Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Merlin only my own. Also if you want to see the clothes that my character wears, and the character that plays her, go to my profile hereticheir at polyvore . com to look at the collections. The collection starts at chapter 2 and then goes on.
Chapter 4
"Milady, they will be in the throne room any minute now." Mena said behind me as I watched Bayard's men enter the citadel. I already knew full well that they were in the castle and approaching.
"Yes, of course." I turned and walked to where I was supposed to be. My navy blue skirts trailing behind me; anxious breathes forced out through the tight fighting teal torso and bust of my dress.
"Milady you'll be fine. Don't worry" She said, taking in my old habit of clutching the fabric of clothing whenever I was nervous. This time it was my white silk sleeves that almost touched the ground.
"Signing this peace treaty, marks the day of my Reign. The day where I start to leave my mark on the world. I know this treaty will be good for all three kingdoms involved, but…"
"You're worried about whether or not you will be Princess that leaves a lasting legacy, or one who tarnishes your people's view of you." Mena finished for me.
"Do you think me foolish?" I asked honestly.
"I think it's wise that you are already thinking about the world you want to leave behind." She finished and curtsied to me.
"Milady," Trion spoke up behind me, "Now is the time."
I nodded and turned from Mena and took my place, in a "V" formation with, Uther being the tip, and then Arthur a step behind him with his knights following behind, the swan knights of Leonesse got into a the same position in the middle of the Camelot knights, with me in the middle, in cased on all sides. The tension between Mercia and Camelot was a long standing one, so the hesitance to accept any sort of peace between the two countries was evident.
Just as I took one final breath, Mena and the court far behind us, the majestic doors to the great hall were thrown open and knights in blue with an imposing man, with a confidence and dignity that could only have been taught to someone since birth walked in the same formation toward us.
We meet in the middle one lord not going any further or any closer to the other, and a heavy silence enveloped the room. Until Uther spoke, "Camelot welcomes you, Lord Bayard of Mercia. The treaty we sign today marks and end to war and a beginning to a new friendship between our people." He said and he and Uther both grasped each other's arms. Applause filled the hall from both parties, as my knights and the Camelot's knights widened the formation, to let me pass. "I have the pleasure to introduce to you," Uther started again, as I approached the two monarchs, "Princess Lothrielle de Lancret of Leonesse. She will be signing the treaty in behalf of her kingdom."
"Princess," Bayard reached for my hand and kissed it, and I curtsied to him, "It is a pleasure to finally meet face to face. I once had the pleasure of knowing your mother; you are just as if not more beautiful than her when she was your age."
"Your majesty pays me too high a compliment… My mother is far more beautiful than I." I say as genuinely and graciously as I can.
Bayard, Uther, and those within hearing distance chuckle politely at what I said, "My father once said the same thing to your mother when she first visited Mercia, and she said the same. If there's one quality I hope to always be passed down from the mothers to daughters of Leonesse, it is your generosity and your humility."
"I hope the same." I said with a smile in agreement.
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"You did well my Princess, both powerful and enchanting." Mena said as we finally got back to our chambers to get ready for the feast tonight.
"Thank you," I said, "But, I did not know that my mother used to be in the confidence of Lord Bayard."
"I did not know either." Mena said. "Though I did hear rumors, when I was younger; I just thought it to be silly gossip of the court of Leonesse."
"What rumors were those?" I asked.
"Milady, I feel it not right to tell you. If you want to know the truth of your mothers past you should ask her yourself."
"Mena, must you always be so honorable?" I say, jestingly, and both of us laugh, and start to change.
My dress was a tight fitted laced long sleeved white shirt with a teal bodice with gold detailed floral embroidered work, stopped just above my hips, and a full sparkled gold skirt that shimmered as I walked, and a foot of shimmering gold silk at the bottom of my outter skirt that touched the floor covering my gold heals. Cinched at the waist was a diamond incrusted belt, to match the tiara on my dark curled hair that Mena somehow was able to make shine more than usual.
Mena was also a stunning sight. Her hair was in a long braid that fell over her shoulder and a gold chain, and pearl circlet that wrapped around her head. Her beautiful flowing green silk dress that trailed behind her was connected to a gold necklace leaving her shoulders dusted with sparkles, and on her feet a pair of golden heals.
