Less than a month after Morgana's departure, Merlin found himself sorely missing her gifts and her influence, as the soul of Cornelius Sigan escaped its tomb into the body of a thief, nearly destroying Camelot before Merlin could make anyone believe that something was wrong. Finally, with Sigan's soul recaptured, Merlin returned to his room to enjoy a solid night's sleep.
The sky was still dark when Merlin woke to find a raven standing on his chest. After previous few days, his first reaction was blind panic, but this bird did not instil in him the sense of doom that Sigan's ravens had carried. The bird simply stood there, head cocked curiously, then extended a foot toward Merlin. There was something tied to its leg, a letter. Merlin unrolled the message and held it up to the moonlight.
M,
I now spend much time in the forest near my relative's home, and learn from the people who live there. Thank you for aiding me in my travels.
Discreet and subtle as ever, but Morgana had still found a way to let him know that she was well.
The next time, it wasn't a bird's note, but a simple wooden box, delivered by a trader who claimed it was a gift from Merlin's aunt. Merlin had no aunts at all, but he took the box and gave the man a coin for delivering it. Inside the box was carved the seal of the house of Gorlois, along with a line in the old language. Merlin read the line out loud, and a thick letter appeared.
Dear M,
As we both suspected, I have the real magic-gift, not just the seer's gift. This box, and another one like it, are the most complicated thing I've tried so far. To write to me, just put the letter in the box and speak the same words you used to summon this letter. Of course, always burn my letters after you read them.
Here outside Camelot, magic is used a bit more openly. I haven't shown it to anyone in my aunt's household, but she is quite old, and pays little attention when I leave for days at a time. I meet with several Druids, as well as a woman who claims she was trained as a priestess of the Triple Goddess, though she can't possibly be much older than I am. Perhaps one of them will take service in the household, so we can spend more time together.
Between the priestess and the Druids, I've learned to control my dreams. They still come, but not every night, and I can guide them towards things I want or need to see. It's so wonderful to be able to sleep properly.
I didn't realize how bad it had grown back in Camelot. I was afraid all the time, afraid of Uther, afraid of myself. I was so used to being afraid that I hardly noticed it any more. When you've had enough of hiding your nature, come join me..
Merlin read the letter three times before he burned it. He sat back, smiled, then picked up a pen.
My Lady,
Thank you for writing me. I'm glad to hear you are well. Arthur is as frustrating as ever, but he's done some truly remarkable things recently. I think he even cares for Gwen, though it drives me mad the way neither of them can ever seem to admit it.
Tell me, is the magic of the druids much different from the kind I know? What is it like among them? How exactly did you learn to control the seer's gift?
Dear M,
So many questions! I think Gwen would be good for Arthur, she doesn't tolerate his sort of nonsense. Yes, Druid magic is different, but what the priestesses know is about the same. I think Gaius must have trained under the priestesses, long ago.
As for the seer's gift, it's easier than I thought. A trick of concentrating as I fall asleep, almost like I want to cast a spell, but without the words. I can't really explain it, but it works.
Don't let Arthur drive you mad!
My Lady,
We have a guest at Court, Lady Catrina of Tregor. She's very beautiful, and kind and gracious to everyone. I think she and the King were friends, long ago, and now they seem to be courting. Arthur is horrified by the sight of his father flirting, but everyone else seems pleased.
Never mind what I said about Catrina being a lovely woman. She's a troll, an actual stinking, fanged troll, in disguise, about to marry the King, if you like! and no one will believe me. Why do I even bother?
Dear M,
Be careful. My friend tells me that trolls have powerful magic, and can be very violent.
My Lady,
Thank you for your concern. It's been very strange here. The king actually did marry the troll, but Gaius and I stole her disguise-potion, and the whole court saw the queen transform!
A strange blot marred the center of the letter, as though the writer had dropped his pen in a sudden and uncontrollable fit of laughter.
Then, it got even weirder. Apparently she had Uther so enchanted, he didn't even notice! You wouldn't believe what we had to do to break that spell: We made Arthur look dead. But hey, the troll queen's dead, Arthur's alive, AND Arthur actually admitted that I was right. A good day all around.
