Moonlight Secret

The Witchfinder

"You're a sorcerer!" roared the recognizable voice of Uther Pendragon.

Before him stood Arthur, dressed in the robes that made him recognizable as the High Priest of the Old Religion. His hands were cuffed in iron, which made him helpless and at his father's mercy. Yet, his facial expression was very calm.

Morgana was shaking, she long knew of Arthur's magic and he knew of hers, but they'd both been so careful!

"What have I done to deserve this? My son, my heir, spoiled by the curse of magic and evil trapped in his soul." it sounded mournful. "Why would you choose such an evil force?"

"It is nothing to choose, I was born with it." Morgana knew it was the truth.

"I never should have trusted Nimue and her evil ways, she did not only take the life of my wife but also gave me an abomination to raise." And then, Uther's eyes glazed over, turning as cold as stone and as fury as thunder. "Burn him!"

And it ended with Arthur burning on rotten wood, his screams piercing her ears.

*//*

Morgana woke up, sweating all over. She closed her eyes to regain a steady breath. The nightmare... it held the same ending as all those others: Arthur burning to death in the country yard with everyone in Camelot watching with utter horror.

The dreams became too much for her to handle, Gaius's tonics didn't work and neither did any of Arthur's magic to induce sleep.

She couldn't lose Arthur to something like that, not to the law of no-magic.

Sleep didn't come that night as she was frightened of her nightmares.

*//*

"Something is horribly wrong with Morgana."

Arthur looked up from his breakfast and watched his working maidservant. "When did you talk to her?"

"This morning, she was outside looking at the sunset. The bags under her eyes are growing, she's not getting any better." the witch said.

The prince slowed his chewing. "Nothing's working for her, her visions won't leave her alone. Neither does she want to talk about them to me."

"Can't the druids do anything?"

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "I'm not smuggling a druid into Camelot!"

Merlyne rolled with her eyes. "You can take her to their camps. Didn't she wish to visit her parents' graves?"

"Merl, you're brilliant!"

"Uh... thanks."

A kiss to her cheek was the only answer.

*//*
Uther raised an eyebrow at his son's request. "Why have you come to ask free time for Morgana?"

"Gaius's tonics are not working to help her sleep, and she does need some rest soon. And maybe some time away might help her."

"I'm glad you're such a responsible young man, but who is going to accompany her?" the King asked.

"I can miss a few of my knights, they'll protect her. And if possible, I wish to come along too."

"Well, you deserve some time off after so many incidents here at the citadel. You all do. Take along the knights you trust, I hope you'll have some rest."

"Thank you for your graciousness, father."

*//*

"Never thought your father would give us days off, but I'm not complaining!"