Ever since her encounter with death, and waking with Trion at her side, she and him were growing even more close then they already were, and though she would have the eyes of many men, her eyes would only be drawn to Trion. Which was why letting her go was the right thing.
"Mena." I said
"Yes Milady?"
"Once we return to Leonesse, I am promoting your station." I said to her with a tint of sadness.
"What?" Her voice sounded in surprise.
"You have been a loyal friend and companion my whole life, but it's now time for me to release you from my company, so you may enjoy the rest of your life."
"But, Princess, Why?" She asked, giving away her unhappiness.
"Because it's time for you to marry Trion; you both need to be with each other. When you were on your death bed and you both not being joined together, was something that gave me great remorse. I only ask for your forgiveness for keeping you two from being with each other sooner."
"Milady," she said as she rushed to me and we embraced, "I can't leave you yet! Even if I marry Trion, I can still be in your company."
I hugged her tighter and shook my head so she could feel my answer. This was harder than I thought it would be. "No, Mena. I'm afraid I can't have that, Trion is bound to protect me through law, but when you both marry he will be bound to you as your husband, which is greater than me. You will always come first in his eyes, which is how it should be. So he will also be prompted to a Lord. You both have done so much for me; both of you need to move on with your lives."
"But Princess please…" she pleaded as tears fell down her face.
"No, Mena," I said sternly, trying to control myself and the situation. "This is the right thing to do. I know it is; now go, fix your makeup and tell Trion the good news. When we return you both will be married."
"Yes Milady." She said and curtsied, and started to walk out.
"Mena," I called after her as she opened the door, "Thank you. You both have meant everything to me. So I do this because I love you both."
"We love you to, Lothrielle. It has been the greatest honor for me to be your friend."
"No not friend…sisters." I said, and then dismissed her.
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After fixing my own makeup, I had a certain mission to fulfill. I searched the castle and when I found the man I was looking for in the courtyard, I walked up to greet him. "Lord Bayard." I said with a curtsey.
"Ah Princess Lothrielle a pleasure to see you, and again might I say you look stunning." He said taking in my attire for the banquet.
"Thank you, my lord. I was wondering if we might have a moment to talk." I ask.
"Of course." He said and offers his arm to me, and we start to walk around. "What is it you want to speak about?" He asked when we were no longer in hearing distance.
"It's about my mother. How did you know her? I was unaware you both used to be acquainted with each other, or that she ever visited Mercia."
"Ah, yes. Um…Are you sure you don't want to wait and ask your mother?"
"No my lord. I wish to know now, if it's alright by you."
"Very well." He said not trying to persuade me otherwise, "Your mother and I were, I guess you can say in love."
"You were?" I asked in shock.
"Yes, I loved your mother very much. We wanted to marry. But things happened, such as your Uncle, Prince Tristan passed and your aunt was married, your mother was the next one in line."
"Yes I remember that. I remember her telling me many times that she never wanted the throne. You were the reason. Since originally she wasn't in line for her own crown she was free to marry whoever she wanted. But then everything happened…"
"And Aurora," He said her name with such intensity, obviously still madly in love with her and I realized I never heard any other man other then my father call her by her first name. "Succeeded your brother, having to take the crown. I pleaded with your mother to not do it. To leave the throne to Aggrivaine but she wouldn't think of it…"
"Aggrivaine is a traitor to the courts of Leonesse." I said with distain.
"Your mother said that, and told me why they thought that, but still, I wanted so badly for her to be my wife and for you to have been my daughter, I just know we would've been happy."
"I have no doubt that we would have." I said dejected.
"Did your mom ever become happy?"He asked, as if sensing my disposition.
"My mother and father had a tough relationship. My mother's loyalty was to her kingdom, and I think to you. And my father's loyalty was to Uther, and he knew she would never give him her heart fully, so they tolerated each other. But towards the end, they were fond of each other. But that is all that ever came out of it." I said, remembering my childhood, and how I was more attentive then my parents ever really thought I was.
"I'm sorry if this brought you pain in anyway."