Dear M,
I'm just glad you're safe. Perhaps this time Arthur will learn a lesson about listening to you?
My Lady,
I am sorry you haven't heard from me in a few days. It's been ugly here in Camelot, and I lost someone very special. I thought I could save her, like I saved you, but she died. I really don't have the strength to explain, and no one except Gaius knows what really happened.
I'm so tired now, I just have to keep going.
Merlin stopped there, and sent out the note inside the sender box before he could change his mind and tear it up instead.
Dear M,
I wish I were there with you. If you need me, just say the word, and I'll come back.
It was two days before Merlin was able to send a reply that didn't involve begging her to do just that.
My Lady,
Thank you for your kindness. It means more than I can possibly say that you'd even offer, but no, you should stay where you're safe.
Dear M,
Remember, if you need help, I will always answer.
My Lady,
You won't believe what happened here this week. Some neighboring royalty came for a tournament, and one of them brought a sorcerer of his own. He made Arthur fall in love with Lady Vivienne, King Olaf's beautiful, arrogant daughter. Then, the sorcerer made Vivienne fall in love with him! I think he was hoping Arthur and Olaf would kill one another, which they nearly did.
But that's not the best part. I tried to break the spell, I did everything in the book, but the only thing that worked was Gwen's kiss. True love, eh? I knew he was looking at her, when he thought no one was watching!
Dear M,
But what about Lady Vivienne? She was enchanted as well. I knew her as a child and it sounds like she hasn't improved, so I'm sure she could use a lesson in humility, but love spells are always trouble. Someone has to break that, or it'll end in violence one way or another. I'm going to see if we can help her.
After that, the flow of letters from Morgana came to a halt. After ten days and three unanswered letters, Merlin began to worry in earnest. Had the lovestruck Vivienne killed her in a catfight? It sounded disturbingly plausible. Merlin even considered leaving Camelot to check on her, but on the twelfth day of silence, Lady Morgana herself appeared, unannounced and with only two men as escort.
Her face was tanned from long days outdoors, her hair was bound up in a simple braid with a few strands escaping, and she wore a simple gown of deep blue linen. At the sight of her, the King and Prince both rushed down to the courtyard, Merlin trailing behind Arthur. "My dear Morgana, how have you been?" the King asked, as Arthur handed her down from the saddle.
"Quite well, sire," she responded. "I have learned much from my aunt, and the people of her holding." What Merlin recognized as her political smile was firmly in place as she followed Uther into the castle.
Three days passed before Merlin had the chance to speak to her in private, and in the end Morgana resorted to visiting with him while he was working in the armory.
She had once again donned her elaborate court gowns, and Gwen had probably worked on her hair for half the morning, but some of the changes in her remained. The perpetual air of suppressed terror that she'd carried in the old days had vanished. In its place was a charming mix of boldness and uncertainty.
"You look well," Merlin began awkwardly.
"And you look as if you've been working and worrying too much," Morgana answered. "Doesn't Arthur ever let you sleep?"
"Oh, now and then. And then Gaius wants me to go grind some herbs, or clean the leech tank, or something." Merlin's expression turned more serious. "I hadn't expected to see you back in Camelot so soon."
"Well, a friend and I went to Olaf's realm to see Lady Vivienne." Morgana glanced at the door and lowered her voice. "The enchantment was just as stubborn as you reported, if we hadn't managed to find that young knight who was in love with her, I don't know what we could have done."
"A friend?" Merlin inquired.
"A very kind woman who's taught me...some truly remarkable things."
Just then, a squire arrived with an armload of armor. Morgana changed the subject abruptly.
"So you say we have six new knights this year? I will have to prepare favors for them."
"Every one of them would be honored to carry your favor, M'Lady." Merlin replied, grinning broadly. He'd speak to Morgana more later.
The next day, Merlin and Arthur were sent away to investigate reports of smoke in the ruins of Idirsholas, and returned to find Camelot silent, filled with sleeping people who could not be awakened. With Morgana's help, they investigated, and tried to find a way to defend Camelot against the one responsible for the sleeping spell.
