Chapter 8

The nerve of him, Aria thought to herself, hurriedly making her way back to her chambers. She hadn't gotten much reading done, neither had she taken any books for herself. Merlin had so conveniently found her in the library and chose to cross a boundary they had drawn and agreed never to overstep. First he kisses me then he asks me if I still love him. Who does he think he is? Of course Aria didn't want to act as if she hadn't missed Merlin at all- she did, and some days, enough that her heart ached. But it didn't mean it gave him the right to do what he just did.

But there was one thing Merlin had a right to do- warn Aria of Morgana. She still had a hard time processing the fact that the king's ward had turned on them like this. Morgause must have corrupted her- otherwise, Morgana had always been kindhearted and caring and would never want to see her close ones fall, not even Uther.

Aria opened the door to her chambers and froze momentarily. Gwen was in the room, standing relatively close to Arthur, his hand over hers. Once they heard her walk in, Gwen backed away from Arthur, blushing furiously. Arthur cleared his throat. "Aria," he addressed, "You're back early."

"Yes, I… didn't feel much like reading anymore," the princess shrugged, wondering if her eyes were deceiving her again. If she wasn't mistaken, Arthur had been quite close to kissing Gwen. I'm going mad, she convinced herself, putting on her most polite smile. "How is everything here?"

"I just… came to check on Naya," Gwen offered, fidgeting in her spot.

"Yes, she's been sleeping soundly this whole time," Arthur assured, nodding his head. "Nothing to worry about." Why were they both acting so anxious? Was Aria not supposed to walk in just now?

"I should go. Goodnight, my lord and lady." Gwen bowed quickly before exiting the chambers in a haste. Aria watched her leave, confusion evident on her face. She turned back to Arthur who noticed her expression. "Is something wrong?"

"No," she replied, though she should have been asking Arthur that. "Nothing at all."

"Good." Arthur turned his back to her and distracted himself by tidying up the papers on his desk. Aria tilted her head to one side and observed his actions. "I know you're nervous," she murmured, walking towards him, "It wasn't an easy decision that you made today."

The prince paused. "No, I suppose not."

She touched his shoulder reassuringly. "But I do have faith in you, Arthur. Your father will get better and he'll see how you've protected Camelot."

The corners of Arthur's mouth pulled up in a small, slight smile. "Your support is much needed, Aria. But I think it best neither of us stress too much about it tonight. We should get some rest, especially you."

Leaving her, he walked behind the screen to change. Aria sighed deeply, feeling like more secrets were being kept from her. And she could not shake the idea that Gwen was here for more than just "checking up on Naya." The small glances hadn't been missed by her and it was starting to make her feel uncomfortable, even if she was one to talk. Don't think about it, you're being ridiculous. Just be the dutiful wife you're supposed to be.

Not just dutiful. But brave. Aria recalled a year ago when the Great Dragon was unleashing his attack on Camelot and she had run out to get water. Arthur had feared for her life then, and that night, it was like something had changed. He was different, he started to notice her after that, and possibly have some feelings for her. And she had let him down when she ran off, but for good reason. Aria had wanted to do something instead of sit around and wait for Arthur or Merlin to come save her. And tomorrow… there was more at stake. It wasn't just her life now, it was Naya's. And waiting around wouldn't save either of them.

Aria had to be brave. As a princess, a wife, and a mother.

Preparing for a siege was easier said than done. The villages from the lower town made their way into the citadel, bags in hand, children following the mothers, men leading the pack. The knights had gathered weapons as the members of the household gathered provisions, aware of the possibility they could be trapped in the citadel for weeks. The maids set up beds for the treatment zone and put together clean supplies to take care of future injuries. That was the worst part - the certainty that there would be casualties. No one spoke of it out loud, save for Arthur who stated it without hesitation.

Merlin was scared, to be honest. The fact that Cenred's army was marching under Morgause's and Morgana's power meant more than just a war with swords and shields- there would be magic involved. Serious dark magic. The warlock would have to be twice as alert and keep track of where Morgana would be running off to. Whatever she was doing was bound to be dangerous.

He found he was letting his anxiety get the best of him as he was tightening the prince's armor for battle. "Sorry," he whispered, frustrated, accidentally pulling too tight. Arthur watched him warily.

