Merlin

Episode 4.01: The Darkest Hour re-write

Before the Dawn

Chapter 1: A Regular Day at Camelot

Elyan gazed up at the cloudy skies. It had been a rather peaceful patrol. Then again, the worst patrols were those that Arthur would insist upon coming. The Prince was like a magnet for trouble. Elyan rode over to Leon, slowing his horse once he caught up to the senior knight.

"Can't wait to be home. Tomorrow's Samhain, and I already have a couple of stories in mind to scare my sister with!" Elyan said.

"Well, I'd like to spend some time in my warm bed," Leon replied. Ever since Arthur had taken over, Leon had relaxed significantly. He was still the epitome of perfection – it seemed to be part of his personality, after all – he was just more laid back.

"Guess you don't want to spend time with Gwaine in the Tavern?" Elyan joked.

"What, so I can lose my salary for this month too? That drunkard cheats on those games, and someday I'll prove it. Until then, I'm keeping my money in my pocket," Leon replied back.

"Who is that?" Sir Bedivere interrupted the pair, pointing to a black figure pulling a cart. The knights rode up to the figure, stopping feet away from her before all four slipped off their horses. The figure didn't turn around, as Leon approached her warily.

"Who are you? What is in your cart?" Leon called out. His hand automatically went to the hilt of his sword. When he heard no reply back, he tried again. "You are currently in Camelot's borders. We need to know who you are and what you're here for. Reply before we assume the worst."

The figure turned slowly, revealing a pale skinned woman. Her black hair tangled around her as a mess, reflecting her disheveled condition. Her green eyes danced with anger and resentment as she unleashed her fury onto the knights. Morgana.

Percival was still getting used to being a knight. It had been a year since Lancelot had brought him to Camelot, and within that year he had made several acquaintances amongst the knights, and even more friends all around the castle. He was even part of the Round Table, Prince Arthur's most trusted knights and advisors. It didn't take long before Percival found himself a new family – one that he quickly learned to cherish and treasure, despite the pain of losing his was still fresh in his mind. As Percival walked down the corridor to the courtyard, he caught sight of Gwaine, settled inconspicuously in the corner. And knowing Gwaine, he was obviously up to no good.

"Morning Gwaine," Percival nodded towards his fellow knight, and Gwaine looked back, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He tugged on a rope, finishing the knot before he replied.

"Hey Perce!" His rather cheery voice seemed to warn the other knight and the said man backed up from his comrade.

"What are you up to now?"

"Really? Seems the world has lost faith in me, mate. Everyone seems to think I'm up to no good."

Percival's eyebrows rose as he watched Gwaine collect the rope, a hook dangling to one side. "And can you blame us?" Gwaine winked back in reply as Percival began to leave.

"Want to raid the Royal Kitchens with me?" Gwaine called out. Percival turned around, his eyes widening in what seemed to be surprise. "It's Samhain. There'll be plenty of food being prepared. The kitchens should be bustling and busy. Audrey wouldn't even notice a missing fried chicken or…" Gwaine explained.

Percival shook his head, smiling at his companion. "I suppose you'd never learn?" Yet, instead of walking away again, he decided to join his friend on his adventure. "The last time you tired something like this, I believe Audrey caught you, didn't she?"

"Ah! But you remember, I used my charms on that snippy head cook, and she fell for it! Didn't even get in trouble – "

"Until she realized you stole half her pies, and reported you to Arthur," Percival cut in. "And you didn't even have to bear half the punishment because of your status. Merlin ended up in the stocks the whole day thanks to helping you." Percival was chuckling. For one reason or another, Merlin almost always ended up in the stocks.

"Yeah, well, part of me really believes Merlin loves the stocks. Either that or the stocks fancy him," Gwaine laughed. The two knights had made their way to the Kitchen ceiling, and had managed to prod through a vent.

They listened to commotion below them, as they slowly began to lower the rope down towards one of the chickens.

"Just here for Arthur's shirt!" the knights heard Merlin exclaim.

