Morgause stared blankly out the window into the night. From her window Morgause could see the rubble of the abandoned castle she was staying in illuminated by the stars. But Morgause barely took in the depressing sight beneath her because her mind was deep within the dungeons of the same castle she and her sister had occupied for the last year.

Or more accurately, on the persons in her dungeon.

Before today her decision would have been simple, she would have the two men killed and be done with it. But what the boy had told her had shocked her to the point that for the first time in her life she was unsure of what to do.

She thought of when her men had brought the two men to her and her sister in the old throne room. It had been an unexpected surprise, Morgause had been discussing plans with Morgana when her men had brought the two men to her.

"My Lady" one of her hired men interrupted with a bow

"How dare you interrupt?" Morgana exclaimed

"Calm sister," Morgause placed a hand on her sister's arm, she was always too rash and quick to anger "What is it?" she asked of the man.

"We came across these two on a hunting trip while on a patrol My Lady and thought you would be interested." The man said as four other men entered with two prisoners.

The two prisoners were dragged in front of the proud sisters and forced to their knees.

"Well, well, well," Morgause said turning her back to her plans "Look what we have here."

"Hello brother." Morgana smirked

"YOU!" The prince of Camelot yelled as he struggled against his captors

Morgause glanced briefly at the other prisoner and recognized Arthur's meddling manservant. She smirked as she quickly thought of finally taking her revenge before turning her attention back to the main prize.

"Now that you've joined us, my prince we can get rid of you so that you're sister can take her rightful place as the sole heir to the throne." Morgause said

"No!" Arthur screamed "Morgana is not my sister! She will never be queen!"

"Oh on the contrary brother," Morgana said maliciously "No matter how hard you wish otherwise we are bonded by something far stronger than titles, blood. And you shall be my brother until the day you die, which I think is upon us. Is it not sister?"

"Yes it is," Morgause said as she picked up a dagger from the table behind her "Hold him still."

Two guards took hold of the struggling prince and Morgause slowly made her way over to him with the knife in her hand. She held the knife to the prince's throat and looked into his eyes. They were defiant but she could see the fear in his eyes. She was about to make the fatal cut with the knife when the manservant cried out,

"No! You can't do this!"

Morgause broke eye contact with the prince and looked at the man who had ruined so many of her plans. "Merlin, you shall soon see that I am fully capable of killing your beloved prince."

Merlin had a tortured look on his face as if trying to make a decision. Morgause started to turn back to Arthur when he cried out once more.

"You're making a big mistake!"

"Shut up, Merlin!" Arthur ordered, but Morgause ignored him and looked over at Merlin.

"Tell me Merlin, why would killing the only man who stands between my sister and the throne be a mistake?" Morgause asked

Merlin had the tortured look on his face once more as he glanced back and forth between Morgause and Arthur.

"No answer then?" Morgause asked as she turned towards Arthur once more "Good bye Arthur Pendragon."

"BECAUSE HE IS THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING!" Merlin yelled

Morgause froze, her eyes wide with shock. "What did you say?" she said softly.

"If you kill him," Merlin said with sad eyes "you will ruin everything that so many others have given up so much for."

Morgause abruptly removed the knife from Arthur's neck and placed it on Merlin's.

"Where have you heard that term before?" Morgause asked coldly

Morgause remembered that when Merlin looked her in the eye, there was no fear in his eyes, even with a knife in his throat. He had a certain confidence that she had never noticed before.

"I have heard many people use it." Merlin said vaguely

"I should kill you right now for even implying that a Pendragon could ever be the Once and Future King." Morgause threatened

"No!" Arthur cried still restrained by Morgause's men "Merlin stop this madness. Kill me and let him go, he's only a servant."

"Apparently he's much more than a servant," Morgause said softly her eyes never leaving Merlin's. "Leave us" she commanded.

Arthur struggled as the guards took him out, crying the name of his manservant, and Morgana left shooting a confused glance at her sister which she ignored.

Morgause left the window and sat in a chair. While alone, Merlin had explained how many Druids and even the great dragon had confirmed Arthur's destiny and that when the time was right Arthur would bring magic back to Camelot. Morgause thought that Merlin was withholding information, but the shock of learning that Arthur Pendragon, son of the man who had killed hundreds if not thousands of sorcerers, was the Once and Future King was enough.

After Merlin had finished explaining, she had ordered the two men to be in separate cells in the dungeon and she had come to her chamber to think.

Everything that she had done over the last few years, everything that she had worked for had jeopardized Arthur's destiny, a destiny so bright and hopeful that Morgause felt sick to her stomach for even thinking of damaging it.

She had wanted Morgana to be Queen so that she may bring magic back to Camelot. She loved her sister dearly, but during Morgana's short time as Queen she had done more harm than good.

Her sister was the only compelling reason she had to kill Arthur. With Arthur out of the way Morgana could become Queen, and Morgause would help her rule. But was her thirst for power worth ruining Arthur's future? Either way magic would be restored to Camelot, but if she waited for the prince it could take years before he changed the law. And by then dozens more sorcerers could have died.

Morgause knew the answer she should choose, but it was not the answer she wanted to choose. Just as Morgause was making up her mind there was a knock on her door.

"Come in." she called out

Morgana entered the room dressed in a stunning red gown. "Sister, are you all right?" she asked her tone concerned.

"Yes, I'm shocked is all." Morgause replied

Morgana sat in the chair next to Morgause, "Who is the Once and Future King that Merlin spoke of? And do you truly believe that he and Arthur are the same person?"

"The Once and Future King is a king prophesized by the Druids to bring magic back to Camelot when all seems lost. He will restore peace and justice to Camelot and unite all of Albion."

"And you believe that Arthur is this Once and Future King?"

Morgause paused before responding, "Merlin definitely believes it."

"But do you?"

Morgause hesitated before saying "Yes, I do. And I am going to order the guards to release them."

"No!" exclaimed Morgana as she shot up from her seat "If you release them then I cannot become queen!"

"Morgana," Morgause said as she rose from her chair "this has become so much bigger than us. We must support Arthur and the future he represents."

Morgana shook her head rigorously "No, I cannot believe this. Arthur hates magic just like his father, and he will be just like Uther when he is king!"

"I no longer think so. Even as prince, Arthur has changed many things in Camelot. He's made commoners knights and you've told me yourself that he aided you in rescuing Mordred from execution. Maybe he is different than Uther."

"No son of Uther Pendragon will bring magic back to Camelot!"

"You are wrong Morgana! People like us give magic a bad name which is why Arthur hates it now, but if we can show him that not all magic is bad then maybe he will bring magic back sooner rather than later."

"And what about me? I have a claim to the throne also!"

"I'm sorry Morgana, but Arthur must be king!"

"You would choose him over your own sister?"

"This has become so much bigger than us. If Arthur truly is the Once and Future King then our desires for power are meaningless."

"I can't believe this," Morgana said eyes wide "You really are choosing him over me."

"No Morgana it's not like that…"

"You'd prefer to see a magic hater on the throne of Camelot than your own sister!"

"No! I…"

"I thought you would help me unconditionally! That is what sisters do."

"I'm sorry."

Morgana shook her head, tears in her eyes, and stormed out of Morgause's chambers.

Morgause took a deep breath and wiped the tears from her own eyes. Sudenly a thought occured to her.

She could deal with Morgana later but she had a destiny to release.