Chapter 4

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Lord Bayard of Mercia arrived in the Kingdom today. A treaty was to be signed between Camelot and Mercia to end a war. Of course Merlin and I as servants of the Prince Arthur were on duty. The mood was light and cheerful, and I wasn't complaining for once. Merlin and I were carrying some bags to Bayard's chambers.

"Why do I always get landed with the donkey work?" I heard Merlin asked behind me. I turned around to see that he was talking to our uncle Gaius.

I cleared my throat. "Have you forgotten me, already?" I teased my brother. I put the bag on the ground for a moment.

"You're a servant, Merlin. It's what you do, both of you." Gaius replied.

"I wasn't complaining." I countered.

"Well, I am. My arms will be a foot longer by the time I get this lot inside." Merlin kept complaining.

"It's character building. As the old proverb says, hard work breeds..." Our Uncle trailed off. Merlin and I glanced at each other waiting for him to finish. "a harder soul."

"Really?" I smiled knowingly.

"There is no way that's a proverb. You just made that up." Merlin told him incredulously.

"No, I didn't." Gaius replied offended. A maidservant fell right in front of Merlin. How convenient! I thought.

"Sorry." She apologised.

"It's alright." Merlin assured her.

"Excuse me." She continued.

"Let me give you a hand with that." Merlin crouched down. She looked Merlin right in the eye. She stared longingly at him and I rolled my eyes at that. How stupid and cliché! I thought again. I don't know why but everything in that girl annoyed me. They stood up together and Merlin gave her a dazzling smile. He offered her his hand to shake. "Hi. I'm Merlin."

"Cara." She shook his hand. "You're Arthur's servant. That must be such an honour."

"Oh, yeah. It is." Merlin replied "Well, you know, someone's got to keep the place running."

"Thank you, Merlin." She said and looked down at the pillow that was still in Merlin's hand. My brother got the hint.

"Oh, right. Yeah. Er, no problem." Merlin excused profusely before putting the pillow in her hands.

"It was nice meeting you." She said before leaving. Merlin followed her with his eyes. I narrowed my eyes at Merlin this time. I couldn't but dislike this young maid.

"Shouldn't you be busy running the place?" Gaius joked.

After dropping the bags where they should be and after a quick stop at the kitchen of the castle. I went to Arthur's chambers where Merlin was already. Merlin was doing his bed and I went to pick out the Prince's clothes for the banquet. I pulled his clothes for the feast out of the wardrobe. They were dusty and smelly. I sneezed.

"When's the last time these were cleaned?" I questioned.

"Last year some time. Before the Feast of Beltane." He replied as I shook the dust off of his red vest.

"Did it end in a food fight?" I asked and I walked over to him to help him in the vest.

"Don't all feats?" He replied.

"We wouldn't know." Merlin said coming over. "The airs and graces of the court are a mystery to us."

"Not after tonight, they won't be." Arthur countered examining his vest.

"We're going to the banquet?" Merlin asked grinning.

"Not quite." Arthur took his vest off. "You'll be there to make sure my cup doesn't run dry. If I have to sit through Bayard's boring speeches, I don't see why you should get out of it." He handed me his vest. "Be sure to polish the buttons." I went to the table to polish the buttons. "Do you two want to see what you'll be wearing tonight?" Arthur said from behind the screen.

"Won't this do?" Merlin asked looking down at his clothes. I thought the same, we're servants, I mean we don't need special clothes.

"No, tonight you'll be wearing the official ceremonial robes of the servants of Camelot." Arthur announced showing us two sets of ridiculous clothes.

"There is no way I'm wearing this." I protested. "I'd rather poked my own eyes out."

"That's a little excessive, even for you." Merlin commented glancing down at me.

My dress was deep red with the symbols of Camelot embroidered on it. The under-dress was a dark blue, almost black and I had a cloak over. I wore a hat with red and green feather on it but it wasn't as ridiculous as the one Merlin was wearing. Gwen teased us about our clothes.