"It's not like you to get nervous," the prince commented, fixing the armor himself with his free hand. Even at a time like this, he was teasing the warlock. Some things just never changed.

"I'm not nervous," Merlin replied, shaking his head. "Because I trust in your destiny." Fighting a smile at the puzzled look on Arthur's face, the servant went to get his master's sword.

"Have you been on the cider?" quipped Arthur, looking at Merlin weirdly. He smiled to himself and pulled out the sword slowly, admiring its shine. He weighed it in his hands and said softly but surely, "It is your fate to be the greatest king Camelot has ever known." Merlin handed the sword to Arthur. "Your victory today will be remembered. At every age… till the end of time."

Arthur looked so touched, he seemed reluctant to take his own sword. "Just trust in yourself," Merlin said confidently. He returned to the supplies on the table, mentally applauding himself for his little speech.

"There are times, Merlin, when you display a sort of… I don't know what it is… it's not wisdom," Arthur said immediately, scrunching up his face in thought, searching for the right word. "But yes… that's what it is…"

Merlin couldn't contain his self-satisfied grin. Arthur snapped out of trance and smirked. "Oh, don't look so pleased. The rest of the time, you're a complete idiot." Of course. But Merlin knew very well the prince meant every word he said, no matter how sappy and unlike him it was. There would be time to bask in the glory of it later. Right now, there were more important things at hand. The warlock looked around the room, just noticing that Aria was nowhere to be seen. Naya was gone too.

"Where's Aria?" he called out to Arthur. The prince tucked the sword into his belt, a strange look on his face. "I ordered her to take Naya and go down to the treatment zone. Gaius is going to need all the help he can get tonight."

Merlin furrowed his brow. "Won't they be safer up here?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Merlin." Arthur didn't meet the warlock's eyes and dismissed the thought from his head. "Aria's not alone, she'll have Gwen for help."

"Is it really safe for them?" his servant questioned.

Arthur tipped his head back impatiently. "You know, Merlin, sometimes I am thoroughly convinced that you and Aria discuss these things behind my back, because she asked the very same things you are. She was even worse, she put up a fight about it. Now stop worrying."

"I can't help it," Merlin muttered, looking back over at the table.

"She's not your wife," Arthur snapped, all feelings of appreciation and praise for his servant's wisdom melting away in that instant. "She's mine. I will worry about her. Not you."

The possessive tone in Arthur's voice surprised Merlin and he held his hands up. It wasn't like the prince to declare out of nowhere what was his and make sure no one else even touched on the subject. Especially not with Aria. If Merlin didn't know better, he'd say the prince was trying to make something very clear to him. It made him shudder to think what it was, because he already knew.

After that, the casual bantering was over. The battle was about to begin.

Merlin and Arthur parted ways momentarily, the warlock leaving the prince out on the battlefield. The knights had put up a wall to fight off Cenred's black-clad men. They were doing everything in the power to keep the men from coming into the citadel. Merlin ran to the treatment zone, where it was already crowded with maids tending to wounded knights. His eyes scanned the crowd for the most important person to keep an eye on. They spotted Morgana worriedly bent over a wounded lower townsman. She was dressed in her own armor, a green cloak draped over her shoulders. Satisfied, Merlin went to Gaius who was patching up his own man. "Gaius, one of us needs to keep an eye on her." He motioned with his head towards the king's ward but the old man knew who he was talking about.

The physician nodded confidently. "Don't worry, I am."

"You must not let her out of your sight," Merlin pressed, breathing heavily from all his running. It was crucial to keep Morgana under their eyes at all times. There was no telling what she would do to assist Cenred and Morgause. The loud sound of a burst of flame frightened everyone in the room and they ducked as if it would help. It was getting heated out there and Arthur needed Merlin.

"I have to get back to Arthur," he spoke quickly, turning around to leave after another quick glance in Morgana's direction. Gaius nodded, going back to work. At once, Merlin froze in his spot and turned back around, unable to believe he had forgotten his second thought. "Gaius, where's Aria?"

The physician lifted his head and looked over his shoulder. "She's over th-" he stopped mid-sentence.