As Arthur struggled to hide his father in a servant's bed, Morgana pulled Merlin aside. "It can't be my magic protecting me. I can see this spell is taking you, too."
Merlin swayed, sweating profusely. "Have you recently met any magic-users who might particularly hate Camelot?"
Morgana's eyes widened. "My friend Morgause, we met last night. She was the one who suggested I return to Camelot in the first place."
"I think I know what's happening, now. The spell is somehow attached to you. That's why you're not affected."
"So how do we break it?"
"I think-the dragon says-it'll break if you die, but there has to be another way."
"Merlin! Hurry!" Arthur stared out the window.
"I've got an idea!" Merlin called back. "Morgana and I will go back to Gaius's workshop, look again for his cure. Can you keep watch for us?"
The two ran down the corridors, ignoring Arthur's voice as he called after them. Merlin flung open his magic book and flipped through the pages. "Here! A general counterspell. I already tried it on Gaius, but I think I need to try it directly on you." He pointed a hand at her and read the words. Nothing happened. He repeated it, more forcefully. His eyes flashed, and the tower trembled slightly. Then, Merlin tumbled to the floor unconscious.
Morgana, pale with terror, stepped closer to the table and stared at the book. She read the spell herself, once, and then a second time. At the second reading, the tower trembled again. At the third, a loud crack rang out through the castle, and Gaius sat up, blinking. Outside the door, she could hear men shouting at each other, confused and frightened. Merlin, however, did not stir.
She stared at Merlin a moment more, then shook her head. First, hide the book. Morgana ran up the stairs and hid it away. As she came back out, Gaius stopped her. "What happened here? Have more people fallen sick? Why is Merlin on the floor?"
"I think this was some sort of magical attack," She began carefully. "I feel much better now, let's see what's happening outside."
Just then, the alarm bells began to ring. Morgana ignored Gaius and rushed back to the main corridor where she'd left Arthur.
She met Arthur running in the other direction. "Attack at the gate!" he gasped out. She turned and followed him down the stairs. At the gate to the citadel itself, they found a fierce battle, if a small one. Half a dozen armored knights and a blonde-haired woman fought with the guards. As they approached, one of the invaders was stabbed straight through the belly. He kept going without even a flinch.
Morgana's eyes widened, and she ran toward the fight. Arthur, hampered by his armor and the last dregs of the spell, could not keep up with her. Once again, he was left yelling down a corridor as she sprinted away from him.
"What are you doing?" She shouted. "The guards have done nothing wrong."
The woman looked up at her, eyes flashing with rage. "Wasting my time, apparently." She turned and rode off, but not before an arrow slammed into the back of her armor, rocking her in the saddle. Behind the woman, the knights crumbled to dust, and Arthur stared in shock as Morgana turned around and walked back to the citadel.
Morgana slipped into Merlin's room that night, past Gaius. Merlin was sleeping, but when she touched his shoulder, his eyes opened.
"Seems my friend the priestess didn't tell me everything," Morgana began. "Morgause was behind it, all of it, from the fires burning in the Fortress of Idrisholas to the sleeping spell. She fled after we broke the spell, she was wounded badly, but we have to assume she's still alive." Tactfully Morgana did not say, "After you fainted and I broke the spell."
She went on. "I think I will go back to the druids, now, as soon as I can manage it. I'll tell Uther I'm visiting King Olaf this time. Vivienne will cover for me, she knows what I did for her. I need to talk to someone about Morgause, I knew she hated Camelot, but I hadn't expected a direct attack now, certainly not one using me."
"Do you have to leave? We make a good team," Merlin offered.
Morgana sighed. "This isn't my home anymore. Don't worry, I'll still write you."
"Don't forget to write Uther, too."
"Oh, of course. Happy enough that my dear guardian won't worry, not so happy that he'd think I have a lover. Honestly, sometimes he still acts like I'm thirteen, you would think he'd at least have found me some proper suitors by now." There was a hint of the old bitterness, but she sounded more weary than angry.
"Good luck," Merlin said, drifting back to sleep.