"Don't get your dirty fingers on my food!" Audrey screamed from across the kitchen. Several of the maids were rushing about, while the food for the night's feast lay in open air on the tables. Merlin walked over to the white shirt hanging next to the freshly baked pies, attempting to avoid bumping into anyone in the packed place, and pulled it down.

It was then that he noticed a hook hanging from one of the vents, directly above the sizzling chickens, and looking up, he saw Percival and Gwaine grinning back at him. Merlin laughed softly before attaching the hook to one of the chickens, giving it a slight tug, and then began to run out of the kitchen just as he heard Audrey's screech over all the noise.

As Gaius had predicted, Merlin ended up waking late in the morning, and knowing the Prince, he knew he'd probably have twice as many chores if he didn't hurry across the castle fast enough. On normal days, he might have had a chance. But in this crowd, there was none whatsoever.

Although he was dodging and turning around the corners in the most graceless ways possible, Merlin couldn't help but let his thoughts run back to his dream. His dream where he bore witness to the flight of hundreds of dragons. And to say they were magnificent was an understatement. He had meant to ask Gaius about the dream, but when he woke up, he found the Physician already out doing his rounds, and himself running late to attend to the prat.

Without thinking, Merlin bumped into another servant, successfully clashing into the wine goblet and staining the white shirt. Merlin lifted up the shirt and stared at it.

"Need any help, Merlin?" Merlin looked up to see Lancelot striding towards him.

"Nope, I'm as good as dead," Merlin groaned. "Arthur's going to kill me!" He pointed at the shirt with the pale purple stain in the front.

"Can't get away with claiming it to be the latest trend?" Lancelot chuckled as Merlin glared at him. "Come on Merlin, you've faced far worse. Besides, I'm sure a man of your talents could come up with something." Lancelot walked away, smiling.

Merlin glanced around quickly before whispering a couple of words toward the shirt. His eyes flashed gold, as the stain faded away. Lancelot turned around to see Merlin show him the now clean shirt before the servant sprinted off again with a grin plastered on his face.

Lancelot smiled as he walked away from his friend, accidently colliding with Guinevere.

"Gwen – Guinevere!" Lancelot exclaimed, as he looked down to see the once-maid servant on the ground. He helped her up as he apologized. "I – I'm sorry. I didn't see you there, my lady." He smiled at the end, attempting to lighten the mood.

Ever since Lancelot came back to Camelot, he found all of his encounters with the future queen slightly awkward. Despite knowing that Guinevere currently loves Arthur, he couldn't help but still harbor his feelings towards her.

"I'm sorry too, Lancelot," she whispered softly as she glanced at the knight. She quickly cleared her throat and began to stutter, almost nervously. "I was with the King, and I was going to go wake up Arthur – I mean, the Prince, because I know that Merlin probably slept in and I don't really think…" her voice trailed off at the end, before she tried again. "Arthur wanted me to help him write his speech for Samhain this morning. And while I was tending to the King, I lost track of time and so I wasn't looking where I was going…"

Lancelot watched as he listened to Gwen's stammering before he interrupted. "How is the King?"

Gwen gazed down at the floor before sadly replying. "He's still the same. Morgana's betrayal hit him hard, it seems."

"How about you, my lady?" Lancelot asked, squirming slightly under her glare. Ever since he came back and ever since Elyan had been knighted, he had attempted to avoid calling Gwen by her name, even when she insisted otherwise.

"I'm doing fine. It's been a year, and I learned to get over it." Gwen sighed. "Anyways I better get to Arthur."

"Yes," Lancelot said. "I will see you at tonight's feast then." He continued his walk forward as Gwen made her way across the hall to Arthur's chambers.

"MERLIN!" Arthur's screams were heard above the noise. For a brief moment, all the servants stopped working, before a smile lit their faces and they resumed their work. For more than a year, the servants learned to wait for such morning screams and typical banter between the servant and his Prince. Gwen rushed to the chambers to watch Merlin practically sprint out, soon followed by a badly aimed goblet. Merlin laughed as he made his way across, stopping only when he caught sight of Gwen.

"Didn't like the way I woke him up today." Merlin shrugged, a wide grin encompassing half of his face. "I mean, it's Samhain! Thought a little bit of spooky prank would go well, but you know Arthur."