Goddamn it, Aria, Merlin cursed in his head, looking around the room frantically. "Arthur said she would be here with Naya."

"Last I remember, Gwen was looking after Naya." The two looked and saw Gwen was missing too. Gaius turned his head to face Merlin, reading his expression carefully. "Arthur needs you, Merlin."

"I need to find Aria," Merlin hissed, leaning in.

"What you need to do is go to Arthur's aid," Gaius whispered back, "Aria will turn up, she has Gwen with her. Go, I'll watch out for Morgana."

"But-"

"Merlin. Go." The old man stared at him sternly. Sighing heavily, Merlin turned around and ran out of the treatment zone, swearing nonstop in his head. It was very much like Aria to go and get herself into trouble at a time like this, wasn't it? And with Gwen and Naya! How dare she endanger their daughter's life? I swear, wait till I get my hands on the princess, oh she is going to get it from me good… right after I make sure Naya is safe.

Merlin ran back out into the square, appalled by the sights around him. Cenred's men had been tossing large, fire-covered rocks into the citadel, spreading flames all over the place. Shouts filled the air, including the sounds of sword on sword, armor against armor, knight against knight. A flaming cloth-covered rock blasted inches away from him, sending him flying and onto his stomach on the ground. The breath was knocked out of him and he struggled back up to his feet. More and more shot out of the sky and as Merlin looked around, he saw every inch of the castle swarming with Cenred's men, climbing the walls, battling off Arthur's knights. And somewhere on the outside, sat Morgause and Cenred, marveling at the mess they had created.

Merlin ran over to where the entrance to the citadel had been blocked, the madness before him a sight to see. His eyes found Arthur and shockingly, Uther, an arrow edged into his leg, his face scrunched up in pain. Arthur had grasped onto his father tightly and screamed out "Retreat! Retreat!"

The knights backed up, running off and Cenred's men climbed over the blockage, swords in hand, shouting. Merlin's eyes flashed gold as he muttered, "Forbearnan." A stream of flames burst out in front of the men, halting them in their path. Once that was done, Merlin helped Arthur take his father back. They stopped at the well and the prince leaned down to pull the arrow out of Uther's leg. The king was constantly insisting he battle but Arthur stopped him, asking his father to trust him. Merlin supported Uther all the way to the treatment zone. A few serving boys took him and lay him down on a free bed. Gaius was not around.

Merlin searched the room for the old man when his eyes found Gwen. And not just Gwen. His blue orbs widening, he ran to the serving girl, who was trying to calm a very hysterical Naya in her arms in the corner of the treatment zone. She did not even look up to him, all attention on the crying child.

"Where's Gaius?" he asked, leaning down.

"I don't know," Gwen brushed off, "Now's the time, Merlin, I have my hands full."

"Where were you? Where's Aria?" Merlin demanded, raising his voice over Naya's shrieking.

"She told me to come here, and said to especially not tell you where she was," Gwen reported, hushing the baby in her arms. "Naya, please stop, your mother will be here soon…"

Oh, I am definitely going to kill her, Merlin seethed to himself. He looked at Naya, inconsolable in Gwen's arms. She was not safe here and without Aria, she would not calm down. Well, go on then, he told himself, you're the father, aren't you? Do something.

He held out his hands, "Here," he said gently, "Let me take her."

Gwen widened her brown eyes at him. "Have you gone mad?"

"Gwen, she's not safe here," Merlin insisted, "And you're not doing a good job either. Give her to me."

"I was told specifically-"

"I'll deal with Aria later, just give. Her. To. Me." Something in Merlin's eyes told Gwen to do what he told her. Gingerly, she passed Naya over to Merlin and the same feeling that had taken over Merlin the first time he held the baby came back. The noises in the background seemed to fade away as he took one look at the girl in his arms. Slowly, Naya's shrieks turned into soft mewls and her stress melted away. Despite the current situation, a smile broke out onto Merlin's face. It worked.

Gwen was gawking so much, one would have to physically shut her mouth for her. "How did you… but…"

"No time to explain. Come with me." Merlin stood up with Naya. Without asking any questions, Gwen hurriedly followed Merlin out of the treatment zone. He led her back inside the castle. Arthur was wrong. Naya would be safer in her own chambers with Gwen looking after her than down there.