"No don't be. My parent's relationship made me realize at a very young age, some people are just not meant to be. They were wrong for each other and they knew that. It just brings me great joy to find out that once my mother did have a capacity to love another man greatly."
"You are a wise Princess. Your kingdom is quite fortunate to have one such as you.'
"Thank you my Lord. I'm happy that we were able to speak about this."
"I too."
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"What on earth is Merlin wearing?" I leaned in and asked Arthur. I was the first one to sign the peace treaty, and now Bayard and Uther were signing it.
"The official ceremonial robs of the servants of Camelot." He answered smugly with his arms folded and his chest puffed out. He and I both turned to look at him one more time, and it was hard to stifle both our laughter's.
"Those robs are the most ghastly things I have ever seen." I commented, and turned back to the proceedings.
"I just like the hat." Arthur said sarcastically, and both of us had a harder time holding in our growing laughs.
The room was filled with applause as Uther finished signing and him and Bayard grasped arms again. Arthur escorted me to a seat next to his, before Bayard started speaking, "People of Camelot, for a great many years we have been mortal enemies, and the blood of our men stains the ground from the walls of Camelot to the gates of Mercia. And though we remember those who have died, we must not allow any more to join them." A serving girl brings out a box. "As a symbol of our goodwill, and of our newfound friendship, I present these ceremonial goblets to you, Uther, to your son, Arthur, and to you Princess, in the hope that our friendship may last. Tonight we toast a new beginning for our peoples. We look towards a future free from the toils of war…."
It was around this time that I found it extremely hard to pay attention to Bayard's speech. Though his sentiments were very kind his dialogue was becoming more tiresome than Uther's rants in the council meetings.
"And may the differences from our past remain there. To your health, Uther." Bayard said, and everyone stood to toast. 'Oh thank god!' I thought as I to followed
"Arthur." And Arthur almost drinks, but stops "The Lady Morgana." "Princess Lothrielle." He says with a bow of his head, and I do the same. "The people of Camelot."
"And to fallen warriors on both sides." Uther says, now letting everyone drink.
"Stop!" Merlin screams as he runs in to the hall, "It's poisoned! Don't drink it!" Merlin runs up to Arthur and takes his goblet.
"What?" Uther asks angrily, obviously not happy to have been interrupted.
"Merlin, what are you doing?" Arthur asked annoyingly.
"Bayard laced Arthur's goblet with poison." Merlin answers and looks at Bayard accusingly.
"This is an outrage!" Bayard yells and draws his sword, causing everyone in the room to do the same, and the guards rushing in. My knights to give them credit were already by my side faster than anything.
"Order your men to put down their swords." Uther commanded. "You are outnumbered."
"I will not allow this insult to go unchallenged!" Bayard replied.
"On what grounds do you base this accusation?" Uther asks Merlin
"I'll handle this." Arthur says and steps out from behind the table. "Merlin, you idiot. Have we been at the sloe gin again?" And grabs Merlin and takes the goblet from him.
"Unless you want to be strung up, you will tell me why you think why you think it's poisoned now." Uther threatened.
"He was seen lacing it."
"By whom?"
"I can't say."
"For the love of all that is good Merlin…" I start, before Bayard spoke again.
"I won't listen to this anymore."
"Pass me the goblet." Uther commands, and Arthur does so. "If you're telling the truth..." Uther suggests to Bayard.
"I am."
"Then you have nothing to fear, do you?" Uther says and holds the goblet to Bayard. And not letting it go unchallenged Bayard sheathes his sword and reaches for the goblet.
"No. If this does prove to be poisoned, I want the pleasure of killing you myself." Uther says causing Bayard to snort, and turns to Merlin and hands the goblet to him. "He'll drink it."
"But if it is poisoned, he'll die!" Arthur said in fear.
"Then we'll know he was telling the truth." Uther replies with eyes burning with rage.
"And you condemn him to death!" I said with just as much fear if not more.
"Then he would die knowing he saved the Prince."
"He's already saved the Prince, don't you remember! You assigned him as Arthur's servant for doing just that!" I yell back at him.
"And what if he lives?" Bayard asks, before Uther can retaliate.
"Then you have my apologies, and you can do with him as you will." Uther replies.
