A/N: So here's the story I've been writing. I wanted to wait until it was complete to post, but here I am putting up the intro anyway. This is for a challenge over on HoC and is an expansion of a drabble by the same name (the original can be found in my "Glimpses" collection, chapter 15). The cover was made by LadyHeatherlly.
Please enjoy :)

Arthur clutched his wife to his chest as she shuddered in her sleep, rest fitful for the second night since returning from the Cauldron.

Guinevere had been her normal self after leaving the waters, showing no indication of remembering what had happened since her capture by Morgana- until distressed cries woke her husband a few hours after dark had fallen. Upon waking, the queen had once more been cheerful, though there had been a glimmer of uncertainty in her eyes, particularly when she had looked at Merlin or Arthur.

As the nightmares grew more violent the king tried again to wake her- previous efforts having been fruitless. Whether it was his calls that roused her or the terror, Arthur felt hands grip his shoulders with bruising force, nails biting into tender flesh.

"Guinevere?"

Sobbing was the only reply as tears wet his bare chest.

"Shhh, shh... it's alright; I've got you. You're safe at home," Arthur murmured soothing assurances until his wife began to calm. Then she pulled away abruptly.

"What's wrong?"

"How... how c-can you even look at me?"

"What?"

Guinevere was clearly confused and more than a little bit fearful, beginning to leave the bed until Arthur pulled her back in. She went rigid in his grasp as if expecting pain.

"Look at me. What are you talking about?" He tried his best to be gentle, turning her head and staring into her wide brown eyes.

"I tried to kill you, Arthur!"

"That was Morgana."

"But I remember it- sneaking out to meet with her, giving her information, poisoning you!"

"Guinevere," he took her hands, kissing each in turn. "None of it was your fault; don't let Morgana's evil come between us. We can get through this together. "

Pleading blue eyes met hopeful brown which swiftly filled with new tears.
"But you don't know what I did! To you, to Merlin-"

"Merlin?"

"Merlin!" The queen threw herself out of bed, grabbing an overdress that had been hastily discarded earlier in the evening and shoving her arms through the sleeves as she rushed toward the door.

Shock only delayed him for a moment and Arthur managed to catch his wife before she went dashing through the castle half-dressed in the middle of the night.

"Merlin is fine, no doubt sleeping peacefully this very moment."

Guinevere stopped trying to pull out of his grasp, finally considering what time it was and blushing at her rashness.

"Now are you going to tell me what this is about?"

"Morgana; she tried to kill Merlin."

Arthur's blood ran cold. "What?"

"I- I helped a boy sneak in and he lured Merlin out while Sarrum was here- you remember he was missing?" The blond nodded dumbly. "He... Morgana poisoned him. He was dying and I told you he went to see a girl."

The king was too shocked to reassure his wife when she began sobbing once more.

"How did he survive?" He wondered aloud. The only sign that Merlin had been any worse the wear had been a limp; one that disappeared shortly after Arthur commented on it.

"I don't know... but Morgana was furious. She hates him, Arthur- what if she tries again?" She looked up, wide-eyed, as this last thought occurred to her.

Arthur hugged her tightly, burying his face in her hair.

"I won't let her succeed."