"Merlin, Arthur does not want us up here," Gwen was snapping in a low tone of voice. "And don't run with the baby, Aria will kill you!"

"Not unless I kill her first," Merlin muttered, opening the door to Arthur and Aria's chambers and running inside, minding Naya. He put her in his crib and faced Gwen who was practically breaking down in nervousness in front of him. "Were you together?"

Gwen nodded, biting her lip. "We were up here. Aria and Arthur had been arguing earlier about where Naya would be safer. It eventually got to the point where Arthur was commanding her as her husband."

Very much like her to not listen. Merlin gritted his teeth. "When did you go back down?"

"After a little bit, Aria told me to take Naya and go down to the treatment zone. We saw Cenred's men climbing up the walls of the castle. Merlin, please believe me, I was forcing her to come with us but she kept telling me to go ahead-"

Merlin grabbed Gwen's shoulders. "It's alright, I understand. Did she say where she was going?"

The maid was silent. Merlin threw his head back in exasperation. "Gwen! I don't care if she told you not to tell me, we're already breaking orders by bringing Naya back up here."

"She just… she said there was something she had to do." Gwen closed her eyes and shook her head. "I don't know if that meant she would go out there and battle or… or outside to Morgause, but I didn't know what else to do, I-"

Something struck Merlin and at once, the warlock knew. Aria was going to go to Morgana. She was going to try and stop whatever she was doing. He took a deep breath. "Gwen, I need you to stay here with Naya. Do not leave the room until all of this is over. If Arthur comes back before me, tell him that I brought you up here."

Gwen nodded, but she had the expression on her face that she was scared out of her mind. "Will we be safe up here."

"I guarantee it. The knights are holding back Cenred's men. You'll be safe up here." Merlin looked back over at Naya who was starting to fuss a little. He went over to her, and she looked up at him with wide, innocent blue eyes. He swallowed, wishing he could stay and protect her. But first, it was Naya's mother he had to protect. "Gwen, go get another blanket."

Once he was sure the serving girl was out of earshot, Merlin lightly touched Naya's forehead with his fingertips. He closed his eyes and muttered a simple spell under his breath. When he opened them, they flashed gold. Slowly, Naya's eyelids began to close and she was asleep in a few moments, just as Gwen came back. Merlin straightened up. "I have to go, Arthur needs me."

"What about Aria?" Gwen said fearfully.

"I'll find her too." Merlin exhaled sharply. "Look after Naya. Don't let any harm come to her, understand?"

The maid nodded for the thousandth time and Merlin ran out of the chambers and down the hall to Morgana's. He burst through the doors to find it empty. Morgana was not here and neither was Aria. When Merlin ran back out, he stopped short. A strange sensation seemed to shoot up out of him, from his legs up to his head, convulsing his entire body. There was a ringing in his ears and an abrupt silence that followed afterwards. For a split second, Merlin was disorientated until he regained sense of his whereabouts but the ringing stayed. What was that?

Abandoning all plans to find Morgana and Aria, the warlock sped back out to the square in hopes of finding out what had just happened to him. He stared at the chaos before his very eyes as if seeing it for the very first time. Arthur was helping a knight when his eyes fell on Merlin.

"Merlin! Where the hell have you been?" The prince was calling to him.

He snapped out of it and ran to Arthur. "Nowhere!" he called back, stopping short when he caught a peek at what was behind the prince.

"What's your excuse this time?" Arthur waited for a response. "Oh come on, you can do better than that."

This was not the time for humor. Shakily, Merlin raised a finger and pointed behind him. Arthur raised an eyebrow and turned around, freezing up just as his servant had. Skeletons armed with swords were making their way towards them, bones making clacking noises as they walked. An army of the dead… this was Morgana's work.

Wasting no time, Arthur swung his sword at the first skeleton, backing up when the dead man swung back. As the knight battled one, another was coming at Merlin. The two fought the skeletons off and ran back inside the castle and up the stairs. Arthur stopped him and told him to have Gaius seal off the entrance to the hospital. Another dead man was coming at them. Merlin suddenly realized his mistake- Gwen and Naya were still back in the chambers. And Aria and Morgana were still missing.

