unfortunately, he was unable to finish the thought as clapping found its way into the small meadow that the two had inhabited.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Don't end this touching display on my account. I rather enjoy romantic tales of the forbidden, MERLIN."

Arthur and Guinevere…

"Arthur Pendragon!" she scolded. "Do you not know when to stop?"

He gave her a sly grin, "I only stop for dinner."

Guinevere glanced at his belly, "I'll say."

Arthur's mouth dropped. "Are you calling me fat?" The maid chuckled before continuing down the road. "Guinevere! I'm not fat!" She continued to laugh while ignoring him. "Guinevere wait," he insisted. "It's true!"

For a time, the Prince and the Maid traveled down the path of endless road as if it were something out of a tale of old.

"Guinevere," Arthur slowly, as humanly possible, moaned. He stumbled in a way similar to the drunks that corralled the tavern day and night.

Her eyes rolled around exhaustedly, "For goodness sake, Arthur. You're acting like such a child."

Arthur halted in his tracks, gazing into her eyes, his own that of utter hurt. "Guinevere… I would expect such comments from Morgana, but not you. Never you! Your innocence is lost, how could this beeee?!"

Guinevere was taken aback; Arthur's sense of sarcasm lost upon her. "Excuse me? What about my innocence? And how is it any concern of yours?"

The Prince's eyes widened realizing what he said, "I..only meant."

"Meant what? Meant to continue upon boundaries too far?"

"Guinevere-" The prince abruptly silenced himself when he heard voices near. "It could be Merlin and Morgana!"

Morgana and Merlin…

The couple jumped to their feet to meet their uninvited guest…or…"Arthur?"

"Yes, MERLIN?" Arthur loomed ever closer, his demeanor growing dark and deadly. Merlin had only seen Arthur like this when he had nearly killed his own father, Uther. Those were times near that Merlin would not like to revisit at all.

Perhaps Merlin could talk his way out of this- like he always does. "I swear, this isn't what it looks like-"

Arthur scoffed with a sadistic and uncommon laugh, "I'm very sure there's a very logical explanation."

Morgana pulled Merlin behind her, she was a small woman, true, but very strong when she desired. "Calm, Arthur. You don't appear to be yourself."

"How can I be anyone else aside from myself, Morgana? Get out of my way. NOW!"

Morgana was caught of guard, her mouth dropped open at Arthur's aggressiveness. "Such wit. You are definitely not you right now. I…wait. Where's Guinevere? Tell me now."

Arthur now stood directly neigh in front of her face. "You are in no position demand anything from me."

"Whats wrong with you?" She shook her head as though a dream had taken her.

Arthur leaned in, breath beating her face. "You are irritating me. Get out of my way. Merlin and I are about to have a civil conversation."

Morgana's eyes trailed the ground. But then something snapped in her. Her eyes popped back to Arthur's with blazing fire. "No."

It was easy to hear the curling of leather from Arthur's fists. "Fuck you, Morgana. Everyday you hound me- all high and mighty."

"I wouldn't," she snarled stubbornly, "if you weren't such a child."

Merlin could see it coming, but he was too busy fighting a battle of his own. Two of his friends… no this couldn't be happening.

Arthur took a swing and struck Morgana in the face. She groaned and fell back against Merlin, who was in a stupor. He caught her, but she only needed him to brace her fall. She yet stood in the face of Arthur. "Is that the best you got?"

"Wrong choice of words," roared Arthur as he punched Morgana again. This time, she fell to the side in a thick heap.

Seeing her like that… it sparked a power in Merlin. He whispered some of his magic words that pushed Arthur into the sky and onto a branch…enough to kill him. "No….no…ARTHUR!"

"You know," said another voice coming out of the brush, "that was rather disappointing." The man was bald and clean shaven. His robes were foreign and that of incredibly fine posture stood similar to someone who held themselves in high regard… like a king of sorts. Though, it was for certain that the man was a sorcerer. Merlin could feel the magic rolling off of the man as if he were the ocean and the magic: water.

Merlin's felt his anger reach points as never before. He rounded on the man, ready to strike with magic. "You…you did something to Arthur…enchanter."

The sorcerer tsked at Merlin, "For someone so powerful comes nativity just as strongly. I would advise you to take another look at your friend."

Merlin humored the man and widen his eyes. Arthur was not Arthur…he was just some random man now. Perhaps a brigand? "What is this trick?"

The sorcerer smiled, "A trick, yes, but a test even more so."

"Explain." groaned Merlin, "Now. I have no patience for riddles."

"Ahh the essence of youth. Yes, well lets straight to business and say that you failed said test miserably."

Merlin shook his head, "I'm not here to impress you."

"Yes," the man held up his finger, "but you are here to save all creatures of magic are you not, Emrys?"

Merlin narrowed his eyes, how could he trust a man who hides behind tricks and half truths. "I'm just here to be 'me.'"

"You can not escape destiny forever."

"What do you want?" He wasn't about to continue to edge around the man's riddles.

"What I want is irrelevant; however your desires are more what I'm here to discuss."