"Uther, please! He's just a boy! He doesn't know what he's saying!" Gaius pleads.
"Then you should've schooled him better." Uther says back in anger.
"Merlin, apologize. This is a mistake. I'll drink it." Arthur says and reaches for the cup, but is stopped.
"No, no, no, no, no. It's, it's alright." Merlin says and steps away. He steps forward and toasts to Bayard and Arthur, and then drinks the whole thing in one swallow. "It's fine." He says seconds after he finished. Causing us all to sigh in relief, but the worry was still not over.
"He's all yours." Uther says and sits down.
Just as Bayard takes his sword out again, Merlin starts to choke stopping Bayard from moving, and Uther to sit up again.
"Merlin?" I say cautiously as he struggles for air. "Merlin!" I yell again and rush forward. "Merlin stay with us!" I try to command and I touch his face with both hands. I could already feel is temperature rising; he gasps for air struggling to breath. I could feel his strength leaving him, "Merlin!" I say again as he falls to the floor unconscious with me going down with him, and Arthur rushing to my side.
"It's poisoned. Guards seize him!" Uther Commands.
"Gaius!" I scream for him, as a fumble around for the cup; Gaius and Gwen already next to me.
"Merlin. Can you hear me?" Gaius asks.
I look in to the cup and smell it, "Gaius I can't smell anything!"
"We have to get him back to my chambers." He says in reply, "Bring the goblet. I need to identify the poison." Arthur picks Merlin up and the four of us rush out of the hall.
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"Lay him on the bed quickly; he's struggling to breathe. Gwen, fetch me some water and a towel." Gaius commands as we run into his chamber
"Is he going to be alright?" Arthur as worriedly, as he places him on the bed.
"The poison is working fast, He's burning up." I said. His head already hotter than it was in the hall.
"You can cure him, can't you Gaius?" Gwen asks and hands over the towel and water.
"I won't know until I can identify the poison. Pass me the goblet." He replies, takes the cup from me after placing the towel on Merlin's forehead, and stands back up to examine the cup closer. "Ah. There's something stuck on the inside."
"What is it?" Arthur asks
"It looks like a flower petal of some kind." He replies. "Lothrielle?" He asks and I move to examine the petal as well.
"It looks familiar…" I say as I look at the petal "I've seen this before in one of your books."
"His brow's on fire." Gwen says as she tends to Merlin.
"Keep him cool; it'll help control his fever." Gaius replies back, and we move to the table where a book of poisonous plants lies underneath a stack of papers and other objects.
I grab the book and start flipping thru the pages, "Here!" I say and hand the book to Gaius.
"Ah. The petal comes from the Mortaeus flower. It says here that someone poisoned by the Mortaeus can only be saved by a potion made from the leaf of the very same flower." Gaius turns the page, and Arthur looks over his shoulder. "It can only be found in the caves deep beneath the Forest of Balor. The flower grows on the roots of the Mortaeus tree.
"That's not particularly friendly." Arthur says and points to the monster lizard drawn on the other page.
"A Cockatrice. It guards the forest. Its venom is potent. A single drop would mean certain death. Few who have crossed the Mountains of Isgaard in search of the Mortaeus flower have made it back alive." Gaius reads from the book, and I watch as Arthur turns away and paces the room.
"Sounds like fun." Arthur replies back, after pondering it.
"Arthur, it's too dangerous." Gaius says.
"If I don't get the antidote, what happens to Merlin?"
Before Gaius could answer, I speak up, "The Mortaeus induces a slow and painful death. He may hold out for four, maybe five days, but not for much longer. Eventually he will die."
Both Gaius and Arthur turn to look at Merlin, shaking in sweat. But I watch Arthur, seeing the conflict he was having on his face, before he nods and walks out, with determination.
"Gwen, my dear." Gaius speaks up, "You should go and attend to the Lady Morgana."
"Oh yes I forgot." She spoke up but hesitated to leave.
"It's alright he will go unattended, I promise." I say to her.
"Yes milady." She says with a curtsey and she to leaves.
"Gaius, you and I both know that Uther will not let Arthur leave this castle." I said.
"Yes I know, Lothrielle." He confirms.
"Then I need to heal him. Please let me do it." I plead.