Gwen laughed as Merlin pulled out a small scroll. "I wrote his stupid speech. Stayed up all night for it too! But before I could give it to him, he was screeching his head off at a small spider. I mean seriously," Merlin leaned in towards Gwen. "A small spider! I'm scared for Camelot's sake. If her Prince happens to scream like a girl every time he –"

"Oh, lay off Merlin!" Gwen swatted him gently on the shoulder before taking the scroll from his hands. "Go get his breakfast. I'll calm him down so that he doesn't run you through. Putting a spider in his bed to wake him up!" Gwen was shaking her head.

"I didn't say I put it there!" Merlin said as he walked towards the kitchens again. Gwen only shook her head again, before entering the chambers to a half dressed Arthur, struggling to get his shirt down his head.

Gwen laughed softly and made her way across, helping him into the shirt. Arthur took one look at her, and, as if realizing that she wasn't Merlin, walked his way across the chambers. "Where is that idiot? That imbecile! I'm making him pay for it!"

"What did he do now, Arthur?" Gwen asked, innocently. Arthur looked at her, then at the doorway. He opened his mouth as if to answer, and then thought against it. Even he had to admit, the Crown Prince screeching at the sight of a spider was rather embarrassing. "Nothing," he replied instead. Even if he couldn't get his revenge now, doubling Merlin's chores ought to teach that wayward servant never to pull off such horrible pranks.

"You should go easier on him, Arthur. He stayed up all night writing your speech."

"He – what?" Arthur made his way across his room and sat at his work table, while Gwen pulled up a chair and placed the scroll on Arthur's desk. "Oh. Did he?" Arthur took off a couple of chores from the mental list he had begun to accumulate since last night. He opened the scroll and read the speech to himself.

After a couple of minutes, Gwen started talking again. "The patrols from the borders, are they coming home today?" Arthur glanced up from his scroll.

"Yes, Elyan and Leon, and the rest of the troops should be here by midday."

"That's good." Gwen said. Every Samhain she had spent with her brother, she remembered as if they were yesterday. This year would be the second year her brother was home for this festival since he left, and he had far more stories to tell her than she ever could.

"I think this speech could do with some revisions," Arthur said. "Besides that idiot acts like I forced him to write it. He should be thanking me! Not everyone has the privilege to write the Prince's speech!" Arthur smirked. Gwen laughed, as she scooted over to help with whatever revisions Arthur wanted to add. While she helped him, her mind still thought about Elyan. What was he doing right now?

Elyan and Leon were riding as fast as they could. They had fallen unconscious after Morgana had hit them. The other two knights weren't so lucky. Elyan only hoped that they died quickly and painlessly.

Despite the fact that in pained Leon to do so, he left the bodies of the two knights and hurried back. Their priority should be Morgana, and reporting her to Camelot. If the past year is anything to go by, a weakened Morgana presumably mourning for her sister's health was already Camelot's most deadly nemesis. Seeing her out in the open, however, couldn't mean anything good for their Kingdom.

They burst through the gates, Leon yelling to get the attention of a couple of the guards. "We need to speak with the King, immediately!"

Arthur stood and listened to the report made by Leon and Elyan. Their patrol group wasn't supposed to be here until noon, but you could always trust Morgana would be behind any anomalies in the plans. She hadn't made their life any easier the past year. Today was no different. He looked up at his knights several minutes later.

As soon as he heard Leon had come back and asked for immediate audience with him, Arthur called forth the council, and by extension, Merlin, Gaius and his most trusted knights.

"From what the knights say, my lord, I believe Morgana is traveling to the Isle of the Blessed," Gaius said. "And you said she was pulling a cart?"

"We don't know what was in the cart, Gaius." Elyan replied. "We didn't have the chance to see, before she blasted us back."

"She is more powerful than last time, sire." Leon interrupted, directing the conversation back to Arthur. "Sir Bedivere and Sir Kent died on the spot. We were lucky."

Arthur nodded before turning back to Gaius. "This Isle of the Blessed? Is it anything to worry about?"

"I'm afraid I don't know, sire. If it is, I fear we may be too late." Gaius said, gravely.