"Go on…"

"This test was to see if you were to follow your destiny or chose along the lines of our utter destruction. You chose the latter. Thus I will warn you this final time. You must cease your fraternizing with that witch. It will only lead down a path of chaos unknown."

"Find someone else to play your games!"

The world behind the sorcerer grew dark, "I think you misunderstand the matter. There is no choice. YOU HAVE NO CHOICE. If you feel a burning in your heart that is because you are dying. In a week's time- if you have not resolved your feelings for the witch, you will die."

"I think you're bluffing. You need me."

"Make no mistake, Emrys. Chosen one or not, I am the Puppeteer and you merely the puppet. I will make you dance and obey at every whim and now I command you to dance."

"No! I will not listen to you. These prophecies…I can change them…I will change them!"

The man chuckled, "Remember, you have one week. Do try and keep yourself alive." Before Merlin's very eyes…he was gone. Not a single sound or anything…just gone.

What had Merlin got himself into this time? Was he dreaming or was the sorcerer really here? He felt fear for Morgana and quickly remembered that she had been hurt. He dropped down to help her. Hair was tangled over her head and she lie to the side. Merlin scooped in his arms, her head lying on his shoulder. "Morgana, you need to wake up…" he whispered as not to startle her.

Her body remained motionless, green eyes slowly slide open and danced all about. "Mmmm… oh I know you!" she giggled.

Oh boy..yeah she had a concussion. Hopefully it's minor. Arthur's gauntlets can do some real damage. "We're just going to rest here awhile, ok?"

"Mmhmm, as long as you keep me warm."

Merlin blushed heavily, "Ahh…how do you feel?"

"You know…my face really hurts…"

The wizard servant nodded and produced a small flask from his pack, "Drink this, it will numb the pain."

She did so with a tiny smile, "I no longer look pretty do I?"

Merlin chuckled and swept aside the rest of the hair around her face. "It will take more than a few bruises."

Morgana giggled again, "You are always so nice to me."

Merlin looked away, feeling guilty as ever. How could he keep secrets from her? How could he purge his feelings for her? Why did everyone have to control his life?

"Merlin…?" She must have noticed his hesitance. Even hurt, the ward was perceptive with human emotion.

"Tomorrow, we're going to talk."

Her eyes still wandered, clearly unable to bring herself to focus. "Is this about Emrys?"

The wizard servant's eyes grew wide. So she had heard some of the conversation. "I…yes…sort of."

"Okie, I'm going to sleep now." Her eyes drifted closed.

He shook her, "No no no- not yet."

She groaned disappointed, "I think you just fancy gazing into my eyes."

"Oy, you got me there."

"Well…you have me awake…maybe…ummm you can tell me a story?"

Merlin twitched slightly, "I'm not sure I have anything interesting to say." He could only think of the many tales of his own adventures…all of which involved using magic.

"Don't lie to me. There has to be something."

He signed. "Umm how about a story about magic?"

Her eyes widened, "Would you? You aren't afraid?"

"No..not one bit."

"Then please…I want to hear." Her eyes were bright as a small child's waiting fro a gift. Merlin could only find the beauty in it. It might be strange, but in this moment… none of it mattered. She was hurt and Merlin could only feel his heart melt with her in his arms.

"Ok..well… In a kingdom of lands farther than anyone can imagine, a prince with the smallest gift of magic reigned…"

Arthur and Guinevere…

The voice was gruff and near as uncivil as any can be. The words neigh all left out a proper pronunciation or two. "I've never known Kojar to have any wits about him. He treats us like craven dogs to be beat and I'm tired of it."

A second voice as bad as the former responded. "Oi, I known it all along! I means he's taken that raven haired woman for his own. What about us? We have needs you know."

Arthur's eyes widen, drawing his voice to no more than a whisper, "Do you think they are talking about…" Guinevere shushed the prince, she wanted, no, needed to hear what these animals were planning.

"Fuckin hell, mate. You're right. What do you reckon we do?"

"We gather the boys and take our share. Simple as that."

"Genius that is. I hadn't the thought of that. The others would fancy a bit of a scrap with the ole' boss."

"That was the plan from the start! And they said I wasn't cut out for this line of work." Lucky the voices began to trail off, but Arthur and Guinevere wanted to be sure that they were safe and listened further.

"Who said that?"

"Some lad I stuck in the gut a while back."

"Probably deserved it."

"Right so he did!"

When the bandits were no more than a muffle, Guinevere was tense as ever, not wanting to give into any acknowledgement of fear, "No...no, it just can't be."

Arthur was counting on his fingers. "Well there aren't many raven haired women that I know of."

"I know... I know..." The maid's expression was downtrodden as her eyes peered towards the ground. Though, it was only momentarily before they came back with a fire of determination. "I- you have to help her. It doesn't matter who. You just have to!"

"I'm not sure we should get involved. We don't know how many there are, not to mention priorities. Father would kill me if he knew I lost Morgana out here."

Guinevere groaned softly, "What if the woman is Morgana! You just said so yourself. We need to help her."

Arthur's eyes narrowed in thought. He paced a moment then turned to look over his shoulder, "Then we have no other choice."

Author's Comments: Probably going to get the girls' perspective in the next chapter.