Alaia Skyhawk: Dun dun dun dun! Part three! For all that this ep always annoyed me because of Arthur's backslide, I have to say I love the creepy/epic Merlin coming out of the mist bit XD

Oh, and I removed the cheesy bit where Gwen conveniently pulls Arthur to safety, never mind that he had a dozen knights with him that also conveniently disappeared to allow that. I've re-written their little chat in the infirmary to a cuter and less cliché version :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Music: N/A

"Whom History Won't Remember" Episode: N/A

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Chapter 3: The Curse of Cornelius Sigan ~Part 3~

The knights from the courtyard retreated to the infirmary, pushing the door open and startling the people inside.

Arthur winced in pain as he walked towards it, a certain maid fearlessly rushing outside to assist him when she saw that he was hurt.

"Sire, you're bleeding!"

He allowed Gwen to lead him inside to sit on one of the tables, a tear in his chainmail stained scarlet from the wound beneath it.

"It's just a scratch. I need to get back out there."

"You can't fight if you bleed to death."

There was another screech from the creatures outside, a number of the servants assisting in here flinching, a handful yelping in fright. But Gwen didn't flinch, and didn't show fear. Instead she directed only a fleeing glance towards the barred-up windows, before concentrating on dressing his wound.

There was something about her determination to help and protect those around her. It had sent her outside into danger instead of her simply waiting at the door, and it kept her calm now. How had he not noticed before how brave she was? Or, in fact, how pretty she was up close?

Arthur inwardly jolted himself, feeling awkward all of a sudden.

"You always seem to surprise me, Guinevere. You're a lot stronger than many give you credit for."

Gwen went still in surprise, blinking as she stared at him with their faces just two feet apart. That surprise became a small smile, and she lowered her eyes to continue her work.

"It's nothing, Sire. I just do what anyone would do."

At the back of the infirmary, looking down carefully from the behind the balustrade that edged the top of the stairway located there, Merlin ducked sharply back into the shadows when the king strode into the room and started talking to Arthur. Hearing the prince declare he was going back out there, listening to him disobey his father's orders to stay, he knew he had to find a solution to this and fast.

He crept down the stairs, glad that the general noise of the room prevented anyone from hearing him. Georg may have released him from the dungeon, but the fact remained that officially he was still meant to be locked up down there.

Merlin waited until the man he needed to speak to came close enough, his hushed words barely audible above the moans of the injured.

"Gaius!"

The old man looked sharply in his direction, expression one of surprise and concern as he discretely hurried over.

"What are you doing here?"

Merlin ducked deeper into the shadows of the stairs, explaining.

"The Captain of the Castle Guard let me out, hoping that since I'd tried to warn Arthur this morning, you and I might be able to do something." He paused. "Do you have any ideas? I have to help him."

Gaius sighed, knowing this suggestion was not going to be a welcomed one.

"Merlin, Sigan's power is far beyond what yours is right now."

"I don't have a choice!"

The physician place a hand on his ward's arm, to calm him and hopefully prevent any further raising of his voice.

"I know that, but there is only one alive who is old enough to give us the answers we need... You must go ask the Great Dragon."

Merlin stared at him, slowly starting to shake his head.

"No, no there has to be another way. His advice almost got you and my mother killed!"

Gaius bowed his head, understanding.

"Never the less, he is the only one who can help us. It is a choice between doing something you'd rather not, or allowing Arthur, and Camelot, to fall."

Merlin went quiet and still for several moments, before he wordlessly turned and went back up the stairs. No reply had been needed, not with his stormy expression making clear exactly what he was going to do.

He broke into a run as soon as he was clear of the infirmary, taking advantage of the lack of guards inside the castle to make a dash straight for the path to the lower levels. His expression darkened still further when he seized a torch from a holder in those depths, using it to light his way down passages he'd not traversed in months.

There was no sign of the dragon when he emerged onto the ledge, but he knew the chained-creature could not be far.