"Whatever Morgana has planned, Camelot is far stronger." Another voice came from the corner. Agravaine stepped out. "We handled her before, we can handle her again. I will dispatch a troop at first light." His slick voice resonated through the council chambers.

"Thank you, Uncle." Arthur replied. Turning towards the rest of the council, Arthur continued to speak. "Morgana stands no chance against the bravest and best of the land. And when she attacks, we will show her that loyalty will always triumph against Magic." Merlin glanced at Gaius, as Arthur asked the council to meet again tomorrow for further discussion.

Everyone knew Morgana was a threat. But they also knew Gaius was right. It was probably too late to do anything today, but tomorrow, they could send out another patrol, and maybe capture Morgana before things get out of hand.

Gaius and Merlin left together as soon as the council was dismissed, and just as they rounded the corner, Merlin looked back at his mentor.

"What do you suppose she's up to now? Isle of the Blessed can't mean anything good." Merlin scowled at the floor.

"I don't know, my boy. I can only hope we can face her when it comes down to it." They entered the Physician's chambers.

"Oh, you heard Arthur. We can definitely do it. And apparently since they don't need Magic to win against Morgana, I'm not even needed," Merlin said, sarcastically. ""Triumph over magic' was it?" Merlin snorted.

"He was just attempting to assure his council. And he did a good job too."

"Yeah, he basically said 'Magic is evil, but guess what? Since we've always won against it, primarily because I'm too oblivious to realize the numerous times my manservant almost died protecting me with magic against said magic, we'll still live and have another poorly timed feast'."

Gaius eyebrows rose. "You seem rather petulant."

"You'd be surprised." Merlin sighed as he sat down on the stool. "This is getting to be too much, Gaius. Every time I save Camelot, it seems to be by the skin of my teeth. Sooner or later, there'll be a foe I can't handle and then what?"

Gaius looked at his weary ward. "You're tired." It wasn't a question, but Merlin nodded anyway. Gaius smiled, reassuringly. "There won't be. You can handle anyone you're up against, remember?"

Merlin looked up. "It's usually me who says that."

"Tell you what? How about you take a nap. I'll wake you up before the feast," Gaius suggested.

"And if Arthur calls me?"

"I'll make up an excuse," Gaius replied. He forced his ward up from the stool and led him to his room in the back.

Merlin groaned. "Oh no, not the Tavern. Arthur already thinks I drink as much as Gwaine! Gwaine, heaven's sake! And I never drank more than a tankard of mead in my whole life! Not to mention Gwaine's been bugging me about it, asking which Tavern I supposedly spend so much time in -" Merlin rambled.

"Yes, yes, I'll come up with a better excuse," the physician dismissed him before leaving the room, as Merlin made his way to his cot, falling unceremoniously onto it.

It didn't take long before Merlin drifted off.

"No mortal has ever survived their touch." Gaius's voice drifted across the oblivion.

"…for the tear to be created it would've required a blood sacrifice. To seal will require another." Gaius was explaining.

"If laying down my life will spare the people of Camelot, then that is what I must do." Arthur's voice echoed through the black, full of confidence mingled with a hint of sadness.

"I will gladly die, Gaius, knowing that one day…Albion will live," Merlin whispered, stubbornness and sorrow resonating through the words.

"They say the darkest hour is just before the dawn," Arthur mumbled.

"Take me with you, please." Merlin was begging.

The voices started to come faster now, more and more.

"Promise me!" Gwen asked Lancelot.

"I will take your place." But Arthur was beyond reason.

"The bravest and noblest of them all!"

"She deserves better than this."

"I'm not that good."

"Bad news."

It was here that the black faded out, and Merlin found himself standing in front of the altar. At the Isle of the Blessed. An old woman stood in front of him, clothed in dark rags. Her pale skin accentuated her black eyes. Those eyes that seemed to be filled with sorrow, death, and pain.

"So Emrys, you choose to challenge me after all. Will you give yourself to the spirits to save your prince?" her old voice rasped.

"It is my destiny." Merlin's voice seemed to break somewhere, but he kept his face as brave as possible. He had to do this. He had to protect Arthur.