"Milady no! There are already two other people who know the only way for him to be healed is by getting this antidote."
"Gaius, we need to do this, I need to do this, if it saves Merlin's life then please."
"I'm sorry milady, but we can't risk it."
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I waited in the shadows of the stables, having already changed from my gown I was wearing earlier to a simple long floor length white tunic and a black and white rob that trained a foot behind me.
"I knew you would come." I said calmly as Arthur approached his horse, that was already saddled.
"Lothrielle what are you doing here?" He asked surprised of my coming.
"I came to wish you luck."
"How did you know?" He asked.
"Because Arthur, you are a good man. One who sees and understands that the worth of every soul is great and I knew Uther was never going to let you leave with his permission. So it makes me happy to see that you are willing to disobey him to do what you think is right."
"Thank you." He said.
"Promise me you'll hurry back and be safe. I know the book said four to five days, but with a poison like this, it's always safer to treat it sooner rather than later."
"I will I promise.
"I love you cousin." I say and pull him into a hug.
"I love you too."
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It was a long night and I wasn't able to sleep at all. I was worried over Merlin, Arthur, and also Bayard. He, his knights, and servants were all crammed into the dungeons. So I got up and put my rob I was wearing earlier when I said goodbye to Arthur back on and made my way down to the dungeons.
I approached the cells and the guards quickly assumed an attentive position. "I wish to look upon the man who almost killed my cousin the Prince." I say in a strong commanding voice, as both guards nod to each other and open the door, to a room full of cells.
"Bayard?" I call out.
"Princess? What are you doing here?" The man asks all the way in the back cell and hurried up to the bars, and all the knights and servants watched as I passed them.
"I came to see how you fair." I said as I approached him.
"You have to believe me, Princess I never tried to poison the Prince. I don't know how that happened all I ever wanted was peace." He pleaded to me. There was a look in his eyes and that of everyone's eyes of desperate truth.
"I believe you Bayard. I do." I said as I really looked into his eyes.
"You do?" He asked with shock.
"I don't think any man who is in love with my mother and she with him can ever be capable of killing someone like this. I believe you are innocent."
"Thank you Princess, for believing."
"I would hope that if something like this ever happened to me that someone else would extend the same honor."
"I'm sure, milady, that with your generous spirit, that something like this would never happen to you."
I nod to him and then reach out my hand for his, "I will figure out a way to get you all out. I promise. I will prove your innocence." I said and look at every face in the cells. Out of all the women and knights, I see a little boy, probably not nine years shivering in the cold of the night air. Probably one of the knights squires. I move towards him and motion for him to come closer as I take off my warm rob. "Take this." I said and wrap Him up in it thru the bars. "Can you do me a favor?" I ask him, and he nods. "Can you show your king and knights how brave you can be? I think they need to see the bravery of a child."
"Yes Milady." He says with a sweet voice.
"Good." I finished and move from the bars, "I will help you in any way I can."
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"He's getting hotter." Gwen said with dread, as she, Gaius and I have tended to Merlin all night and morning.
"Him. Liffrea, wuldres wealdend, woroldare forgeaf." Merlin started muttering, causing Gaius and I to look at each other with worry.
"What language is that?" Gwen asks.
"None. The fever's taken hold. None of those words are his own. His pulse is weaker." Gaius says and finds a large circular rash on his arm.
"What is it?" I ask.
"That can't be right. The rash is not supposed to appear until the final stage."
"What does that mean?" Gwen asks as, and Gaius checks his book with a magnifying glass.
"It says here that "once a rash appears, death will follow within two days." He answered reading from the book.
"You said he had four days." Gwen says.
" Unless an enchantment was used to increase the flower's potency." I answer remembering it from the text.
"An enchantment? But Bayard's no sorcerer." Gwen says again.
"No, he isn't." Gaius agrees.
"Then who did this?"
"It can't have been. She wouldn't dare come here. Unless..." Gaius mutters outloud.
"Unless what Gaius?" I ask.
"What happened to that girl?
"Which girl?" Gwen asks.
"Just before Merlin burst into the hall one of Bayard's serving girls took him outside."
"She had dark hair. Very beautiful." Gwen commented dryly.