"Hello?" There was no answer, a shower of dust from above reminding him of the urgency of this. He could sense the dragon's anger still simmering here, and knew it would take more than a single word to make him show himself... He would have to beg. "Please! I need your help!"

There was a rattle of chain and a rush of air, followed by a thunder of wing-beats as the dragon soared into view and landed. And when he did, he regarded the young warlock before him, with narrowed eyes.

"You told me I would not see you again."

Merlin bit his lip, wishing he'd been able to keep to that vow.

"I'm not here for myself, I'm here for Arthur."

The dragon snorted.

"Arthur's path lies with yours. You have made it clear that you do not walk in step with me."

There was clear anger in both of them, but Merlin knew he would have to set his own aside.

"You cannot want Cornelius Sigan to win. You're not evil."

"At least Sigan knows where his loyalties lie." He glared, almost spitting the next words. "You have shown that you do not."

"So you will let Camelot fall?"

It was a challenge as much as a question, the dragon regarding Merlin haughtily before he replied.

"I did not say that."

"So you will help me?"

There was hope now, a hope punctuated by urgency as another shower of dust rained down, yet the dragon remained solemn.

"To defeat Sigan, you will need a spell more powerful than anything you know. But you must give me something in return for it... A promise."

Merlin frowned, confused.

"A promise?"

The dragon nodded.

"Yes. That, one day, you will free me."

The young man before him became wary.

"And what will you do once I release you."

"That is not your concern." Golden eyes remained fixed on Merlin, unwavering and set on this course. "Will you swear this to me?"

Merlin, remembering how determined Arthur had been to go out and protect his people, nodded. When his duty called, Arthur was a greater man than any he knew, even if he could be intolerable when bored.

"I don't trust you, but I promise. For Camelot, and Arthur, you have my word. Now please, give me the spell."

The dragon shifted and resettled himself, so that his head lay closer to the ledge.

"Close your eyes and open you mind." Merlin did as he was bidden, the dragon releasing an almost visible gust of breath over him. When it was over, and the warlock opened his eyes, they gleamed golden as the gifted knowledge settled in. The dragon was now serious. "Few men have ever been gifted such knowledge. Use it wisely... And Merlin, remember your promise. One day I will keep you to it."

Merlin nodded almost numbly, turning and hurrying out. The tumble of images, concepts, and incantations that had been trust into his mind; they were all a swirl that he was having to force into an order that was comprehensible.

He had to stop and steady himself once he managed it, taking a deep breath against the spike of terror. Fear of himself when the implications of what he now knew sank in.

The Great Dragon, in order for him to be able to seal Sigan away, had given him the knowledge of the magic Sigan had used to cheat death in the first place. For if you know how a thing was done, then you know how to counter it.

He swallowed uncomfortably against the urge to be sick, at the disgust his felt at the immoral use of magic Sigan's immortality represented. The sorcerer was now a parasite, one that needed a vessel in order to exist, and one that would burn out and devour any being, magical or otherwise, that he came to possess. He was something that should not exist in the world, and while he could not be destroyed, he could be locked away never to be released again.

Merlin changed direction, racing to Gaius' chambers to retrieve the crystal heart.. And once he had it he made his way to the courtyard, hesitating at the doorway out to it when he could see no sign of the prince.

His eyes searched the night's darkness, noting the infirmary door was shut tight, and it seemed as though everyone had retreated inside, perhaps Arthur too. But then he looked up to a circling gargoyled and saw it dive, dive towards the unconscious form he'd not recognised among the many others laid strewn about the square.

Arthur...

Merlin snapped a hand out towards the beast, eyes burning gold.

"Astrice!"

The gargoyle exploded, raining down as a shower of harmless gravel, while Merlin rushed to Arthur's side. A touch of his shoulder let him sense the prince still lived. Veils of smoke, from burning buildings in the town, drifted through the courtyard. They obscured from him the approach of an figure, one that he only noticed was there when they spoke.

