"Who do you choose to die, Arthur Pendragon, Prince of Camelot?"
"I choose Merlin."
*
Merlin was seated between Gaius and Gwen when Arthur told the woman his choice. As soon as Arthur had made his choice Merlin's heart sped up. Merlin clutched at his chest and his breathing became shallow. Gaius reached out and took a firm grasp of Merlin's arm.
"Merlin? What's wrong?" Merlin gasped and grasped at his throat.
"Can't… breathe… Gaius…?" Merlin's face began to take on a slightly blue hue and Gaius and Gwen, along with two knights, quickly lay him on the floor.
"Gaius, what's wrong with him?" Morgana asked.
"I'm not sure."
*
"Are you sure?"
Arthur turned away from the woman to look at Merlin. Merlin's face had turned slightly blue.
"No! I take it back. Please?" The woman nodded.
*
Merlin's face became pale again and his breathing evened out. Merlin slowly opened his eyes and frowned.
"Merlin? Are you all right?"
"I think so… I'm not sure. What happened?"
"Your breathing became shallow and you turned blue." The worry in Morgana's voice didn't seem to match the way that Morgana was meant to feel for Merlin. But no one mentioned it, yet.
"Really? Well, I think I'm okay now," Merlin frowned. "I don't know what happened." Gaius helped him to his feet and, although he staggered a little, Merlin made it back to his seat.
*
"All those times that I was in danger, it was Merlin who helped me. All those times he saved me he used magic. Didn't he?" The woman didn't reply to the question. Arthur turned back to Merlin and looked at him more closely. Merlin's face was back to its normal shade of white and, for a second, his eyes flashed a bright gold colour. Arthur fell back from his manservant. Arthur stayed back for a minute before moving closer again.
"He's a sorcerer. Am I going to remember this?"
"Yes. You will remember everything that is said, done and discovered."
"Great," Arthur said, lacing the word with sarcasm. "He's going to help me become the greatest king ever? And he'll be famous? Hard to believe but somehow I think it's fitting. I wonder if people will remember him as an idiot." Arthur looked at Morgana and hesitantly stood in front of her.
"Morgana… my adversary. My sister. Why Morgana? Why? What have I ever done to you? I've never hurt you. I've never humiliated you on purpose. Do I have to decide?"
"Yes, Prince."
"I can't kill her. Despite what she's going to become I can't."
*
Morgana moved through the dark castle hallways silently and kept vigilant for any noises or shadows. Morgana reached the door she had been after and very carefully opened the door. The hinges didn't make a sound and she snuck into the room. Gwen had fallen asleep in the chair and Arthur's breathing was still shallow. Morgana moved closer to Arthur's bed, opposite to Gwen, and, after a quick look at Gwen, she leant down and whispered in Arthur's ear:
"Don't come back, Arthur. I want to kill Uther myself. Don't ever come back."
*
Arthur heard a whispering in his ear. It was an uncomfortable feeling but he recognised the voice. Don't come back, Arthur. I want to kill Uther myself. Don't ever come back. Arthur spun to face the woman.
"Morgana has just whispered that into your body's ear." Arthur faced Morgana again and saw something in her change. Where once there was kindness and compassion, there was now hatred and loathing. It wasn't just her expression that changed but her entire demeanor changed. She became more closed and bent. Her body became older and a certain ugliness took over her features, though she was still beautiful to behold.
"This is what she could become."
*
Lancelot had heard the news about Arthur from a peasant in one of the outlying villages and had gotten to the castle as quickly as he could. He was currently watching Gwen walk across the courtyard, weaving between the mourners, heading towards Gaius' quarters. Lancelot stayed back to watch her because he wasn't sure if she'd be happy to see him or not.
On the other side of the square, Gwen stopped and looked around. She had felt someone's eyes on her. Over near the gates, Gwen spotted Lancelot leaning against the wall and watching her. When he realised that she was watching he smiled and raised a hand in greeting. Gwen, relieved to see someone other than palace staff and the friends she saw daily, smiled and raced over to him. Lancelot pulled her into a warm embrace and held her for a little longer than necessary. But Gwen didn't mind in the least.
"What are you doing here?" Gwen pushed herself away from Lancelot to ask.
"I heard about Arthur in an outlying village and came straight here. Besides, I wanted to see you anyway," Gwen smiled again. "How is Arthur?"
"Still unconscious. Gaius thinks that his soul is missing, but that'll come back. If Arthur passes the test." Gwen shrugged.
"Is there somewhere we can go where we won't be watched?" Gwen looked and noticed that several guards were watching them and, across the square, so was Merlin. He caught Gwen's eyes and gave her a questioning look. She smiled to reassure him, took Lancelot's hand and led him away from the palace and towards her house. When they got there, Lancelot sat at the table, and after an awkward wait, Gwen sat opposite him.
"Are you okay, Gwen?"
"Yes… no, not really." Gwen tried for a smile but tears sprung to her eyes and she buried her face in her hands. Lancelot moved next to her and held her close as she wept.
"I'm sorry, Lancelot. I just… I need him to come back," Gwen glanced up at Lancelot and saw a jealous look cross his face. "For Camelot." She added quickly. Lancelot breathed out and held her tighter. Gwen could hear his heartbeat and she closed her eyes. As soon as her eyes were closed she was imagining that she was in Arthur's arms and that it was his heartbeat she was hearing.
How could she love two men?
*
Arthur stood quietly, facing Morgana. He didn't want to believe what he was hearing or seeing. And yet, something told him that it wasn't a trick or a game. Something told him that it was the absolute truth.
"Will you give her enough time so that I can tell her?" Arthur said not turning from Morgana.
"That would not be a good idea." Arthur nodded slowly. He understood but he didn't like it.
"Fine."
"Who do you choose to die, Arthur Pendragon, Prince of Camelot?" Arthur took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"I choose Morgana."
A/N: Thank you all so mush for the reviews! I promise that there will be at least one more chapter, maybe two. I'm not sure. It all depends on how many reviews I get. Please keep them coming!