"Merlin! Do as I say!" Arthur snapped. Not thinking twice, Merlin ran up the stairs, praying the prince could hold the dead back long enough so he could put an end to this.

Aria had spent a good portion of tonight keeping tabs on Morgana. She had followed her all the way down to the crypts of the castle, watching her every move and deciding on the right time to make herself known. The princess wasn't stupid; she had come armed with one of Arthur's swords, though not dressed very comfortably. Fighting in a dress was a task all on its own… if it came to fighting that is.

Morgana had a staff in her hand, but knowing her, it was an artifact of dark magic. She watched as the ward tossed aside her green cloak and walked to the very center of the crypts. Raising the staff, she slammed it hard into the ground with a fierce shriek, breaking the tiles. The staff glowed and though Aria was not sure what it had caused, she was well aware it was going to make Arthur's job of protecting the city a lot harder.

The woman stood there, grinning victoriously to herself. She did not even consider how much suffering she was causing; to the city, to her friends, to all those who cared about her. And Aria was willingly going to admit she had just a little problem with the fact that someone was putting her daughter's life in danger.

Enough was enough. Aria stepped out from hiding spot and Morgana whipped around, gasping a little. The princess was not afraid of her.

"Aria!" she breathed, putting on an act. "You must go, it's dangerous here."

"Oh, drop it, Morgana," Aria snapped, gripping on to her sword, "Enough with the games, I know what you're doing." They heard a banging and both glanced up. When they looked back at each other, Morgana was smirking. She was putting no effort into her act at all. "You should leave now while you still can."

Aria began to circle her, forgetting about being harsh. "Morgana, please. Women and children are dying. The city will fall."

"Good!" Morgana spat.

"You don't mean that," Aria shook her head. "What's happened to you? What's happened to my friend?"

Morgana's mouth twitched and she swallowed. "I've changed, Aria. I've become what I was born to be. I have magic. I will not sit back and let Uther use his hatred for magic as reason to take innocent lives. Let him see how his people suffer, then maybe he will truly understand what I and the rest of my kind feel like."

"You would put the lives of the people you love at risk to prove a point to him?" Aria countered, "My life? Arthur's? Naya's?"

"Don't even start with me," Morgana said angrily, "Making it out as if you care for Arthur's life. You're just as much of a traitor as I am. A married woman yet you're sleeping with his servant behind his back!"

Aria's jaw clenched and her fingers tightened around her sword. Morgana went on. "I saw the way he took his own life with yours, don't try to tell me that it was nothing between you two. In fact, it's more serious than you want me to believe. Much more serious. And I saved you so I like to believe a thanks is in order." The ward smirked a little. "I threatened Merlin before and now I will do the same to you. Meddle with my plans and I will waste no time in telling Arthur just what his wife and his servant have been doing behind his back. With that, he won't spend a long time, putting two and two together."

"How could you do this to me?" Aria murmured, fighting angry tears, "I thought we were friends."

Morgana took a deep inhale of air. "As did I. But it looks like we've both been keeping some dark secrets from each other. Friends don't keep secrets, princess."

"They don't betray each other either, you traitor," Aria shot back, raising her sword. "So it looks like we're even."

"Looks like it." Morgana lifted her sword as well. A few seconds passed before she lashed out and swung the weapon at Aria. The princess blocked it firmly. "Want to know another thing?" she called out, blocking more of Morgana's swipes. "We're not friends anymore."

"Fine by me," Morgana scoffed, the clanging sound of their weapons loud and echoing, "I could never be friends with a little whore who cheats on her husband."

Aria thrust her sword out at her in a fit of rage and Morgana barely evaded it. "Don't you ever call me that!" She was taking deeper swings with each word, too quick for the ward to act. A look of fear crossed Morgana's eyes as Aria continuously attacked her. "And I could never be friends with a lying, manipulative, sadistic-"

"Aria!" The familiar voice distracted the princess and her sword hung mid-swipe. Her eyes averted to see Merlin had just come in to the crypts, staring at the two of them, mouth dropped open. Morgana took the opportunity and sliced the sword. Aria shrieked out and dropped her sword, clutching at her stomach and doubling back. "Aria!"