Merlin caught a glimpse of Cara again and I gave her the evil eye. I couldn't stand her. Gwen commented on Cara's prettiness. And what Merlin said about Cara kind of hurt Gwen. When everyone applauded after Uther signed the treaty, Gwen walked away from us. I shook my head at my brother's behaviour and cluelessness about Gwen's crush on him. He seemed completely unaware of it. I took the ridiculous hat off my head.

Bayard offered ceremonial goblet to the King and his son. Cara ran to Merlin and told him that she has to talk with him. Merlin left shortly after her. Not trusting and not liking her, I followed them. She led Merlin in one of dark corridors of the castle away from the banquet room. I joined Merlin's side. She seemed to hesitate at telling her story with me here but Merlin encouraged her saying that I could be trusting. She explained how she saw Bayard put something in Arthur's goblet because the King craved the kingdom and not peace. She played the card of "if I tell you, he'll kill me." Merlin asked her if it was poison, once again she couldn't tell. Merlin asked if it was poison and she nodded. Merlin ran backs to the hall of ceremonies and I ran right after him.

"Merlin!" I called after him. "Merlin, are you sure she's telling the truth?"

"She couldn't lie about this." Merlin assured me as he slowed down. "Have you seen how afraid she was?"

"She was acting." I countered. "She wasn't afraid, she was just acting." Merlin shook his head.

"Maybe but if we don't do anything, Arthur might die." Merlin said vehemently.

"But if the chalice is not poisoned, you might be the one to lose your head." I replied.

"Then so be it." Merlin said as he ran in the hall. "Stop!" Merlin yelled. "It's poisoned! Don't drink it!" Merlin ran to Arthur and took his goblet from him.

"What?" I joined Merlin in the middle of the room.

"Merlin, what are you doing?" Arthur asked annoyed.

"Bayard's laced Arthur's goblet with poison." Merlin accused.

"This is an outrage!" Bayard said offended and unsheathed his swords as did the knights of Camelot.

"No!" I gasped placing myself between Bayard and Merlin.

"Order your men to put down their swords." Uther asked of Bayard. More guards rushed in. "You are outnumbered."

"I will not allow this insult to go unchallenged." Bayard warned Uther.

"On what grounds do you base this accusation?" Uther asked Merlin.

"I'll handle this." Arthur said to his father. "Merlin, you idiot. Have we been at the slow gin again?" Arthur led Merlin to the table and took his goblet from my brother.

"Unless you want to be strung up, you will tell me why you think it's poisoned now." Uther ordered to Merlin.

"My lord, I'm sorry for my brother's behaviour. And as much as I dislike it, he might be right about this threat." I tried diplomacy on the King maybe he will listen after this.

"I still want to know why he thinks it's poisoned." Uther growled.

"He was seen lacing it." Merlin replied immediately.

"By whom?" Uther questioned.

"I can't say." Merlin answered. Arthur turned to me.

"Emma?" Merlin gave a pleading look to not reveal the identity of Cara.

"I'm sorry, my lord." I replied regretting immediately not giving her identity to the King and the Prince.

"Pass me the goblet." Uther ordered to his son. Arthur gave him the goblet. Uther took it and walked to Bayard. "If you're telling the truth…"

"I am." Bayard said.

"Then you have nothing to fear, do you?" Uther challenged him. Bayar sheathed his swords and reached for the goblet. "No. If this does prove to be poisoned, I want the pleasure of killing you myself." Bayard snorted. Uther turned around and handed the goblet to Merlin. "He'll drink it."

"But if it is poisoned, he'll die." Arthur protested.

"Then we'll know he was telling the truth." Uther replied.

"And what if he lives?" Bayard asked

"Then you have my apologies, and you can do with him as you will." Uther offered.

"Your highness, please. My brother is just a foolish boy." I said my voice pleading.