"Who would have believed it? You, a sorcerer, and a powerful one."

Cedric, or rather Sigan, came to a stop a short way away, cloaked in black robes and arrogance with equal measure. Seeing him, Merlin rose to his feet and placed himself between the sorcerer and Arthur.

"I won't let you hurt him."

Sigan looked almost amused.

"And you are going to stop me?" He gestured to the prince. "He does not deserve your loyalty. He treats you like a slave."

Merlin shook his head.

"That's not true."

"He cast you aside without a moment's thought."

Merlin hesitated, biting his lip and remaining firm.

"That doesn't matter."

Sigan came closer, once again pausing as he spoke.

"But it must hurt so much to be so put upon, so overlooked... When all the while you have such power."

Merlin bowed his head, feeling that pain, but did not give in.

"That's the way it has to be."

"Does it?" Sigan regarded him steadily, words like venom to creep into the heart and soul. "You're young, Merlin, look inside yourself. You have yet to discover your true power." He held out a hand. "I can help you... Think, Merlin. To have the world appreciate your greatness, to have Arthur know you for what you are."

Those words struck, the embodiment of the greatest of temptations Merlin knew. To be known, appreciated, accepted for what he was... But, it wasn't time for that.

He shook his head almost painfully.

"That can never be. Not now."

Sigan's insistence continued, his words still trying to draw Merlin in.

"It can, if you join me." He could see the pull they had on the young warlock, could sense Merlin's resolve waver. "Together we could rule the world. Arthur will tremble at your voice; he will kneel at your feet."

Temptation vanished in an instant, Merlin going chill with determination. He'd been offered that once before, and it had no more meaning to him now than it did then.

"I don't want that."

Whatever air of comradeship Sigan had been trying to show, it disappeared now into what seemed like disgust.

"You would rather be a servant?"

Merlin nodded, eyes narrowed.

"Better to serve a good man, than to rule with an evil one."

Sigan glared, drawing himself up tall.

"So be it... If you will not join me, then I will become you, and your powers will be harnessed to my will."

Merlin saw Cedric's body shudder, the man's eyes returning to terror as he was released from enslavement only for his heart to fail. He dropped silent and dead to the cobbled ground, blue light like drifting air streaming away from him. This was the moment, the moment Sigan was vulnerable, and gripping the crystal heart, Merlin uttered his spell as that light circled around him and sought entry.

"Ic thin sawol her beleac, abide thaet ic the aliese."

Sigan's soul reached his face, making him shudder as the sorcerer pushed his way in through nose and mouth. Merlin then dropped to the ground, still convulsing as their two wills competed for control.

Out across the city all fell silent, the door of the infirmary cautiously opening to allow the Court Physician to come out into the open. The sounds of death had gone from the smoke-clouded courtyard, one that echoed now to only the sounds of his footsteps... and then he saw a figure standing amid those grey veils, one seeming almost as dark as the night's shadows.

"Merlin?"

Merlin, for that was indeed who it was, began to walk slowly towards him. His narrowed eyes and serious expression triggering a moment of fear in the physician before it was shattered by a triumphant grin.

Merlin smiled, holding up the crystal heart to reveal it was blue once again; Sigan's soul locked away within it.

"I did it."

Gaius rushed to his side, pulling him in a fierce hug of relief. And then the two of them turned their attention to Arthur, carrying him towards the infirmary. Some explanations would need to be made, and some convincing excuses too.

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Alaia Skyhawk: No, I haven't cut the "Arthur dumps cleaning his armour on Merlin" bit, it will be in part 1 of the sub-ep. The reason is hinted at in the end line of this one XD

Seriously, someone HAS to ask just how the hell Sigan was stopped, and I feel like giving Merlin a backwards bit of credit. And by backwards, you'll see what I mean when you read it hehehehehe.