Touched(Sequel to Change of Plans)

Dance Of Power

The moon was high in the sky and the stars shone brightly over the city illuminating the streets of Camelot. Music played triumphantly through the streets, but there was no one out to hear it. In fact many of the houses along Market Street were dark inside. The streets of the great city were deserted. Making it all that much easier for Morgana to sneak into the city. The sound of laugher chimed from behind the castle gates. Everyone was gathered in the Court Yard and in the Great Hall of the Castle. Leaving the city boarders unprotected.

So Morgana was able to enter Camelot quickly and without much effort. She was surprised to find the city so vulnerable. She could not help but wonder how Uther would have felt about this. When Uther was King he would have never left the city so vulnerable, and he absolutely would never have invited the entire city to a feast where the peasants could mingle with the nobles. Such a thing would have been seen as a disgrace in Uther's eyes.

In fact that might be the one point in which Morgana and Arthur always agreed. Neither Arthur nor Morgana valued titles the way their father had. As Morgana approached the castle gate she thought of words which had been spoken to her many times before by Gwaine, "Titles mean nothing. It is what inside that counts". As Morgana tip toed among the shadows and passed through the gates she smiled to herself wondering what Gwaine would have said if he had seen this feast that Arthur was hosting. There was a heavy tugging on Morgana's heart as she thought about Gwaine. He was such a brave fool. He had the strength of heart and of body. There was never any question about his loyalty. If he deemed you worthy he would be by your side no matter what.

Morgana wished he would just forget about his loyalty to Arthur. She wished that he could just see things the way she did. Though she knew that would never be. Even earlier that evening she had snuck out of their cottage without his knowledge because he did not approve of her spying on Arthur, but Morgana just could not help herself. She had to come back to Camelot after meeting with the Druids.

Standing in the dark shadow cast by the great wall that surrounded the Castel, Morgana stood with her back pressed to the stones. She listened to the music echo through the air around her as she thought back to the argument she had with Gwaine before sneaking away.

Gwaine stood with his back to the fire as he looked at Morgana worriedly, "You must forget about Arthur, forget about Camelot, and everything that happened there..... Everything beside me." Gwaine smirked then continued to speak to Morgana before she slipped out of the cottage, "I understand the hatred you feel for Arthur. I know how much you suffered at Uther's hand, but, my love it is over. You are free of it all now. It is time to move on." He said while reaching out and taking her hand.

"No, you don't understand." Morgana replied pulling her hand from his, "I can't just forget about it." She sighed and glided across the small cottage. She stood beside the table where the Cup of Life had been left, and she gazed out the window at the druid's camp as she said, "I won't be free until the ban on magic is lifted and those who practice it no longer live in fear."

Thoughts of the Cup of Life consumed Morgana. As one of the most powerful magic relics still in existence. It's finding it's way to Morgana was no accident. Alvarr asked Morgana to use the cup in order to lead their people back out of the shadows, and back into the city. Now that she had the Cup of Life Morgana knew exactly how to fulfill the task which seemed destined for her.

"Morgana, let this go." Gwaine demanded.

She turned around slowly letting her gaze be pulled from the campsite to meet Gwaine's. Although her expression was calm and thoughtful Gwaine knew better. He knew that the darkness within her was threating to take hold of her heart.