"Uther, please. His sister is right, he doesn't know what he's saying!" Gaius agreed with me.

"Then you should've schooled him better." Uther countered.

"Merlin, apologise. This is a mistake. I'll drink it." Arthur reached the goblet. Merlin put the goblet away from him.

"No, no, no, no, no. It's, it's alright." Merlin assured him.

"Merlin, please don't." I said with fear in my voice and my eyes welling. He toasted to Bayard and Uther, and then drank it. We all waited in anxiety.

"It's fine." Merlin stated softly.

"He's all yours." Uther said to Bayard and let out the breath I was holding. Merlin started to choke. He held his throat and fell to the ground.

"Merlin!" I called as I rushed to his side. Arthur crouched over to him on his other side. I held his face in my hand and let the tears fell.

All I could think about was I should have been the one to drink this goblet, I should have believed him. Arthur pulled Merlin off the ground and carried him to Gaius' chambers. Crying won't help Merlin get better. I got up and wiped my tears away as I followed them there. Merlin couldn't die, he won't die. I won't let that happen, if there is a cure I would find it. Gwen squeezed my hand in reassurance.

I grabbed a bucket of water and brought it next to Merlin's side. I put a fresh cloth on his forehead to cool the fever. Gaius found something in the goblet. I left Merlin's side after kissing his hand. Gwen took my place to Merlin's side and tended to him while I walked to Gaius to see what he found. I smiled thankfully to the young maid. Whatever I had to do, I'll do it. If it means saving Merlin's life, I will. I'm doing this not only because he's my brother, I'm doing this because he's important to Camelot, to Arthur more than I'll ever be. He needs to be saved.

"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." Gauis read out from his book. "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 said pointing to the picture of some lizard creature.

"A cockatrice. It guards the forest. Its venom is potent." Gaius explained. "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."

"I will." I said to my Uncle. "I will make it back alive."

"Nellie, this is too dangerous." Gaius protested.

"She won't be going." Arthur said.

"Arthur, he's my brother, I have to do something." I countered.

"That's why you're staying by his side, he'll need you." Arthur retorted. "If I don't get the antidote, Gaius, what happens to Merlin?" Arthur asked to my Uncle.

"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." Gaius answered.

Gwen left the room after Arthur did. The Prince was going to ask his father for permission to go look for the cure. Uther won't allow this, I know it. Arthur is his only heir and son, I understand that. Merlin is my only brother and I will go get this flower. I went into my bedchamber and changed into more comfortable clothes. When I work at the castle, I always wore dresses. Even back in Ealdor, I always wore dresses. When I arrived in Camelot and I befriended with Gwen, she advised that I should have a set of clothes for the long trips. Actually, a set of clothes that I should be wearing if I'm going on hunting trips with the Prince. Gwen made me this set of clothes and today I'm thanking her for it. So, I changed into the brown trousers she made me, the dark purple long-sleeved shirt. I put my belt over my dark purple shirt, in which I sheathed my dagger. I put my boots and warm coat on and left the chambers.

"Nellie." Gaius called me softly.

"Gaius, I can't just stay here and watch my brother die. I'm sorry." I said before he could say anything to stop and reached for the door.

"Don't forget this!" Gaius said and handed me a bag. "I can't have you starving, now can I?" He smiled. I hugged him tight and thanked him.

"I promise to be back." I whispered to him. Gwen came back at this moment.

"Gwen, I leave Merlin in your good hands." I said to her. "Please look after him when I'm gone."

It was dark outside when I left the chambers. I ducked behind a wall when I heard the guards coming my way. But none of them seemed to notice me. I went to the stables looking for a horse and I came across Arthur.

"Emma, what are you doing here?" Arthur asked me pulling me into one of the boxes.

"Take a horse and then riding to the Forest of Balor." I replied to him. "You?" I ripped my arm from his grasp.

