A/N: This story is a result of a plot bunny that wouldn't leave me alone. After kicking the inside of my head all week, I finally let it out and this is what it gave me in return. A series rewrite beginning with 3x02, sticking pretty close to canon initially before becoming progressively more of an AU. Enjoy!
(This chapter is based on The Tears of Uther Pendragon Pt. 2 and includes dialogue from the episode)
Merlin woke with a start, the incessant scream of the mandrake root having interrupted his rest. Through half focused eyes, he took in his surroundings. He lay on a ledge that appeared to be in the middle of a large, mountainous area. Clouds hung low over the rocky landscape which seemed to reach high into the sky. Suddenly, he remembered.
Morgause.
Morgana.
The Serkets.
He looked up at Kilgharrah incredulously. "You shouldn't have let me sleep."
"I had no choice, young warlock," the dragon replied, giving him an apologetic look. "The venom was too strong, even for your great powers."
Merlin scrambled to his feet. "I don't have time! I need to get back to Camelot. The kingdom is in danger and…" he trailed off, guilt evident on his face. "…it's my fault. I should have listened to you. I should never have trusted Morgana."
"You did what you felt was right and that shows great courage," Kilgharrah replied reassuringly. He seemed to hesitate for a moment before continuing. "There is… a way in which you may be able to avoid the future to come should you continue down this path."
"How?" Merlin's eyes widened at the revelation. "Whatever it is, I'll do it. As long as I can protect Arthur."
Kilgharrah sighed and shook his head. "I must warn you, Merlin. Though choosing to pursue this alternate path will prevent certain events from coming to pass, it is but one path of many. Arthur's safety is not guaranteed, nor does it undo the results of your choices thus far."
"Tell me what I have to do," Merlin prompted.
"Very well." The dragon knew there was little point in arguing once the warlock had made up his mind. "You must journey to the Isle of the Blessed and make your way to the heart of the island itself. It is there that the key to an alternate path lies."
Merlin seemed lost in thought for a moment. "I need to get there as soon as possible."
"You're not yet fully recovered," Kilgharrah reminded him, "and it's more than five days' walk there and back to Camelot."
A mischievous smile crept onto Merlin's face as he glanced back up at his friend. "I've no intention of walking."
Minutes later, the warlock found himself soaring through the air. Merlin whooped with joy as the dragon swayed left and right, the Isle of the Blessed quickly coming into view through a thin layer of cloud. Before he knew it, they'd touched down in a clearing by the lake leading to the island. Merlin slid off the creature's back landing with a thud on the ground.
The moon shone down on the mist surrounding the lake, causing the raggedy pier before him to appear even more eerie than usual. At the end of the pier lay a small boat similar to the one he had journeyed in previously. He slowly began his walk towards the edge of the lake before a booming voice stopped him.
"Merlin?" The warlock turned to face Kilgharrah. "By choosing to do this, you unleash a power intentionally hidden for years at the heart of the Old Religion. Heed my words."
Merlin nodded in understanding, then turned and continued on his way.
The trip across the lake was uneventful at best, Merlin's gaze fixed solely on the dark walls which gradually began to loom over him. It wasn't long before the boat stopped itself in front of a stone archway, and the warlock found himself swiftly making his way up a set of steps to the centre of the isle.
Aside from slightly deteriorating walls, the courtyard looked exactly the same as it had the last time he'd journeyed to the island. Memories of Gaius' lifeless body lying by the stone table as he battled with Nimueh suddenly came flooding back.
Emrys.
Merlin snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of his name. He looked around wildly but saw no one.
Emrys.
The warlock slowly started forward, following the voice. Suddenly, the ground began to rumble. Merlin stumbled towards the nearest wall for support, gawking as the stone table in the centre of the courtyard slowly began to move to the side. Almost as soon as it began, the rumbling stopped.
Emrys.
The voice was louder now. Merlin made his way towards the centre of the courtyard once more, peering warily over the edge of the newly created passage in the ground. A set of stone steps gradually descended into darkness, and the warlock glanced around warily before carefully taking the first few steps into the passage. He held his right hand out.
"Forbaerne," he whispered.
At once, a flame appeared in his outstretched hand. The light revealed a long, underground passageway as he reached the bottom of the steps, which appeared to snake around to the right.
Emrys.
The voice was louder still. Merlin quickened his pace, breaking into a slight jog the further he went. As he rounded the corner, the flame suddenly extinguished as he found himself surrounded by a blue hue of light. His eyes adjusted to reveal a cave-like room, the rocky walls lined with blue gem stones which gave off a soft glow. A pedestal stood in the centre of the room. On top lay a single gem the size of his fist, similar to the others in appearance though glowing noticeably brighter.
