Burns Too Bright, Lives Too Fast

The past two days had not gone well.

First, Morgana and Guinevere had departed to visit the grave of Morgana's father, a ritual she embarked on every year. But then she had failed to return after a day - far longer than she usually took. So Arthur had taken Merlin and a contingent of soldiers with him to find her.

They had found a great deal of bodies, some startled horses, and Morgana, bedraggled and frightened.

But no Guinevere.

Not that this mattered much to Arthur's father.

"I am so pleased to see you here in one piece," Uther said, and touched Morgana's cheek.

"My maid," she said, "Gwen. She risked her life to let me escape - we have to rescue her!"

"Absolutely not."

Arthur felt a headache swelling up already. This was going to wind up being a thing, wasn't it...?

[[ for Merlin. ]]