"I thought I told you to stay with Merlin." He replied ignoring my question.

"And let you have all the fun?" I retorted. "Whether you like it or not, I'm going, Sire." We heard footsteps coming our way. Arthur pulled me further in the stables and signalled me to be quiet. When it was silent again and we were sure that they walked away, I spoke again. "Why are you avoiding the guards of Camelot, my Lord?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Get on the horse, Emma." Arthur ordered me.

"You disobey your father for Merlin?" I asked Arthur while we were riding in the hills. "Why?"

"He saved my life. I just couldn't stand by and watch him die." He replied barely sparing me a glance.

"Thank you, Arthur." I smiled to him. "We're going to get into trouble, aren't we?" I chuckled.

"Let's find the flower first. We'll worry about this later." Arthur said.

"There it is, the Forest of Balor." I announced as I saw the forest before us. We galloped to the woods.

Midway through the forest, we got down and led the horses through the forest. As we walked in silence, my mind drifted back to Camelot. I hoped that we'll be able to bring the flower in time. I hoped Merlin wasn't in too much pain. I stopped when I saw a young girl sobbing. She was sitting in on a fallen log. Arthur and I exchanged a look. We tied our horses to a tree near by. Arthur walked to her and I followed behind. I didn't recognise her immediately as her back was turned to us. Arthur crouched down in front of her.

"You!" I spat as soon as I recognised her. She looked at me as if she didn't recognise me. It was Cara, the very same girl who told Merlin about the poisoned Chalice. There was a roar behind us. Cara gasped and Arthur and I turned around to face whatever was behind us. It was the cockatrice.

"Stay back!" Ordered Arthur. He pushed me behind me with his arm. He unsheathed his sword and moved forward. He walked closer to the beast. Arthur used his sword to push the cockatrice away from him. The beast lunged at Arthur, Arthur rolled under it as it jumped. Arthur twirled his sword in the air and then he threw at the cockatrice, killing it. Arthur walked back to us.

"Are you alright?" I asked him and he nodded yes.

"It's alright." He said to the girl in my back. "I'm not going to hurt you." I stopped Arthur from moving closer to her. "Emma, what are you doing?"

"She's the one who told Merlin about the poisoned Chalice." I said to Arthur as I glared to the girl.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Yes, I was there when she told him." I lowered my voice so Arthur was the only one to hear me. "We shouldn't trust her." We stared in each other's eyes for a few seconds. Arthur pulled me away for a moment.

"Why is that?"

"She's supposed to be one of Bayard's servants but Lord Bayard and all of his servants were made prisoners before we left Camelot." I explained. "How can she be here before we arrived?"

"What am I to do, then?" He asked me.

"We leave her there and we go find the flower, simple." I replied a bit too loudly.

"Are you referring to the Mortaeus Flower?" Cara asked smiling.

"Yes." Arthur answered. I glared at him, so much for asking for advises.

"I know where they are, I'll show you." She said walking ahead of us. I glared heatedly at Arthur. I shook my head pursing my lips.

"We don't have a choice, Emma. We need this flower." Arthur whispered. I agree we need it but that doesn't mean that I have to trust her. I really dislike her.

We followed her in the cave; we lit torches at the entrance. I still don't think that she can be trusted. I have this strange feeling that she was leading us straight to a trap.

"Arthur, Nellie, it's a trap." I heard someone said. I stopped. I looked behind me expecting to see someone or to hear it again. Nothing, maybe it was a just a trick of my mind. I fell back in steps behind Arthur. We walked for hours. Cara led us through another dark tunnel and stopped. There was a gap and on the other side on a wall we could see the Mortaeus flower. Arthur asked her to stay away from the edge as I was already ahead of him. The steep rock cracked under our weights. Behind Cara started to cast a spell.

