Change of Plans

[Arthur Pendragon]

While Merlin may be serious, Arthur was not going to be. This was the easiest way for him to cope with the situation. He was not about to get overly dramatic and emotional, not matter how scared he was. "I know you're always eager to be the hero Merlin, but as I said to you before, it really doesn't suit you at all," he said sarcastically. He was recalling the conversation he had with Merlin at the labyrinth of gedref when challenged with Anhora's test. Arthur did not let Merlin die for him then, and he sure as hell wasn't going to let him die for him now.

"Besides, I got us into this mess, it only seems fair that I be the one to get us out," Arthur added, far too casually. It was true though. They had all come to save Elyan, and he would not have been in danger to begin with had Arthur not allowed his enemies to discover his feelings for Guinevère. "I still don't know how they knew . . . about Guinevère and I," he commented, thinking aloud this very frustrated and curious thought. Who would have told them? There were very few people who knew, and Arthur trusted every single one of them amongst this selective group.

As for a plan . . . "I'm working on it." Alright, so that was far more optimistic sounding that the reality of the situation. He had no idea how to get out of here. "However we get out, we're all getting out," he said, re-emphasizing the fact that no one would be left behind as a sacrifice. Arthur would not allow it.

[pie]

Merlin sighed and looked away from Arthur once more. "Right, so trying to be a hero, here," he mumbled sarcastically to himself. Why couldn't Arthur just accept the offer? Or at least not insult him... if you could technically call it that. Of course he didn't appear the type that would be able to hold his own... And of course, he probably wouldn't be able to, with both Morgause, Morgana, and Cenred's men -- leaving out the King, of course -- all within the building. Still, he might be able to put up a fight.

When Arthur said that it would only be fair for him to get them all out, Merlin looked back at him. Fine, let the Prince just think that. He hadn't gotten them into this mess, Morgana did. She was the traitor, after all. He couldn't just tell this to Arthur, though. Besides, he wouldn't believe him. "Arthur..." he sighed again and shook his head. Of course Morgana would know that Arthur and Gwen had feelings for each other. She was close to the Prince, and to Gwen. Being around the two so much, surely she would be able to figure it out after all that time. "Well, Morgause has magic, Arthur. We should both know the kinds of things magic can do. Perhaps she was spying on the two of you," he offered, and added to himself, One day, these words are going to dig me into a hole.

Working on it? "Sooo..." he drawled out in a tone that was a mix of disbelief and seriousness. "You don't have a plan?" It was more of a statement than a question. He didn't mean to sound pessimistic or anything, but really, without a plan, the more danger they were in. The more danger the others were in. And, while Arthur may be thinking on one, that didn't change that fact. He also gave a reluctant -- but unable to hide some relief -- nod to Arthur's last words.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"Well that's certainly what it sounds like," Arthur said casually. He would have made another sarcastic joke -- sarcastic because he knew that Merlin did have habit of doing rather heroic deeds, even if Arthur gave him hell for it. He had saved his life a couple of times -- as Arthur of course did not quite realize just how many times his servant has come to his rescue -- so he knew that Merlin was capable. It was however something that Merlin said that caused Arthur to pause and just look at him with surprise.

Morgause. Camelot had many enemies, but Arthur considered her to be one of their greatest. What she had done . . . creating false images of his mother . . . was completely unforgivable. And she was here? Had she sided with Cenred? Is that . . . where the skeletons had come from when Cenred attacked them? So many thoughts flooded Arthur's mind, and yet the most dominant one was how much he despised her . . . and how badly he wanted her dead. She had almost made him kill his own father! She had kidnapped Morgana! Which was yet another unforgivable act of hers. She had put the entire kingdom under a spell! Yes . . . she was indeed one of Camelot's greatest enemies indeed.