"Find her. Quickly." Gaius commands Gwen, and she runs out and to the dungeons.
"Arthur... swa..." Merlin utters somemore.
"Gaius who is that girl?" I ask, but before he could answer, a knock sounded at the door and a guard calls, "Princess the king has summoned you."
"You better go." He says.
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The room was filled with palpable anger as Uther paced back and forth. "I expressly ordered Arthur not to go!"
"I'd say it worked like a charm, too." Morgana commented sarcastically.
"Not another word!"
"My lips are sealed." She replied back with a scoff and a sadistic smile.
"I should've put him under lock and key."
"You can't chain him up every time he disagrees with you." Morgana says again. I stood there in complete silence. I was done talking and trying to reason with the king long ago and had nothing else further to say.
"Just you watch me! I will not be disobeyed!" He said and looked at me daring me to say something, "Especially by my own son!"
"No. Of course you won't." Morgana replies and I just smile, trying not to laugh at how easy Morgana was infuriating Uther.
"You both knew about this, didn't you? Don't lie to me." Uther said as he approached me, and I stood my ground with a defiant face.
"Arthur's old enough to make decisions for himself." I replied.
"He's just a boy."
"Have you seen your son recently? You have to let him make his own mind up."
"Even if it means letting him go to his death?" He asked and left without a reply.
"He is the most courageous man I know. He will not die." I say again.
"You do not know that!"
"You don't know that he won't either. But I have faith in his abilities."
"Faith will not fill any empty throne when I am dead."
"But a man who is willing to risk his life for a servant will! Especially when that servant became a servant by saving his master in the first place. Or do you forget that's how he was appointed that position? By you no less!" I reminded him again.
"Ugh!" He scoffed and walked out of the room leaving me with Morgana.
"Alright what part did you play in Arthur going?" Iasked Morgana.
"Oh I simply just told him what type of king I would like to see sit on the throne, like you just did. What about you, what part was yours?" She asked back.
"I handed over the reins of his horse." I said with a sweet smile and a wink, before I too left.
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I walk back into Gaius's chambers and notice that Gwen is not back yet, "Alright Gaius, I don't care what you say I'm healing him!" I say as I grab the bucket of water.
"Princess no! We can't."
"Yes we can! Now watch me." I say and place my hand in the water like last time, willing it to be a source of healing like I was told it was. Power flowed out of me and the water glowed its familiar blue. When it was done I grabbed a cup and rushed to Merlin's side. I slowly pored the water down his throat and waited for the enchantment to break. But instead he started to reject the water and start spitting it back up. "Gaius, what is happening?"
"It seems that whoever put the enchantment on the poison also meant for him not to be able to be healed by naiads magic."
"What do you mean? How can someone be able to preemptively stop a naiad from using their magic unless…"
"Someone already knew the magic that you contain…" Gaius finishes for me. Before Gwen runs back in, "Let me guess, she wasn't there."
"No one has seen her since the banquet. Who is she?" Gwen asks.
"Not who she claims to be." He answers.
"But you know, don't you?" I ask.
"Cara. Though, that's not her name. Not her real name, anyway."
"Then who is she?"
"A powerful sorceress."
"Well, we should tell Uther. Maybe he could send riders out after her." Gwen suggests.
"No, she'll be long gone. It's impossible to know where, though. Oh, no." Gaius finishes with a worried look on his face, as he came to realization that we haven't yet.
"What?" I ask.
"She knows the only place an antidote can be found is the Forest of Balor. Arthur could be walking into a trap."
"No he is undoubtedly walking into a trap." I say with assurance.
"Arthur. Arthur." Merlin painfully utters in his sleep.
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"Arthur, it...it's a trap. It's a trap." Merlin says in his sleep based hysteria.
"His fever's getting worse, isn't it?" Gwen asks.
"The poison's setting in." Gaius answers.
"Eft gewunigen wilgesiþas, þonne wig cume." Merlin starts to chant.
"Sssshhhhh." I say as I pet his wet hair from his sweat.
"Gwen could you fetch me some more Wolfbane?" Gaius asks.
"Yes, of course." She answers and leaves the room.
