Disclaimer: I do don't own the Merlin series.
Chapter 1 The Tears of Uther Pendragon
It had been a year since Morgause had disappeared with Morgana, and Uther had still the Knights looking for her. Arthur laughs as Merlin moves uncomfortably on his horse.
"Is your little bottom sore?" Arthur asks with a laugh.
"Yes, no thanks to you," Merlin answers.
This catches Arthur off guard.
"Merlin," he yells.
Merlin laughs inside, knowing this would upset Arthur.
"What?" he asks innocently. "You're the one making us ride for hours on end."
Merlin sneaks into Arthur's tent later that night.
"You had me going there for a while," Arthur tells him.
"Did I?" Merlin asks. Merlin gasps as Arthur takes him to the ground. "We can't."
He just knew this was Arthur way of getting him back.
"Why not?" Arthur asks.
"You're such a dollop-head," Merlin replies with a laugh.
"What does that mean?" Arthur asks.
"Two words. Prince Arthur," Merlin answers.
They kiss and get up before anyone can come in. Merlin cannot believe it the next day when they finally find Morgana.
xxx
Merlin is still lying in bed when Gaius walks in.
"Arthur wants to see you in Morgana's chambers," Gaius tells him.
Merlin gasps and gets out of bed.
"Oh, no," he starts to panic. "She's told him. She'll tell Uther. He'll kill me!"
"You don't know that," Gaius replies.
Merlin gets dressed and walks to what he thinks is his fate. He waits outside for Arthur.
"Merlin, can I speak with you?" Morgana asks when she spots him. Arthur nods and leaves. "I know you tried to poison me."
"I didn't mean to," Merlin tells her.
"I understand," Morgana replies. "I would've done the same for my friends."
"You are my friend, Morgana," Merlin says, eyes getting watery. "I hate myself for what I did."
Morgana starts to tear up as well.
You don't know how much I regret what I have done," she replies. "I hope that you can forgive me."
"I'm the one that should be asking for forgiveness," Merlin says, taking a step cloer.
"I do forgive you," Morgana tells him.
Merlin could not help but smile.
"It's good to have you back," he replies.
xxx
The next morning, there was a knock at the door to Gaius's chambers.
"Morgana," Gaius greets her.
"Gaius, may I speak with you?" she asks.
"Of course you can," he answers.
"It's about Merlin," Morgana replies.
Little did she know Merlin was still in his room listening.
"What about him?" Gaius asks.
"He tried to poison me," Morgana tells him.
"Morgana, Morgause had you the host that kept those Knights walking," Gaius replies.
"Yes, I know," Morgana answers with a sigh. Merlin is extremely confused at this point.
"He could have done anything to kill you. But he chose poison because…" Gaius starts to tell her.
"An antidote," Morgana replies.
"Merlin wasn't himself after you were kidnapped," Gaius explains.
"So he was planning on using it?" Morgana asks.
"Of course," Gaius answers.
"Thank you, Gaius. You must understand my worry," Morgana replies.
"I do," Gaius tells her, although he did not.
Morgana smiles and leaves. Merlin appears when he hears the door close.
"I knew she…" he begins to say before Gaius cuts him off.
"Merlin, something's not right with her," he says.
"I didn't want to believe it, but I fear you're right," he replies.
xxx
When Uther starts seeing things, Merlin knew Morgana had something to do with it. When checking on Uther, Merlin hears someone and goes under the bed where he finds something dripping. A hand reaches under and grabs it. It's Morgana. Merlin decides to follow her. He is not surprised to find her meeting up with Morgause.
"Sister," Morgause greets Morgana. "Is all well?"
"It's all going to plan," Morgana tells her.
"And the boy?" Morgause asks.
"I believe Merlin knows," Morgana replies.
Again, this does not shock Merlin to hear this.
"Has he told Arthur?" Morgause asks.
"He will soon enough," Morgana answers.
"We must stop him then," Morgause says.
"That will not be difficult," Morgana replies.
"Why?" Morgause asks.
"Because he's already here," Morgana answers loudly so Merlin hears. He comes out of hiding. "Did you really think I was that stupid, Merlin?"
He looks at the ground for a moment. He had to think of something, and quickly.
"I know you're not," Merlin replies. "So, what's the plan?"
"Excuse me?" Morgana asks.
"You want Uther gone. Tell me how to help," Merlin says.
It scars him how easily he can talk of treason that he actually believes himself for a moment.
"You're in love with his son. Why would we believe you?" Morgause asks.
"I do, but his father means nothing to me. Arthur will make a great king," Merlin answers. Morgasue look at each other. "What…" And then he realizes the reason for the looks. "Oh, I get it. It is not Arthur you want to take the throne."
Before he knew it, Morgause had him in chains and he was knocked out.
xxx
Merlin is still in chains when he awakes the next morning. Morgause is standing over him.
"You intrigue me, Merlin. Time and time again you risk your life for Arthur. You do know that if he were to become King he'd have to forget all about you and marry," she tells him.
"That doesn't matter," Merlin replies.
"You would never be able to rule beside him," Morgasue declares.
"I know," Merlin says.
"Then why not run away with him?" Morgause asks. "Make a new life for yourselves."
This confuses him. Was she really going to let him know and have time to get Arthur out before the attack on Camelot? No, it was too much to hope for.
"Arthur wouldn't have it," Merlin replies.
Morgause chants a spell, tightening the chains. No matter what he does, he cannot break free. He starts to panic when giant scorpions appear. One stabs him in the back. Merlin yells out for Kilgharrah before he passes out.
xxx
Gaius walks into Arthur's chambers.
"Sire, you must…" he starts to say.
"I can't," Arthur replies, already knowing what Gaius is going to tell him. "As long as my father lives, he his King. Not me."
"I understand, Arthur," Gaius says.
"By the way, have you seen Merlin?" he asks.
"I assumed he'd be with you," Gaius answers.
"I haven't seen him since yesterday," Arthur replies.
"I'll ask around," Gaius says.
Little did they know what Merlin is going through?