Merlin tentatively made his way towards the pedestal. Up close, he could now see the large gem contained a substance of some sort, which swirled around spontaneously. The sight immediately reminded him of the debacle with Cornelius Sigan's soul and he quickly took a step back.
"Emrys."
Merlin whirled around to see a middle aged woman dressed in a long, white gown. Brown hair bounced off her shoulders as she made her way towards the warlock who remained frozen in place.
She let out a small laugh. "You need not be afraid, Emrys. I am Anath, Keeper of the Oris Stone. I have waited down here a long time with the knowledge that our meeting may not even come to pass."
With the woman's reassurance, Merlin seemed to find his voice. "What do you mean by that?"
"I am sure you are aware by now that the path to your destiny is not fixed," she explained. "There are many different ways in which a united Albion and the subsequent return of magic can come about, but it is what happens afterwards which is the key.
"Your current choices do not bode well for Arthur Pendragon. Choosing to unlock the stone's contents is a drastic measure I will admit, but it will give you both a fighting chance of living to see the results of your hard work."
Merlin frowned. "If this is supposed to make things easier, why has it been kept hidden all this time?"
"I did not say anything about things being easy, only that it may aid you," Anath sighed. "This stone was never meant to exist. After the Great Purge, it was decided that such a power could not be wielded by its owner. Rather than destroying it however, it was retrieved and placed in the stone for safekeeping should it be needed in future. This room was intended for your eyes only, Emrys. It is so secret that not even the remaining High Priestesses and their Blood Guard are aware of it."
"Whose power is it?" Merlin asked, surprise evident in his tone.
Anath shook her head. "It is best if you do not know. Your knowledge of the future is what has led you to this moment in the first place," she paused. "You will discover their identity in due time, however."
Merlin nodded, turning to face the stone. "What do I have to do?"
Anath made her way to the other side of the pedestal, motioning for the warlock to come forward. She took his hands and placed them on the stone, covering his with her own.
"Close your eyes and focus on the stone's power," she instructed. After a few moments, she did the same. "Ábiraþ se ríce hereláf díegol ond edhwierft hit æt tornes ealdhláford carseld!"
Merlin watched in silence as the light within the stone gradually faded.
"It is done," Anath declared. "You must go. Camelot remains in peril despite what was done tonight. The result of releasing the stone's power will not be evident for some time, but when it is, you will know."
"Thank you," Merlin replied, smiling gratefully.
He turned to leave, but was stopped by Anath's voice once more. "Beware, Emrys. This alternate path is both a blessing and a curse. Choose your actions wisely or it will be your undoing."
Now she tells me, he thought begrudgingly. The warlock nodded before beginning to make his way back through the passage.
Before he knew it, Merlin was back in Camelot and racing through the halls of the castle. He burst into his chambers, running towards Gaius who appeared to be in a deep sleep.
"You need to wake up!" he hissed, shaking the old man.
The physician just about doubled over at the sight of the warlock. "Merlin! Where have you been?"
"I don't have time to explain," he replied quickly, grabbing Gaius' coat. He considered telling the older man about what had unfolded at the Isle of the Blessed, but immediately decided against it. Gaius would probably start lecturing him about talking to strange women, and in any case, that part of his news wasn't what he'd nearly died for.
"Are you alright—" he gave Merlin a look as the boy failed to help him into the garment.
Merlin ignored him and continued. "Morgana is in league with Morgause, she's plotting against Uther."
"What?"
"She's responsible for his visions!" he emphasized. "Come on, hurry up. There's something I need to show you."
Entering the king's chambers a few minutes later, the two men found the room in complete disarray. Decorative objects were strewn all over the floor, smaller objects were knocked off of shelves and Uther was clearly missing from his bed. A soft whimper coming from the adjacent sitting room gave the king's presence away, and Gaius' eyes widened in shock.
"Uther!" he exclaimed, hurrying towards the man. The king gripped Gaius' shoulders with all his might, staring fearfully at the wall behind him.
Despite how terrified he was of the man, Merlin couldn't help but pity Uther in the state he was in. Suddenly, he remembered why they were there in the first place. He dashed towards the king's bed, ripping the mandrake root out from underneath and throwing it in the fireplace with one swift movement. He cringed as the mandrake's cry rang throughout the room signaling an end to the enchantment.
In his chambers a few doors down, the scream woke Arthur from his nightmare.
Spells:
Merlin: Burn up. (As written in the Merlin wiki)
Anath: Take that which remains hidden and return it to its rightful place! (Translated with oldenglishtranslator . co . uk, though chances are it's highly inaccurate)
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