Merlin caught her before she fell back in his arms, lowering her to the ground. The princess was breathing unevenly and looked down. The area where Morgana had cut was now bleeding profusely. A dark red stain was growing larger on her dress, the pain sharp and stinging. "Stupid bitch," she muttered.

"What were you thinking?" Merlin shook his head, supporting her head with his hand, the other over her wound. "She could've killed you."

"She's not stronger than me," Aria snipped, her words dripping with venom as she glared up at Morgana. The ward was smirking down at the two of them.

"How I wish I could save this moment and show it to Arthur," she faked sadness, "It's just so beautiful, the two forbidden lovers in one room. If only Naya were here, it would complete the picture."

Merlin's fingers grasped a lock of Aria's hair angrily but the pain of that did not compare to Aria's flesh wound. "You lay one finger on her…" Merlin's words trailed off.

"You'll do what?" Morgana challenged.

They were interrupted by Aria. "I am going to hurt you for this, Morgana."

Merlin held her closer to him. "Shh, Aria, stop, you'll make it worse."

"Honestly, what do you see in him?" Morgana sighed, "You're married to the future king of Camelot and you settle for his bloody servant."

"Screw you," Aria shot, lurching forward then falling back, her fingers stained red.

"Aria," Merlin hushed. He lifted his head up to meet Morgana's eyes. "Morgana, I beg you. This has to stop. Please."

Morgana glared at them coldly. "I have magic, Merlin. Uther hates me and everyone like me, why should I feel any differently about him?"

"You of all people could change Uther's mind!" Merlin continued. Aria glanced up at him. He was trying to sway her but it wouldn't work. "But doing this, using magic like this, will only harden his heart."

"You don't have magic, Merlin," Morgana laughed without any trace of humor, "How could you hope to understand?"

"He does understand!" Aria blurted without thinking. "Believe me… he does."

"Aria, that's enough, you're only hurting yourself," Merlin interrupted her.

"Don't say things you don't mean, Aria," Morgana added.

"She's not wrong." Merlin looked back up at the ward. "If I had your powers… I would harness them for good, use them the way they should be. That's why you were born with these powers."

"You don't know what it's like to be an outsider!" Morgana cut him off icily. "To be ashamed of how you were born, to have to hide who you are!" Her eyes shifted to Aria, the coldness fading away a little. :Do you think I deserve to be executed because of who I am?"

Aria was fighting tears again. "No… I don't. But it doesn't have to be like this. Morgana… we can find another way."

For a minute, the woman appeared to be reconsidering her course of action but it was replaced with the same stony expression. "There is no other way." Morgana's decision had been made. Aria bit back the words she wanted to yell at the ward, make her see sense. But it was no use. Merlin helped her up to her feet and another surge of pain hit her. She pursed her lips to keep it down.

"Take her to the hospital," Morgana said, looking down at the floor. "I don't want to see her die."

"I won't die," Aria coughed, bent over. She was starting to get a little dizzy from the blood loss and reached over to support herself on the pillar. She had expected to be dragged back up to the treatment zone but what happened next was spontaneous.

Before anything else could be said, Merlin ran forward and tried to grab the staff. Morgana was too quick for him. She hit him on his side, knocking the breath out of him. The woman grabbed her sword and pointed it threateningly at the warlock.

"What are you going to do?" Merlin egged on, backing away from her, "Kill me?"

"You know I very well can," Morgana reminded.

"Then you better make it quick." Swiftly, Merlin grabbed Aria's sword and fought Morgana off. Both had completely forgotten about the bleeding princess.

Well, this is just dandy, Aria thought sarcastically to herself. We're both going to die here, me from bleeding, Merlin from being an idiot. Struggling to stand up straight, Aria fought back the piercing in her stomach and looked to see Morgana had knocked the sword out of Merlin's hand. She pointed it inches away from his chest. Resisting the urge to scream out in agony, Aria ran, grabbed the sword on the floor, and swiped at Morgana's arm. Morgana let out a yelp, a fresh cut adorning her arm. She turned around and glared hatefully at Aria. "Couldn't stand to see a precious servant die, could you?"