The woman nodded. "Perhaps, but your time among men is not yet over, Emrys. Even if you want it to be."

Merlin looked up at her confused before diverting his gaze to behind her. An oblique ripple covered the back of the altar. It was the tear in the veil that separated the spirit world from the real world. He watched dismayed as Lancelot looked back at him.

No! This wasn't supposed to happen! Merlin could only gaze as Lancelot stepped through the veil, giving him a small smile. NO!

Merlin was gasping as he opened his azure eyes, a hint of gold swirling through them. He gazed back into the concerned eyes of Gaius.

"Merlin? Are you alright?"

'Why is it always me? Why should weird dreams, magical monsters, and other aberrations of nature plague me?' Merlin thought while he stayed in the corner of the dining hall, holding an empty wine jug.

As expected, the feast was colorful and meticulously arranged by the servants. The very servants who would play no other role besides serving the pompous nobles. Lancelot looked back at Merlin from behind the table the Knights were seated, concern flickering in his eyes.

Apparently, Gaius thought it would be a great idea to tell him that Merlin had just woke up from a nightmare. And as much as Merlin wanted to explain to the Court Physician about his dream, he was already running late for the feast. The nightmare disturbed Merlin, despite him trying to cover it up. Why did he dream something like that?

He had tried to make sense of the dream as soon as he woke up, and made a list with the points he managed to remember.

Point one: Something bad happened, and people of Camelot were dying.

Point two: Arthur, for some pathetic reason, believed that if he sacrificed his life, everything would be fine.

Point three: Merlin, for the same pathetic reason, thought that he should take Arthur's place and die for Arthur and Camelot.

Final Point: Lancelot beat them all to the race and sacrificed himself.

Merlin mentally went through the list again, attempting to find any clue as to what this dream was about. A forewarning? An ominous sign that something bad would happen to Camelot? As if everything that happened since he stepped into the kingdom wasn't bad enough. Seriously, how did Arthur survive without him?

Merlin glanced at Arthur, as he refilled his jug. Arthur and Agravaine sat on either side of the King's empty chair. As Arthur stood up, the laughter died and everyone gazed up at their Prince.

"Samhain," Arthur said, raising his goblet slightly. "It is the time of year when we feel closest to the spirits of our ancestors. It is a time to remember those we have lost and to celebrate their passing." Arthur continued to recite the speech Merlin had written the previous night. Merlin smiled slightly, as he noted some changes. Seems Gwen had been helping Arthur out.

The air surrounding them suddenly chilled and Merlin glanced around the dining hall. His magic felt out of place, screaming and pulling at him, almost warning him. The world around him slowed down, as Arthur and the rest of the nobles rose their goblets.

"To the King," Arthur said, his voice distorted.

That's when it happened. She appeared in front of his eyes, the old woman from his dreams.

"Emrys," she whispered. And Merlin felt himself drawn to her. The world around them stopped moving altogether, as he stared into her eyes. Those same pitch black eyes that held so much pain and death. Yet, this time, something seemed different in those eyes. There was hope, a small desire for a better future. "Maybe, I can help you." Her voice seemed to speak volumes more than her words. She was calling to him, beseeching him to trust her.

The air seemed to be suffocating him and chilling him to the bone. The full jug clanged against the stone floor, spilling the wine and alerting the nobles. Merlin glanced around the room one last time before the ground rushed to meet him. And he laid shivering on the cold, wet floor.

A/N: I think it's still kind of slow. Guess I don't really know how to speed things up. I thought this chapter was kind of long, but there wasn't really any part that I wanted to omit in it. It has a happy feel to it, before things get dark (hint hint). Please Review!

Oh! Yeah, I changed a lot of the dialogue from what it was in the episode. Part of it was because I didn't have the transcript, the other part is because I needed to change it to fit my story purposes. Did anyone else hate Lancelot dying in this episode? Well, guess where this story came from?

…

I shouldn't be talking so much. :D

However, I do wish to thank everyone that reviewed. My grammar isn't the best, so if you find any errors, feel free to leave a comment behind.

Guys! Don't forget to Review! Thanks! :D

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin. Wish I did...