Arthur felt the angered emotions build up within him. He abruptly stood up, beginning to pace around the cell. Now more than ever he wanted to -- needed to -- get out of here. "Morgause," he repeated, as if allowing the name to register in his mind. "She's involved in this?" He asked, still pacing, asking Merlin without really locking his gaze on him. Morgause's name alone hit a nerve in the Prince and to find out that she was involved in all this . . . that she was the one who was using his feelings for Guinevère against her and everyone here . . . it just made Arthur detest the sorceress even more. "You saw her?" He asked, suddenly wondering how Merlin knew of her involvement with this. Arthur had not seen her . . . where had Merlin.

[pie]

When Arthur looked at him, he had to force himself from not widening his eyes in return. Right, Arthur was without the knowledge of Morgana and Morgause working together, he wouldn't be able to readily assume that Morgause was behind this. He shifted uncomfortably as Arthur suddenly stood and began to pace about the cell. He should have known not to say Morgause's name and just played stupid. But it had slipped out, and he had said it without thinking.

He tried to ignore the questions, but he knew that they were directed at him and not rhetorical, he would have to answer with something to get Arthur's suspicions off him. It wouldn't be good idea to say the truth, as who knew what that would cause from the man? Perhaps just a hint of the truth? That way it wasn't a complete outright lie? Saw her... No, not really... Not this day, at least. Though that was what Arthur meant, he was sure.

"It was just a glance," he said, drawing his eyes away from the Prince and to stare intently at the door. "It might not have been her. It's just, she's an enemy to Camelot, so I just assumed that she might be behind this... Remember how she showed you the illusion of your mother. She doesn't exactly like you."

[Arthur Pendragon]

He had not forgotten the fact that she had shown him an image of his mother. How could he? It felt so real. It had seemed so convincing. Enough that it nearly caused him to kill his father. It was a terrifying thought to think of how close he had come to doing that. Had Merlin not been there to say something -- anything -- to alleviate that intense anger, then Arthur's temper and irrationality would have jeopardized the entire kingdom. It was a horrible incident to think back to, yet every time he heard Morgause's name, he could not help it. It was what fueled his anger and hatred towards her. She was a powerful sorceress and to hear that she had sided with the man and kingdom they were at war with . . . well, they were fighting a greater enemy than Arthur had initially thought.

So wait, Merlin was not sure? "How can you not be sure?" He snapped, not having meant to display his anger towards Merlin. It was not his fault . . . and this was not something he would ever blame him for. This entire situation was Arthur's fault. He paused, trying to take a deep breath to collect himself so that he would not lash out at Merlin again. "It was probably her," he added. He trusted Merlin's judgment and know -- or presumed -- that he would not even had mentioned her name had he not been sure, or at least leaning towards the possibility that she was involved. "This is all beginning to make sense. This is not the way that Cenred usually fights. It is clear that he is getting aid or some sort of advice from elsewhere." This type of warfare was more manipulative, more sneaky . . . it had Morgause written all over it.

[pie]

Merlin shrugged resignedly at Arthur's snapping tone. Yes, the words had upset him a little, but only because of how he had spoken them. Though he knew that Arthur hadn't meant to be rude, that he wasn't mad at him. It was this whole damned situation! He wouldn't have it any other way, having come to save Gwen's brother -- well, any other way besides NOT being in this cell, captured --, but it could have gone a LOT smoother and he wouldn't have complained. But he didn't want Arthur to blame himself for it. It wasn't his fault that they got captured. But he couldn't explain the properly to the Prince without telling him that there had been a traitor amongst them, Morgana. And even then, would Arthur believe him?

He'd let Arthur vent his anger on him if he wanted, but he didn't seem to snap any more, so it appeared that that wouldn't have to happen. He listened as he went on to say that it was probably her, and that Cenred had to be getting help from elsewhere. Merlin nodded, agreeing. He knew this, but he couldn't say that allowed. Besides, it might just complicate things and make it all the more confusing if he did. "Yeah, Cenred's pretty stupid, isn't he?" he added, trying to lighten the mood. It probably wouldn't work too well, though. "Morgause is the type to help Cenred's kind if it benefits her. And we know she is prone to help him, I mean, come on, she helped him when he attacked Camelot, right?" Just let everything slide into letting Arthur know Morgause was at the heart of this all. There was no point in trying to convince him otherwise, anyway, right?

