The takeover of Camelot couldn't have gone better. Before the night was out, the city was within Morgana's grasp. The people within it and those who guarded it would not be so easily taken.

"Our guests?" asked Morgana.

"We have Gaius, Gwaine and Elyan in the dungeons," informed Agravaine. "We managed to track Arthur to the north but a rock fall prevented us from searching any further."

"You will find him Agravaine," Morgana uttered quietly. The man almost shivered at the ice in her voice, it would never fail to impress him.

"Of course my Queen. We will have help, I assure you." He made a signal and two soldiers were let in, leading a man into the hall. Blood ran in a thin stream from a blow to his head but his eyes shone with awareness, guarded. The prisoner was brought forward to kneel in front of the throne Morgana sat in.

Morgana gazed at him for a moment, her face unmoving and scorn burning in her eyes. "Tell me where Arthur is." Her prisoner continued glaring at her coldly, his back straight and unwavering.

"Of course not. I didn't expect you to yield easily." She moved, reaching her hand into a box by her side, cupping her hands together. "Do you know what this is?" she asked, displaying her prize to him. His gaze flickered down before staring back at her dispassionately.

"Snakes again, Morgana?" he said in a bored tone.

"It's called a Nathair. And I can promise you, Merlin. Your stay here will not be pleasant. Unmicel snaca, suge ba soban... swilcnesse!"

Little snake, suck his true nature. It could try. There's no way Merlin would let it take anything, especially not his magic. Merlin dropped his gaze to the floor to hide the golden flash of his eyes. For an instant, he could feel his magic rush through him, giving him strength.

The next moment a dark force slammed into him, sending him reeling. It was everywhere, under his skin, the air in his lungs, clawing at his head and it was burning. The fear of burning in Camelot had been part of his nightmares ever since he first heard of it. He never thought he'd die burning from the inside. Morgana looked on, her dark gaze gleaming.