She listened to light trickling of the water and the soothing song coming from the birds in the trees. Morgana would walk to the river every couple of days as way to retreat from the familiarity of her bedchambers. She still remained close enough to the castle for it to be considered safe, though she knew she was more than capable of taking care of herself between her skills and basic knowledge of her magic. The place simply gave her a more peaceful kind of solitude by comparison. She could sit and truly think without her mind being twisted in every direction possible.

With a calm smile, Morgana rested a hand on her small bump as she sat on a flat boulder by the water. She closed her eyes and released a deep breath.

The past few months had been one of enlightenment for the young woman: coming to terms with her lover's betrayal, with becoming a mother, with learning how to understand and master her abilities. She had grown in more ways than one. Yet, there was still something that left her to wonder. What exactly was her purpose in all of this? She would often think about it. But time and time again she could not find the answer.

Suddenly the sound of crunching leaves and cracking branches coming from behind startled the lady. She quickly stood and whipped around. Her eyes grew wide as a young girl with dirty golden hair emerged from the woods holding a water canteen. In meeting with Morgana's gaze, the child froze in her tracks. By looking at her soft pink skirts and simple corset, Morgana knew that the girl was a commoner. She was no more than ten years of age.

Following behind the child were a man and a woman. Morgana quickly assumed they were her parents. The mother was wrapped in a heavy woolen blanket, the father's arms around her as he held her firmly with each step. She was incredibly pale and clearly very weak.

Morgana quietly watched, her usual curious nature getting the better of her. The man gently helped his wife sit by the riverside holding her closely. Morgana stared at his concerned expression as he spoke to her. He kissed her head, brushing his fingers through her light hair. It forced Morgana to turn away for a moment, the familiarity all too real.

As he headed back into the woods, the young girl waded into the water. Morgana's eyes were fixated on the woman who seemed to struggle to stay upright. The mother fought hard to remain conscious, watching her daughter splash in the shallow river. Her smile, though tired, remained genuine.

Morgana hadn't known that look; she had barely known her mother. She caressed her slightly bulging belly and began to wonder. Perhaps she hadn't completely come to terms with it. How could she? She never had someone to show her how.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she watched the woman's head began to fall forward. Morgana instinctively approached. She knelt beside the woman, easing her to the ground carefully. "You're alright," she whispered.

"Papa!" She heard the young girl call out. The child quickly ran to her mother's side. At the sound of his daughter's cry, the man emerged from the woods once more and rushed over to his wife. He took the canteen from the girl and pulled the woman toward him. Very carefully, he brought the water to her lips.

"What's wrong with her?" Morgana abruptly asked.

The man looked to Morgana with a hesitant expression. He looked down at his wife, whose eyes fluttered as she struggled to breathe.

Morgana looked toward the young girl standing beside her father with such fear in her innocent eyes. She wanted to help in whatever way she could. "I-" she hesitated. "I was once very close… to a young physician." Her gaze returned to the father. "I know of some herbal remedies. One that may help her." He was still silent. Morgana continued, "It could at least give her strength until you can reach a proper physician."

Finally, the man nodded. "We are on our way to Cambre. There is a physician whom we pray can help her." His voice was deep and commanding, though it shook with great nervousness. "She has been feverish and grows weaker as the days pass." He used the sleeve of his tunic to wipe the sweat from her brow. "I fear it may be some kind of internal infection."

Morgana nodded. "I'll do what I can."

O-o-O-o-O

Merlin had always been the one who knew about and understood herbs. He was the physician's assistant, after all. Though Morgana's knowledge was limited, she felt that she could put something together from what Merlin had taught her. But there was so little in that one location.

Morgana looked over her shoulder at the husband cradling his wife by the riverside. She bit her lower lip. What would Morgause think about this? If she knew, Morgana thought, she would undoubtedly be furious. Nevertheless, Morgana looked toward the ground for anything that she knew would be non-toxic to ingest. The petals of a soft white flower, the roots from a harmless weed, the juice from a berry just to remove the bitterness from the other plants. She did her best to break the ingredients up with her fingers and set them into a small bowl that the man had provided her. Morgana then walked over to edge of the river to spoon several handfuls of water in with mixture.

Stirring the dark liquidy concoction with her fingers, she whispered a short enchantment under her breath. She repeated the words two more times, still not entirely sure that what she was doing was right. But it was better than doing nothing at all. Since leaving Camelot, she had been learning some healing magic. She could only hope it was enough. The magical mixture began to change to a purplish-blue color as the texture seemed to smooth out just from her touch.