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur looked at Merlin when he spoke of Cenred's stupidity, a faint, amused smile creeping up on Arthur lips. It only lasted a moment, as the subject of Morgause -- the one that seemed to dominate the conversation right now -- was never an amusing one. Even if Merlin was pointing out Cenred's idiocy. "He is a strong king, but today just proves the low lengths he will go to, to get what he wants." Arthur did not respect him as an opponent. There were rivals that were seen as enemies, but yet respected because of the way they fought and ruled. Cenred did not fall into this category in the Prince's mind. Arthur found him crude, and lacking any sort of moral codes. It was why Camelot would never fall to him, or Morgause for that matter. Arthur would not, could not, allow it.

As Merlin spoke of how Morgause helped him attack Camelot . . . it seemed to make sense. He knew Cenred was no sorcerer so there had still been no explanation for those skeletons. And now, there seemed to be one. "It would also explain how they knew exactly which entrance we came through." That was another thing that had nagged at the Prince's mind. He was completely sure that they would not have known of the tunnels, he had been willing to bet his life on it. Had he thought there was a chance Cenred and his men would have known, he would not have jeopardized Guinevère, Morgana and Merlin's life like that. But Morgause was of magical; perhaps she used some sort of magical means to discover their plan. He would not put it past her, and he would never underestimate her powers and capabilities.

[pie]

It had been a faint and small smile, but Merlin had still vaguely caught it anyway. A strong king? Of course Cenred was a strong king, but he ruled by fear in Merlin's book, and to him, that wasn't what made someone a strong king. Physicality had nothing to do with it -- though it certainly helped! "Ah, but he's a terrible one. Doesn't inspire much loyalty." he made a 'tsk'ing noise and shook his head. Still, Arthur was right, and they also couldn't take this situation lightly. In fact, they were in a dire circumstance at the moment. Both Morgause and Cenred were here, and Morgana was a hidden player in it all. Against the three of them, the situation was quite serious.

Yes, even if indirectly because of Morgana, if Morgause hadn't been involved, then sneaking in would have been a lot easier. "She probably put a tracking spell on us, she's powerful enough to do it." Truthfully, Merlin wasn't quite sure how they were caught. He knew it had something to do with Morgana alerting them, but how? He had been watching her as closely as he could, and he hadn't seen anything that he thought could alert Morgause and Cenred. He had to have missed something.

[Arthur Pendragon]

That was true. Arthur firmly believed that loyalty was earned, not automatically given. Which was why he tried to earn the trust of the people of Camelot, rather than just assuming it. Of course, there was a certain degree of simply trusting your sovereign but at the same time, Cenred -- in Arthur's opinion anyway -- did not seem worthy of such loyalty from others. He ruled in a ruthless way. He fought like a coward. Even if he did manage to win Camelot in this war -- which Arthur was NOT going to allow happen -- how did he intend to rule two countries on instilling such fear into the people? It would only be a matter of time until the citizens would no longer stand for it, and fight against this ruthless power. So either way, Cenred would lose. "Not at all," Arthur said in full agreement. "Camelot will never fall to a ruler like that." Not while he was alive . . . not EVER!

The suggestion of her using a tracking spell was a good one, an entirely possible one. Maybe that is what she did. Yes. It made sense. Never underestimate magic; never underestimate Morgause. "That would make sense." Suddenly, when magic was thrown into the mix, everything was making sense. He was getting answers to all of the things that had bothered him. From the skeletons, to wondering how they knew about his feelings for Gwen, to how they knew the entrance they had used. "I don't even want to know what sort of deal Morgause and Cenred struck up together." It was clear that their intentions were the same: to destroy Camelot, or at least overthrow it.