translate: he who lives by the sword, will die by the sword.

" Um, Merlin, " Gwanie whispered, obviously in shock. " The creepy lady who tried to kill us, her brother, and, apparently, the man she loved is apologizing to you. Just thought you'd like to know. "

" Um, yeah, thanks Gwaine. Totally didn't know about that. It's not like I can see her or hear or anything. "

" Will you both just shut up? " Morgana demanded, testy. Realizing that didn't help her case when everyone glared at her, she shrunk back into herself. " Sorry, " she muttered.

" Serves you right, " Leon joked. Everyone laughed, until Merlin told him to be quiet. Silence then spread like water when spilled; it went everywhere, dripping off the edges of the surface. The surface of conversation, that was. It wasn't like they were all on a countertop that is.

But while Merlin was frozen in shock, obviously stressed by the weight of this decision, Arthur felt pity for his once best friend.

He had no idea what choice he would make if he were Merlin (even though technically that would be incest, and incest was a no-no.), and frankly, he was glad he would never have to.

He couldn't imagine what was going on in Merlin's head right now, so he won't tell you. Arthur's just not cool enough.

But Merlin was cool enough to know what he was thinking, so Merlin states his thought process outloud.

" Morgana Pendragon, " he boomed, in the deep voice that was not Merlin's; rather the great Emrys'.

He shook his head. " Morgana, " Merlin whispered. Then, he whispered words that would change Morgana's life forever.

" Thousands of years ago, Morgana, I adored you. I looked forward to seeing you everyday, and you could have been the love of my life, " Merlin said, breaking off into tears. " But then you changed, " he gasped, his emotions sliding back into place. Calm, relaxed.

" You wanted to kill Uther, your father; and don't tell Arthur, but I can't blame you for that one, " he joked halfheartedly.

Morgana's face was flowing with tears, her eyes like creeks, and her voice croaked when she attempted to laugh. Merlin just looked at her, pity and sadness shining through the windows of his soul.

" But when you sent a man to kill my best friend, no matter how much of a pain he can be in the mornings, you destroyed my destiny. And eventually, I destroyed yours, and it cost us many friends and parts of Camelot.

I'm not sure if I can forgive or forget, let alone Arthur, the knights, or the people of Camelot. "

Morgana whimpered. " Please. "

Merlin's gaze looked up to Arthur and down to Morgana for several seconds, before he uttered, " What would you do Morgana? Where would you go? What would you bring to the Round Table?

And, most of all, what will you do for forgiveness? "