Arthur told her to stop and I did something you might judge as reckless. I do think that it was incredibly reckless. Without waiting for the steep to collapse under our weight, I jumped to the narrow ledge on the other side of the gap. I was able to catch myself on the ledge and my feet were hanging in the air. Arthur landed next to me and I heard the rocks falling down the gap. A spider joined our little party. Arthur and I moved together to get away from the spider. Arthur stopped and unsheathed his sword to kill the spider; he was now dangling from the ledge. As the spider lunged forward to attack Arthur, the Prince swung his swords at the creature and killed the spider. It didn't surprise me that innocent Cara was a sorceress. I knew she was evil when I saw her for the first time. All I wanted to do was to poke her eyes out with my nails. Arthur and I were trying to climb up the ledge but it seemed to be an impossible mission. Suddenly, a blue ball of light appeared in the darkness of the cave.

"Come on, then!" Arthur tempted the source of magic. "What are you waiting for?! Finish me off." Arthur hissed himself up the ledge as if this light as bring some strength in its wake. Arthur then grabbed my arm and hoisted me up. Dumbledore was right sometime all you have to do is to turn the light on.

"I don't think the light are the doing of this girl, Arthur." I said to him.

I clung to his hand as the light moved above our head. From our position we saw the flowers. Arthur let go of my hands and made me take the lead. I climbed the cliff slowly to the flowers. When I reached its position, I extended my hand to pluck the flowers. I was able to pull one of the flowers and I put it in the little bag on my waist. I grinned victoriously to Arthur. I looked passed Arthur when I saw movements. It was more spiders coming for us.

The light seemed to show us the way. I had good grips on the cliff and the climb was made in a more or less twenty minutes, I would say. The light disappeared above me through a hole. From that hole I was able to see the sky. It was already night. I got out quickly and I was shortly followed by Arthur. The spiders didn't follow us out. Arthur and I rushed to our horses and set off to Camelot.

We arrived in Camelot in the morning. We were both welcomed by the guards upon our arrival.

"What are you doing? Let us pass." Arthur asked them.

"I'm sorry, Sire. You're under arrest, by order of the King." Sir Gregory informed us. The guards led us to the dungeons. Arthur and I were put into two different cells. Uther came later to talk to his son.

"You disobeyed me." Uther yelled at his son. I strained my ear to hear what they're saying. In fact, I didn't have much straining to do because their voices were echoing in the dungeons.

"Of course I did, a man's life was at stake. Do not let Merlin die because of something I did." Arthur replied.

"Why do you care so much? The boy is just a servant." Uther said. It stung to hear that if you're a servant you're not worth saving.

"He knew the danger he was putting himself in, and he knew what would happen if he drank from the Goblet, but he did it anyway." Arthur defended my brother and his actions. "There's more. There was a woman at the mountain. She knew I was there for the flower. I don't think it was Bayard who tried to poison me." I frowned at his statement. If what Arthur said it's true why would she warn Merlin, if her goal was to kill the Prince? Unless…Arthur was not the one she was targeting. She was after Merlin's life, why?

"Of course it was." Uther countered.

"Emma has the flower; Gaius knows what to do with it." I heard Arthur said.

"Your maidservant who supported you in your foolish actions?" Uther spat questioningly.

"Emma, did this to save her brother." Arthur defended. "She tried to stop me. I didn't leave her a choice." That's not how I remember it. "Do not blame her for my actions." It was silent until I heard footsteps coming my way. The guards opened my door and dragged me outside. I was brought to the King who was standing a few feet away.

"Is that the truth?" I exchanged a quick glance with Arthur. I saw in the look that he sent my way that I should followed him in his lie.

"Yes, your Highness. I wanted to go alone but your son insisted. I'm sorry but he ordered me to not say a word." I replied looking him in the eyes. If you want people to think that you're telling the truth; don't avoid their eyes. Always look them in the eye.

"I believe you." Uther said. "But you won't go unpunished as well as your master." He warned me. I took the flower out of my purse and handed him the flower.