As she stood from the edge of the water and turned around, the young woman noticed the child standing just a few feet away. Morgana froze for a moment, fearing that the girl had been able to hear her quiet incantations. However, she simply turned around and ran back to her father without a word. Morgana let the nervousness pass with a gentle sigh and returned to the ailing woman and her family.

She knelt beside the woman. Her breathing had become more erratic in their short time together. Morgana brought the small wooden bowl to the woman's lips, and watched the girl's blank expression from the corner of her eye. She tilted the bowl forward and back, allowing for breaths between small sips. Once at least half of the mixture had been consumed, Morgana set the bowl on the ground beside her. She bunched up the end of her skirts and wiped the remaining liquid from the woman's chin.

They waited, hoping that her remedy would help somehow. Morgana's apologetic green eyes met with the father's air of sorrow. But just as she opened her mouth to apologize for her failure, the golden haired woman took in a deep inhale. Her breathing instantly became clearer, as her lids began to flutter and open.

A laugh filled with fear and excitement escaped the grown man's lips. "Thank the gods," he exclaimed, leaning forward to embrace his wife. He kissed her forehead.

Morgana's eyes lit up. More so because she had managed to succeed with her enchantment. But also because she had just done something with her magic. For so many months she had been practicing and reading with her sister; understanding and listening. Now she was finally doing.

O-o-O-o-O

She would see them off. While Morgana wanted to make sure the family made it into town, she knew Morgause would question it. There would be speculations; ones that Morgana had no desire to deal with. Morgause was the only other person— other than her father— who could see through any of her lies. Morgana stood, brushing the wrinkles from her green silk skirts. She folded her hands over her abdomen and straightened her posture.

"We cannot thank you enough," the father expressed, his arms securely around his wife's shoulders.

"I'm just glad I could help," Morgana nodded to them both.

As the man led his wife to their small wooden cart, the daughter stepped around towards Morgana. Her soft hazel eyes seemed to be surveying the young witch. They migrated down from Morgana's eyes to her folded hands and back up. She offered the lady a silent grin as her furrowed brow and curious expression softened.

Even though she wasn't entirely sure if the child had seen her use magic, Morgana could sense something. The girl wouldn't say anything had she witnessed it. There was unexplainable honesty in those eyes, Morgana thought. She felt as though she could trust it.

Morgana bid the family farewell as they continued their journey towards the town of Cambre, south of Essetir.

O-o-O-o-O

She listened to the sound of her shoes as they met with the stone floor. It echoed through the narrow corridors along with the very faint sound of her sister's deep voice. Morgana continued towards the throne room to inform the other two of her return. However, the young witch suddenly stopped in her tracks when she heard that familiar name… Merlin.

"He's smart… for a meer servant boy," Morgana heard her sister say.

"The boy has just gotten lucky," Cenred replied in his usual irritable tone.

"Luck has nothing to do with it," Morgause snapped back. "He knows more than he leads others to believe."

Morgana quietly continued on, the echoing voices becoming clearer. She carefully peered around the corner. Morgause stood over what looked to be a bathing tub, though it was clear she was not using it for that reason. It had to be magic. Though the young brunette couldn't clearly see, there seemed to be more voices, familiar ones, coming from the tub. Merlin… Arthur… What was Morgause planning, and why was she not telling Morgana?

"We cannot let him get in the way again," Morgause said.

Cenred huffed, "I will not waste my time or my men to make sure a servant is out of your way."

"There is no need," the witch replied. "My sister… and the child… they are the key."

Morgana felt a churning in her stomach. What could Morgause have meant by that? She turned back around the corner with deep breath. As the conversation came to a lull, Morgana made the quick decision to retreat to her bedchambers. Too many thoughts started to fill her mind. She returned down the corridor from whence she came, only to be stopped on she was hoping to avoid.

"Sister," she heard from behind, "you've returned."

Morgana turned back while trying to paint a false smile upon her lips. She nodded, "Only just. I thought I might freshen up in my chambers before our lesson."

Morgause nodded as she approached her younger sister. She brushed a strand of Morgana's thick dark hair behind her ear and grinned. "The fresh air does you good, as it does good for the baby as well." Morgana nervously smiled in return. "I shall be waiting for you in library."

Morgana turned and watched Morgause continued passed her and down the castle corridor. The young woman's hands trembled as she placed them on her slightly bulging stomach almost defensively. She let out her held breath as her sister disappeared from sight.

Author's Note: No flashback in this chapter, but there are sure more to come as the story progresses.

I am also aware that we are not 100% sure if sorceresses can hear sound when scrying in water, but I made a creative writing choice and I feel it will definitely help in future situations in the story.

Thank you for reading! PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS, let me know if there are flashbacks you might want to see, or what you think Morgause's plan is for Morgana and the baby?