"Merlin, you must fight it." Gaius says. We sat waiting patiently for something to happen but nothing, at least until, "Arthur." Merlin spoke, "It's too dark. Too dark. Fromum feohgiftum on fæder bearme. Fromum feohgiftum." He chanted and underneath his blanket something starts to glow.
"Gaius!"
"Merlin. He says and folds down the blanket. In Merlin's hands is a glowing ball of light. "What are you doing?"
"Leave them Arthur." Merlin says, "Go. Save yourself. Follow the light. Faster. Go faster. Follow the light! Move. Climb." Merlin says and moves back and forth, until the light in his hand dies, and he lays perfectly still.
"What just happened Gaius?" I ask in stunned.
"I have no idea."
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"He hasn't got much longer. Has Arthur got the flower?" Gaius asked after hearing that Arthur was back but, was imprisoned for disobeying the king.
"I don't know. Uther won't allow anyone to see him." Gwen answers, "Is there nothing we can do to help?"
"Only the leaf of the Mortaeus flower can save him." He answered back.
"And we have to find out if Arthur has it. I could sneak into the dungeon." Gwen suggests.
"That's too dangerous I can go!" I suggest.
"No! The guards are under strict rules to not let you or Morgana anywhere near the cells." Gwen says."I've got to. Merlin will die if I don't."
"Be careful." I say to Gwen as she runs out of the chambers.
It was longer then it should've been for Gwen to come back. But when she did it was a welcomed sight. "How is he?" She asks panting.
"Have you got the Mortaeus?" Gaius asks.
"Here."
"His breathing's much worse. We have to hurry." Gwen sits with me and Gaius begins crushing the flower and working it into the antidote, but stops and turns to us.
"Why have you stopped?" Gwen asks.
"The poison was created using magic. We may need magic to make an antidote." He replies.
"But we can't. It's forbidden. Even if we could." Gwen says.
"I'll try and make it work without it. Oh, I need some fresh water." He says and hands her a bowl and she runs off.
"I'll do it." I said and take the bowl from him, "Sythan arrest wearth feasceaft funden. Denum æfter dome. Dreamleas gebad he gewinnes longsum." I recite, feeling the power come out of me and my eyes turning blue. The potion sizzles and foams for a moment, and Gwen runs back in and hands Gaius the bowl of water before rushing back to Merlin's side.
"Thank you." He says, and I hand him back the bowl, and he pours the potion into a cup.
"Hold his nose." He commands Gwen, and starts to pore the potion down his throat. "Swallow, Merlin. Swallow it."
We waited for something to happen, but nothing. "He's stopped breathing. What's happening? Gaius?" I asked and he puts his head to Merlin's chest.
"His heart has stopped." He replied.
"He's dead?"
"He can't be. He can't be. It was his destiny." He says and stands up. I lost my composure and started crying.
"It's my fault. If I'd have got here sooner. If I'd have been quicker." Gwen said and I rush to hold her in my arms, but she falls into Gaius's instead.
"No, no. It was me. I should've looked after him better. It's my fault." He replied and strokes her back.
"That's disgusting. You should be ashamed of yourself. You're old enough to be her grandfather." Merlin jokes as he struggles to get up.
"Merlin. You're alive." I yell and hug him tightly.
"No. I'm the ghost come back to haunt you." He says and I pull back from my hug and Gwen grabs his face and kisses him, causing him to blush a deep red against his pale skin.
"Sorry, I'm just...I thought you were dead." She says after realizing what she just did.
"It's fine. It's more than fine. I never have received so much female attention...erm...what happened? The last thing I remember is drinking the wine."
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
After Merlin was better, Gaius went to talk to Uther, and I went back to my chambers, to change and wash myself. It was two days since the feast and I was tired and dirty. After making sure I was done, Mena helped me into a strapless white dress with blue floral designs on it, and a grey draped see thru floor length shawl with hand holes. When I was done I made my way down to the courtyard, where Bayard and his men where finally released and getting ready to leave. With Mena behind me I descended the stairs.
"Lord Bayard." I call and approach him.
"Princess!" He calls back with a smile and meets me. "Thank you for whatever you did."
"I didn't do anything." I admit. Which was true I was a hand of the fates this time.