"Not my precious servant," Aria seethed, fighting against her own wound and going at it with the ward. Merlin ducked behind a tomb. Aria shot him a split-second look, sending a telepathic order he easily understood. Not stopping at all, she resumed fighting when they heard a rumble coming from the ceiling. It crumbled and Aria felt herself being pulled away from it. Morgana screamed as the rocks fell on her, knocking her out. The princess stopped and stared at her unconscious body before feeling herself being tugged in the other direction.

"The staff!" Merlin shouted. Aria nodded and her head, holding up the sword and running to the center of the crypts where the staff stood. Merlin followed behind her. "Say the word, warlock," she said, ready to strike. The servant called out a spell and Aria swung with all strength, breaking the staff into pieces. They had done it.

Dropping her sword, dizziness overtook Aria and she cried out freely, pressing a hand to her cut. Fortunately, Merlin caught her again before she fell on her back.

"I've got you," he assured.

Aria turned her neck and smiled weakly up at him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Merlin returned the smile. "I could never get you to stay out of trouble, could I?"

"Not even." Aria cried out again, killing the sweetness of the moment. "Get me the hell out of here, my stomach is on fire and I'm going to pass… out…"

"Whatever you say, princess." Merlin bent down and picked Aria up and ran out of the crypts before any more damage could be done.

The following morning, the city was on its way to rebuilding the destruction caused last night. After Merlin and Aria broke the staff, the army of the dead fell and Cenred retreated his men, putting an end to their attack. Anyone wounded spent the night in the hospital, save for Aria, who had been moved to her chambers. Gaius had stitched up her cut and wrapped bandages around it, cautioning her to take it easy from the all the blood loss.

Thankfully, Gwen and Naya had been safe, much to Merlin's relief. Arthur had the maid take care of the child while Aria properly healed. This time, he did not yell or throw a fit about Aria almost getting killed again. She fed him a made-up story about being attacked by a skeleton while running down to the hospital but he was just glad everyone was safe now and let the matter drop.

It appeared that Uther was back to normal as well. He stood at his throne, crown on his head, a kingly look on his face. He had an important announcement to make and had everyone come to the main hall to hear him speak his mind. Merlin had been a nervous wreck all morning; him and Aria had left Morgana in the crypts last night. After what they did, it was impossible she would not say anything to Arthur and the king. The warlock spotted Arthur walking with Aria to the front of the room. By now, he would know what happened and not even the sight of him leading her carefully reassured him everything was fine. He anxiously stood beside Gaius, waiting.

Uther stepped down, ready to make his speech. "In my time, we have won many battles," he started, "None so important as this. Every man, every woman, every child performed their best. I thank you. And I salute you all." Uther paused and continued. "Even before the battle, we knew there was a traitor in our midst."

Merlin and Gaius exchanged glances. "One who was almost the undoing of us. However…" Uther smiled brightly. "We have to thank the one person who outwitted them. And who almost single-handedly turned the battle."

The warlock held his breath and looked over to Aria who had turned to Uther, interest gleaming in her eyes. Was this possible? Were they going to receive praise for what they did?

The king held out a hand. "The Lady Morgana!" The color drained from both their faces as the crowd broke into applause and Morgana glided over to the king. She took his hand, smiling broadly and stepped up to level with him. "I have never seen such bravery," Uther boasted, "She found the magical vessel and destroyed it."

Merlin looked from Gaius to Aria and then to Morgana who looked humble and shy at Uther's praise. Aria was glaring at Morgana with the most venomous of glares, the warlock was glad looks could not kill. "We must stand vigilant! We must stand against the dark forces of magic and make sure that they never penetrate our walls again."

The ward diverted her attention away from the king and to Merlin, a hate-filled stare that burned into his eyes. Merlin stared back, not to be intimidated by her. There was no mercy to be shown anymore. Morgana had come close to killing him and Aria. She did not care anymore of their lives.

It's on, he told her without uttering a word. It is definitely on, Lady Morgana.

A/N: I couldn't stand to put this story on hold much longer. I love my OC too much to keep the updates away from you all this long. I hope this was good enough for the hiatus I put it through!

Believe what Merlin says. It's on. Morgana's not only threatening their lives, but the lives of a very important child as well. And parents can get preeeeetty fierce when it comes to their offspring.

Review away, readers. Next chapter will be up soon.