Chapter Text
Arthur is not tired. He is worn out. He searches his memories for Merlin's face to calm him down, to remind him how beautiful the world is outside the castle. He hadn't realized how bleak and cold his life was without him, much colder than the warlock's skin. Because life vibrates under the marble of his skin, not in that of Camelot. Arthur now understands why his love didn’t come to visit him ; his house was a sort of suffocating prison. But it remains his home… he tries to convince himself. Uther Pendragon's fist hits the table violently.
-“If he's not hiding in the city then search the entire territory. I double the reward to anyone who gets their hands on the Winged Warlock !”
The Witchhunters bow before leaving… Arthur doesn't say anything. Morgana either. His priority was to protect the ward from the King's threats, but he still had the furious urge to go and stop the hunters… He can't even do that for Merlin. Too dangerous.
Uther sits down with a breath, looks at his Councilors before resuming the meeting.
-“What about the rumors about these Black Druids ?”
-“Sire.” answers Leon. “Several reports of knights during their rounds. They would be mighty black-clad, armed druids traveling through Camelot. They never kill, we don't know how many there are.”
-“Increase the rounds. Kill anything wearing black on sight.”
-“Father, some villagers could have black clothes ...”
-“It doesn't matter. Camelot's safety is more important. We must stop any armed uprising among magic wielders. It's an order.”
Arthur doesn't respond, his clenched fist shaking against the table. Uther notices, slowly leans against the back of his throne before repeating.
-“It’s. An order.”
Morgana glances at her brother, he can read all of her fears in her eyes. He swallows and slowly relaxes, only to keep his voice as calm as possible.
-“Yes. Sire.”
Only then does Leon react and stand next to Arthur to listen to his orders about the new patrols.
***
Morgana and Arthur enter the latter's room. Gwen is already there, having brought a tray for dinner. The maid no longer bothered with courtesies when they've been in private since a few weeks. The hardships they went through and are still going through made it strange that she kept this respectful distance from them when it was undeniable that she had become so much more. A true friend, courageous and loyal, far more than Camelot's own Knights. She quietly passed the messages to Elyan and Gwaine living in town, organizing their own council outside the castle in their own way. They had acquired their habits at the beginning of this harsh winter ...
And one of those habits was to bicker whenever they met in private after a long day enduring the King's mood swings.
-“I can’t cover your insubordinations anymore Arthur. It catches Uther's attention, the slightest doubt will stoke his anger ... I can't handle it forever.”
-“You don’t think I know that ‘Gana ?! You think I’m playing with him ?”
The sudden anger surprises her and he blames himself immediately. He turns to the fireplace above which rests the golden flower offered by Merlin ... There were only three petals left. He hadn't answered any of his calls. He sighs.
-“I can't stand the hypocrisy of this man anymore ... I don't recognize my father; neither the King without concessions for magic, nor the man who loves his family. He uses both in the worst possible way for a stupid stake. A revenge that he only brought on himself.”
-“I know Arthur…” calms Morgana, standing next to him now. “But we know better, and we can do better.”
He manages to smile, a sad and hurt smile. Someone knocks and Leon enters as soon as Arthur lets him. He bows but the prince asks directly.
-“So ? Those Black Druids ?”
-“We don’t know Sire. It seems that they are always two, one very young, the other very powerful. The worst they have done is some broken bones and burns to our Knights.”
-“Gwaine said he found some traces of them but he lost them everytime.” precises Gwen. “They know how to hide.”
-“So… It could be Merlin… with Mordred ?”
-“May be.”
The silence is torture. They still have no idea what the warlock had planned. They don’t know what he is doing. Morgana takes a deep breath.
-“Tonight, I’ll try to focus my visions on him. I don't promise to succeed, it will probably take several nights.”
-“Do your best dear sister… Gwen, can you tell Gwaine to search again ? Leon… I'm counting on you to guide the troops in a ... convenient way. As long as we’re not sure who they are, we must not bother them.”
They all left after another brief moment of silence and Arthur looks at the flames, alone. He should eat. He’s not hungry.
***
Someone suddenly walks into his room in the middle of the night. Arthur instinctively grabs his sword before recognizing Morgana, breathless, terrified, her back against the door. He then puts down his weapon again and gets up. He approaches his sister slowly but it is she who takes the last steps, grabbing his bare arms, desperate.
-“He-... I saw him. I saw…”
-“Hush now… Calm down first.”
She forces her breathing to find a smoother rhythm. She rests her forehead against Arthur's shoulder, who is holding her in his arms. She's still shaking ... What kind of sight could have put her in this state? She swallowed hard.
-“He was… like a shadow. Eyes so dark, surrounded by darkness. Only his hands were red… with blood. I think-... I think he will kill…” she panics again.
He hushes her again, strokes her hair gently, silencing his own anxieties.
-“And then… your sword was shining light. So much light it blinded me. And I woke up. I can’t understand the meaning of this but this… this felt so much like a nightmare.”
He can't answer her. He would like to reassure her so much, but his own fears, his own nightmares prevent him from doing so. He can't visualize Merlin the way Morgana described him. Merlin is his moonlight, so pure, so soft, so benevolent… But neither can he deny the state in which Morgana finds herself. She pulls back to look him in the eyes, terror still on her features.
-“What if we lose him ? What if it’s the only way to unite Albion and free magic ?”
-“We won’t. I trust him.”
And the strength of this trust would overcome everything.