A/n: Thanks for all the reviews! I'm super excited to get what I've written out there, and I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. Happy reading!

It had been three days since Arthur had seen Morgana use magic. Three days in which Morgana had been anxious, twitchy and silent, Arthur had been quiet and reflective, and Merlin had been unsuccessfully trying to get Arthur to confide in him. Every time Morgana was summoned for dinner, or for any courtly matters, her heart leaped into her throat, sure it was a summons to her own death. Death by fire - a death to made to match her betrayal.

Morgana, Arthur and Uther had just sat through a very awkward dinner with the king, in which neither of them had said a word to each other. Uther had tried unsuccessfully to start conversation, and had eventually resigned himself to the silence, drinking heavily from his goblet. When Uther dismissed his two children from dinner with a wave of his hand, Morgana got up and all but ran from the dining hall.

"Morgana," Arthur said, voice echoing down the hall after her. She froze mid stride, emerald dress swishing around her ankles. "Can I speak with you?"

"O-of course," she said with a curt nod and tense smile.

"Perhaps we could go somewhere more private. My chambers, perhaps?" Morgana said nothing, but walked alongside him. She could feel her pulse pounding near her ears - the only sound she was aware of as she and Arthur walked silently side by side. She clasped her shaking hands together in an attempt to calm herself, and focused on breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth. Before she knew it, they stood in front of Arthur's chambers. He held the door for her. She strode in, in what she hoped was a confidant manner. He sat at his desk and exhaled slowly, running a hand down his face. Morgana stayed standing, feeling like she was on trial for a crime she hadn't chosen to commit.

"Why?" he asked after several long moments of silence. "Why would you learn magic?" His eyes sought out hers. He wasn't angry, but there was something off in his gaze.

"I didn't," Morgana told him, jutting her chin out in what she hoped was a confident manner, meeting his eyes with as much intensity as she could muster. "I didn't choose magic, magic chose me."

"I didn't know that was possible," Arthur said, looking troubled, a crease appearing between his eyebrows.

"Well it is," Morgana replied, crossing her arms, suddenly angry. "Yet you would still persecute those with no choice in the matter."

"When did you find out?"

"Weeks, maybe months ago," Morgana said, allowing herself to look vulnerable. "It normally comes after my nightmares. This was the first time it happened while I was fully conscious."

"So you didn't mean to throw me back with your magic?"

"Of course not," Morgana snorted. "Do you think I'm an idiot?" Arthur flushed, but didn't reply.

"We need to get your magic under control," he said after a moment. "We can't have father find out. I know he cares for you, but I don't know what he would do if he found out."

"You mean to say you're not mad?"

"Of course not, Morgana," Arthur said stiffly. "I can't be mad at you for something you didn't choose."

"But you still think magic is evil," Morgana accused.

"I-" Arthur sighed. "I don't know what I think anymore." Morgana scoffed. "But I know you, Morgana. I know your heart. There is no evil there. If someone like you can have magic, it can't all be bad." Morgana's mouth fell open slightly, looking shaken.

"You would go back on the beliefs you've been raised on your whole life for me?" Morgana asked.

"Of course I would," Arthur said gruffly. "Will you allow me to take you to Gaius now?" Arthur asked with a hint of a smile.

"Gaius?"

"He knows the most about magic of any of us. If anyone can help you control it, he can."

"Sire?" Gaius asked in shock.

"You heard me, Gaius," Arthur said, princely authority shining through his voice. "Morgana needs to learn to control her magic. Can you help her?" Morgana stood behind Arthur, looking ill at ease.

"I believe so, Sire," Gaius said slowly, eyebrow raised. Arthur nodded.

"Right," He crossed his arms, looking uncomfortable. "Well I think it might be best if I leave you to it."

"You wish me to start now, Sire?" Gaius asked.

"I think that would be best." Arthur turned on the spot and left. Gaius sighed heavily.

"Alright, My Lady," Gaius said. "Let us begin." Morgana watched Arthur leave, eyes lingering on the door once it swung shut, wishing he hadn't left. Their talk had gone as well as she could have ever hoped, but she sensed that there was trust that needed to be rebuilt on both sides. After a moment, she faced Gaius. He looked apprehensive.

"Yes, let us begin," Morgana said, taking a seat at his table.

"Merlin," Gaius said in a warning tone.

"What is it, Gaius?" Merlin asked, sitting down at the dinner table.

"Arthur has asked me to help Morgana control her powers," Gaius stated. Merlin's mouth fell open.

"He what?"

"She just left."

"How did it go?" Merlin looked intently at his mentor.

"Merlin, you and I both know there's only so much I can teach her." Merlin groaned, both hands falling limply atop the table.

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"You are much more equipped to teach her magic," Gaius said. Merlin stared at him, mouth open, seeming to search for a way to express what was going on in his head.

"Gaius, I can't tell her now." Merlin said finally, pleading with his eyes.

"I won't force you," Gaius began. "But I fear that if you do not, she will turn to other means. Desperation and fear corrupt the mind."

"That's the thing, isn't it?" Merlin said, shaking his head resignedly. "We know how easily corrupted Morgana is. She's already turned against the king once. What's to stop her doing it again?"

"You," Gaius said simply.

"How do I know I'm not creating a weapon? Arthur's downfall?"

"You can't."