Just a few hours later, Merlin's peaceful rest was interrupted again, as the Dragon reminded him of his promise. Stealing one of the Swords of Medea was entirely too easy, but what happened afterward would live in Merlin's nightmares for the rest of his life.
For some time afterward, he hesitated to write to Morgana. Certainly he was ashamed of freeing the dragon, ashamed that he couldn't protect his father, but, more than that, Merlin just didn't know how to begin to explain what had happened. Instead, he simply sent her a list of Camelot's dead, along with reassurances that Gwen, Arthur and most of her other friends were still alive and well.
Dear M,
I won't ask you what the dragon's attack was like. I understand if it's too dreadful to speak of right now. I'll just pray for now, to give thanks for those who survived and to help the wounded. Let me know if there is anything we (either the druids or King Olaf's folk) can do to help. Fortunately, I've heard nothing from Morgause since she fled Camelot.
Vivienne hasn't grown terribly much more sense, but Sir Kellen, the knight who broke her love spell, is slowly making inroads with her father Olaf. I think Olaf's beginning to understand that he won't live forever, and if he doesn't choose a bride for his daughter, she might wind up marrying someone absolutely unsuitable.
My Lady,
Tell me more about this Sir Kellen. I can't believe Olaf let a man anywhere near his daughter without killing him! Besides, if Kellen's going to marry her, Arthur will have to meet him someday anyway, hopefully as an ally.
Dear M,
Sir Kellen is just a bit older than Vivienne, tall, and brown haired. Quiet, a good contrast to her fire, but when he speaks, he usually talks sense. King Olaf has sent him off on three missions to date, and Kellen personally killed the rabid bear terrorizing an outer village, led the group that brought a nest of bandits to justice, and arbitrated a tricky inheritance case, with all sides satisfied. I think Olaf's running out of tests.
Personally, I've only met him briefly, but I think Vivienne could do a lot worse-Arthur, for example! Now, tell me more about things in Camelot. How are the repairs progressing?
My Lady,
Arthur completed his vigil last night. I'm not entirely sure how dislocating his kneecaps on a stone floor all night will help prepare him for kingship, but he's really taking all this very seriously, and apparently he's going to go on a quest for the Fisher King's trident. In the Perilous Lands, of all places, and he thinks he'll pull it off without me along!
Dear M,
Let me know when Arthur gets back. He's a clever boy, who knows, he might even be able to find the trident. Unless, of course, Olaf sends Kellen after it first!
Three days later, Merlin helped Arthur into the saddle in the courtyard. On the prince's wrist was a new piece of jewelry, one that glistened and sparkled with magic. "Where did you get that?" Merlin asked carefully.
"Oh, Lady Annabel gave it to me. Said it would grant me luck, and she'd like me to think of her in the lands of the Fisher King."
Merlin blinked. Merlin hadn't had much contact with Annabel, but he didn't entirely trust her. Lady Annabel had arrived in Camelot only two months earlier, claiming to be a knight's daughter from a realm beyond Mercia. Her clothes and her small entourage were fine enough to support the claim, but on several occasions, he'd seen her wandering the citadel alone late at night or early in the morning.
Furthermore, Merlin was surprised to see Arthur showing so much interest in a woman other than Gwen. The stupid bracelet was probably some sort of love spell, which Merlin would naturally have to break, alone, again. At least Arthur would be safe from her outside Camelot, as Annabel hardly seemed the type to ride off into the wilderness after him.
Once Arthur was gone, Merlin ran back to the physician's tower and began searching through books and records for anything similar to the jewel that Arthur had received. When Gaius finally found it, Merlin shuddered. How had an ordinary noble daughter come across something like that? And why had she given it to the Prince?
"Keep an eye on her, Gaius. I'm going after Arthur."
"Alone?"
"I'll find some help."
It took days for Merlin to locate Gwaine, track down Arthur, and remove the deadly gift. By the time Merlin and Arthur returned to Camelot, Lady Annabel had left, claiming that she needed to return to her family's estates. Oddly enough, the question of where those estates lay had once more gone unanswered. Though Merlin searched the archives and spoke to almost everyone in the castle, no one seemed to know where Annabel had come from or where she had gone.