"Somehow I find that hard to believe, Milady. But make no mistake; I will remember you for this always." He said and bowed to me as I curtsied to him, and stood there watching as he and his men left the citadel.
"You know milady, maybe we should stay…" Mena suggested. Remembering that it was tomorrow that we were going to leave.
"And what makes you think that?" I ask.
"Well what would Merlin or Arthur do without you, if you're not here?"
I shake my head slowly, "They will have to make do own their own. Merlin and you are so convinced that it is my destiny to part of their journey step by step, but I believe I have my own road to travel, and I must follow it."
"Are you sure Milady? Sometimes being alone does more harm than good."
I turn and smile at her, "But I'm never alone. Even if I don't have the ones I love near me, they are still with me. Do you not agree?"
"Of course I do, Milady."
We both smile accepting that this was how it will be, "Tell the knights to prepare to leave tomorrow, and have the servants pack our things."
"Yes Milady."
Mena leaves me and I make my way to the battlements to watch Bayard's men leave, Morgana walking past me with a nod and a smile on her face. As I approach, Uther is there with Arthur speaking.
"Those who practice magic know only evil." Uther says and stops me in my tracks. "They despise and seek to destroy goodness wherever they find it. Which is why she wanted you dead. She is evil."
"Sounds as if you know her." Arthur suggests.
"I do." Uther replies. It seemed like he was going to divulge a deep dark secret. "To know the heart of one sorcerer is to know them all." He stops and stares out over the retreating troops, "You did the right thing. Even though you were disobeying me. I'm proud of you, Arthur. Never forget that." He says and grabs Arthur's shoulder, before turning towards me, and walks past me. I curtsey to him out of respect as he walks by.
"Your father can be so right, but oh so wrong at the same time." I say as I approach and stand right next to Arthur. My hair and grey shawl blowing in the wind behind me.
"What do you mean?"
"Not everyone with magic is evil, Arthur. Magic is a tool just like your sword. It's about the person who wields the tool that is evil."
"But magic can corrupt you, a sword can't do that." He points out.
"But the power a sword gives you in the results of using it can corrupt you as well. And I refuse to believe that you are evil Arthur." Arthur didn't reply to what I said, and it made me nervous, "Just think about what I said Arthur. You are a just and honorable man, you can see the reason and purpose that your father can't. Which is why you will be the greatest king Albion will ever know."
"How do you know this? Any of this?"
"Some things are just obvious." I say with a smile.
"Obvious?" He says and laughs, and remains silent as we look out over the departing knights.
"Thank you for keeping your promise." I say; breaking the silence.
Arthur smiles and nods his head, "I can't very much leave my little cousin to fend for herself, can I?" He jokes, and makes me laugh.
"No, I won't allow it. My life is much easier when you're the one that has to worry about it."
"Weird I feel like my life is easier when you're the one worrying about it."
"I guess we better not let anything happen to each other then." I suggest.
"That would be easier if you weren't leaving to go back home tomorrow." He says and then turns to look at me. I just continue to stare ahead not wanting to betray my emotions. "Unless you have reconsidered leaving."
"I haven't. I'm sorry Arthur. But I need to return home. There are important things that I need to see too. But like I said before I will be back for your coronation as the crowned prince. I promise."
"I'll hold you to that promise baby cousin."
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Riding away the next day was emotionally hard. Arthur didn't want me to but knew why I was leaving, and Merlin was especially tough to say goodbye too. The night before he gave me a few things to work on while I was gone, and I was determined that when I returned I was going to be a master of my own magic. I sat on my horse, on top of the hill overlooking the great and spacious towers and walls of the city and felt bound to them. I was not the same person that looked at this same sight months back that was shaking in her dress and skirts; I sat now looking at the horizon, and understanding that this is where peace and tolerance was going to be born again. This was the future of Albion, and I was anxious to return back and be part of it.
"Milady, it's time to go." Mena said behind me.
I turned and saw my loyal knights and lady in waiting smiling at me, and waiting for my order. "Then let's go!" I command as I spurred Triton away from them, my blue robs and dresses flying and sparking in the wind and sun. The pound of hooves and laughter behind me as we raced away from Camelot and back to Leonesse.
