When Merlin woke up for the second time, he greeted with King Prat's face looking at him. The warlock went to sit up, but as the pain from his wound flared, he placed his arm over his stomach and laid back down.

"You know, for a physician that was really stupid," Arthur stated.

"I'm not a physician yet," Merlin retorted.

"Either way, it was stupid for someone with your knowledge," Arthur said as he sat down in a chair.

"Calling me smart?" Merlin asked.

"Nope," Arthur denied.

"How long have I been out?" Merlin asked.

"A couple of days," Arthur answered, before deciding to get to the reason he was here in the first place. "I've already talked to Mordred and got his side of the story. I need yours."

"Why do you need mine if you already know what happened?" Merlin asked.

"I need to make sure that what Mordred said was true," Arthur stated. "Now start from the beginning."

Merlin shared his version of what happen with the king. When he finished he closed his eyes for a minute. He was able to tell by the way Arthur had been looking at him throughout his explanation, he was not happy about something.

"Why did you lead us to believe that she had kidnapped you?" Arthur asked.

"You wouldn't have listened to me, because you'd be to upset that I went against your orders. You'd put me a in a cell for a few days then listen to what I had to say. By then it would have been too late," Merlin explained. "Morgana is after her as well."

"Does Morgana know that you're Emrys?" Arthur asked.

"I don't think so. If she did she wouldn't be pursuing Finna," Merlin answered.

"Is there a chance that Finna is still alive?" Arthur wondered.

"I don't know," Merlin replied. "Morgana probably found her by now and might be trying to get her to talk."

"Where's the box that she gave you?" Arthur wondered.

"Knowing Gaius, he probably found it in my jacket and has it," Merlin guessed. "If you want to know what's in it, you best wait for Mordred. I feel like he needs to know what's in it as well."

Arthur stood up from his seat. "Get some rest, Merlin. I'll be back later in the evening."


Later that evening, Mordred, Arthur and Gaius sat in Merlin's room, while the great warlock himself, sat propped up in his bed, with an arm over his midsection.

Gaius carefully opened the small box Finna had given Merlin. He pulled out a small piece of sealed paper. The physician then broke the seal, unfolded the paper and looked at the writing.

"What's it say?" Merlin asked.

"Just a minute," Gaius said as he tried to translate the writing.

The two warlocks shared nervous glances with the king, while they waited.

"Let loose the hounds of war. Let the dreadfire of the last priestess rain down from angry skies. For brother will slaughter brother. For friend will murder friend. As the great horn sounds a cold dawn at Camlann. The prophets do not lie. There Arthur will meet a fate, upon that mighty plain," Gaius translated.

Merlin let the back of his head hit the hard cement wall behind him. "So many have suffered, so that we may hear this."

"We'll just have to avoid going to Camlann then," Arthur suggested.

Mordred shook his head. "We can't stop the future. Eventually we'll have to go there and face what is to come. And based on the fact that we've received this prophecy now, it will happen shortly."

Just then the warning bells sounded and loud footsteps could be heard, as they got closer the chambers.

Arthur and Gaius quickly exited Merlin's room to await what was coming.

As Mordred went to follow suit, he noticed, Merlin getting out of the bed. "What are you doing?"

"What's it look like?" Merlin asked in return.

Mordred walked over the older man. "You can't be getting up."

"I need to see what's happening. Once I know, I'll get back in bed," Merlin promised.

Mordred quickly weighed his options, then decided to help Merlin up. "Gaius is not going to be happy."

Merlin placed all his weight on Mordred as they headed to the main room. "He can lecture me tomorrow."

Just as the two exited the Merlin's room, Gwaine, Leon, Percival and another knight were carrying a body into the chambers.

"We got here as quick as we could," Gwaine stated.

"You did well," Gaius replied.

"What's going on?" Merlin asked, making his presence known.

Everyone in the room looked at the injured warlock. His face was covered in a thin sheen of sweat and he looked like he was ready to collapse. They also noticed that Mordred was helping him to stand. The short trip from his bed to the main room had tired him out.

"You should have stayed in bed," Gaius said, studying his ward.

"What's going on?" Merlin repeated.

"We found him just outside the border," Percival answered.

Gaius returned his attention to the fallen knight. "Gwaine, hand me my glasses."

Gwaine did as the physician requested.

Gaius put on the glasses and examined the disfigured face.

"What is it, Gaius?" Arthur asked. "Is it the work of evil magic?"

"I fear so. This form of disfigurement is the result of powerful magic. In the old days it was a punishment known as raigaid, the ultimate warning from the high priestess to her enemies," Gaius explained.

"Why was this knight chosen? What had he done?" Arthur asked.

"He had done nothing, except be a knight of Camelot. It is a warning, Sire. A warning to the whole kingdom. Morgana has declared war," Gaius announced.

Arthur looked at Merlin, who now sitting at in chair, then at Mordred, who was trying to make sure Merlin didn't pass out. Everyone else in the room ceased to existed while they held a silent conversation.

"Damn prophecy," Arthur voiced after the long silence.