"Your highness, I'm sure you understand the love of a sister to her brother. It might not be as strong as your love for your son. But please, I'm begging you; don't let my brother die." I said with tears pricking into my eyes. I might have step over the line but I don't care, my brother is more important than the pride of this stupid King.

"Put me in the stocks for a week, a month even, I don't care. Just make sure it gets to him. I'm begging you." Arthur pleaded in his turn. Uther took the flower and crushed in his hand.

"No!" Arthur and I both yelled at the same time.

"You have to learn there's a right and a wrong way of doing things." He said to his son, then to both of us. "I'll see you're let out in a week." The guards let me back to my cell. The last thing I saw was Uther dropping the flower outside Arthur's cell.

All of this for nothing, Merlin was going to die. How am I going to face our mother? She will hate me for this. Cara won she killed Merlin. And Uther, I certainly never hated someone in my life but I do hate him now. One week in the dungeons was nothing compare to the pain that will come with Merlin's death.

"Emma!" I heard Arthur called. "Emma, Merlin will be alright."

"No, he won't. Haven't you seen what your father did to the flower?" I said my voice quavering. My chest heaved with a sob. "I'm the worst sister in the history. I should have drunk it instead of Merlin."

"Emma, your brother is lucky to have you." Arthur said softly. "Don't worry, Merlin, will be fine."

I heard someone walking down the stairs a few hours later. I stopped crying. The guard opened Arthur's cell. I didn't hear what they were saying. A few more minutes later, I heard plate clattering in the stairs and someone running up the stairs. I don't know what the commotion was about and I didn't have the strength in me to care. All I could do was clinging to the hope that, Arthur's right. That for once, even in this world where magic is forbidden, miracles exist.

Uther released us earlier than he was supposed to. We were out in the afternoon; I went back to Gaius' chambers to see Merlin. He was still weak from the poison. I took him in my arm and hugged him tight. Apologising, over and over again, Merlin chuckled and commented on my smell. I was relieved to say the least and the happiest I could ever be for the time being. I took a bath and put clean clothes on. And I went to fetch some water for Merlin's bath.

"You too. Get some rest." I heard Arthur said as I made my way back to the chambers with the bucket of water.

"Hello, sire!" I smiled shyly at Arthur.

"Emma, as I said to your brother. I expect to see you both tomorrow." Arthur said to me.

"I will be glad to oblige, Sire." I replied rolling my eyes.

"Good, enjoy the rest of your day." Arthur said turning to leave.

"You too; Arthur." I called to him.

"Arthur may give you a hard time, but at heart he's a man of honour." Gaius said truthfully. "There aren't many who'd have risk what he did for a servant."

"The man of honour, indeed." I agreed with Gaius.

"It all would've been for nothing if you didn't know how to make the antidote." Merlin also said truthfully to Gaius.

"That's true, too." I agreed with my brother this time.

"Nellie dear, sit down." Gaius ordered me smiling. I sat across Merlin. He then put a plate of food in front of me. "Now eat. Don't think for one second that I'll forget your part in all of this." He said giving a one sided hug. My eyes welled up with tears.

"It was nothing, really, Gaius." I said stabbing my food. "I'll do anything for my brother."

"I know." He replied smiling.

"It's the first time you ever call him Arthur." Merlin remarked smirking.

"I did it more than once but you wouldn't know since you were out cold." I bite back.

"Ouch!" Merlin chuckled. "I still don't understand why she went to all the trouble of framing Bayard. She could've just kept quiet and kill Arthur." Merlin mused out loud.

"She wasn't after Arthur or Camelot." I replied to him.

"Nellie is right. She knew you would be forced to drink that wine." Gaius continued. "It was you she wanted to kill. Seems someone knows you're destined for great things, Merlin."

"Yeah, and my task just get twice as hard as before." I groaned. "Not only I have to look after Arthur, I have to look after you, too."

"But you've always looked after me."