Disclaimer: I only own the plot :D


A/N: SO HERE'S CHAPTER EIGHT! Okay, the usual thank yous and all. My grammar might not be flawless in this chapter because I haven't proofread it enough. Do forgive me for that, I just have a lot of things to do.

So please read and review afterwards and enjoy! :D


Chapter Eight: Merlin's Betrayal


Hermione's heart was thudding loudly as they escaped the ruined castle. Her gasps were short and loud and beads of sweat were already forming on her body. Their horses were tied a few meters away from the castle so as not to startle them in case weird, booming sounds were heard.

Fortunately, they got separated from the Knights of Medhir. It was peculiar that huge rocks just started crashing from the ceiling to the ground and therefore blocking them from the invincible knights. She had this feeling magic was involved; she had this feeling it was Merlin who did it.

Her eyes then landed on the young warlock and she could see how he, too, was struggling to run faster. She then noticed the huge gash on his arm and frowned.

"Hold on!" she cried. Both Arthur and Merlin looked at her in surprise, also drawing into a stop. From where they stood, Hermione could already spy the horses. Pointedly, she looked at Merlin and frowned, "You're hurt."

Arthur's eyes also landed on Merlin and he then noticed the injury that he had.

Wordlessly, Hermione bent down and ripped the front material of her dress. The lower part of her legs up until a few inches up her knees were then exposed and she was not able to see how both Merlin and Arthur blushed in embarrassment.

"W-what are you doing?" the Prince asked, a huge scowl now on his face.

Hermione realized how she was making then uncomfortable and she rolled her eyes. "Oh, for goodness' sake," she muttered under her breath. She then proceeded to grab for Merlin's arm and tied the tattered cloth all over his wound to stop its bleeding. "Oh, if only I have Gaius' supplies with me."

"You could have used my neckerchief, you know," Merlin pointed out, clearly joking. Arthur, from beside them, had an amused look on his face. The brunette, on the other hand, looked anything but.

Her glare had reduced him to silence and he looked away. "I wasn't clearly thinking, okay," she snapped, finally tying the knot not-so-gently. Merlin flinched in pain but did not comment about it any further.

Arthur then sighed and ushered them. "Come on," he ordered. "We must go and tell my father."

They ran the remaining distance towards the horses. Now that they were three, Hermione was able to use one of the horses and she galloped behind while Arthur and Merlin went ahead of her.

She could not believe that the Knights of Medhir were actually true. From what she had researched back in Grimmauld Place, they were merely a story of myth. Probably a story that parents could use to their children when they were being disobedient. But then, they fought with them, and it was enough for her to believe the myth. Their invincibility was incredible, yet terrifying. They never faltered by just a mere blow or a slash of a sword.

When they got separated from the knights, Hermione had this feeling that that was not the end of their fight.

A few hours passed and they already entered the borders of Camelot. As soon as they entered, Hermione was immediately struck with the fact that it was eerily silent… too silent. The village outside the castle was normally abuzz with chatters and laughter; children would be running around the streets, mothers would be buying in the village market, and fathers would all be going to work.

"Something doesn't feel right," Merlin claimed. Even Arthur, who normally retorts something to Merlin's words, was quiet as he looked around.

Hermione jerked forward when her horse had slightly tripped. Looking down, she saw a man sprawled messily on the ground. She dismounted her horse and bent down. He was still breathing, but he seemed to be unresponsive. Sleeping, if she had to describe it.

The brunette lifted her head and looked around, her eyes almost bulging out upon seeing that there were quite a lot more of the village people on the ground, seemingly sleeping.

"Arthur," she called out. The Prince and his manservant drew into a stop and looked behind her. She looked down at the slumbering man, prompting the two men to dismount their horses. "The whole village appears to be… unconscious."

Her words had made the Prince jolt upright and prompted him to immediately run inside the castle gates. Merlin offered his hand to help Hermione up. And then, they immediately followed Arthur.

Upon entering, she immediately noticed the guards also fast asleep on the floor. She tried waking them up, but they were still unresponsive.

She lifted her head and saw Arthur bent over one of the Knights of Camelot. Merlin soon jogged beside him and checked the knight.

"They're not dead," the young warlock pointed out, his eyebrows knitting together. "They're breathing."

"I'll get Gaius," Hermione offered, now running towards the castle doors. Once she entered, her eyes roamed around and she stopped, horrified. Some servants were sleeping on the staircases while guards lined a corridor, also slumbering.

The brunette looked outside again, a worried look now on her face. "You have to see this," she called. Both Arthur and Merlin looked at her and immediately walked inside.

"It's like a kind of illness," Merlin said, inspecting one of the guards.

Just then, Arthur's face clouded with alarm. "Where's my father?" he cried. He then dashed off inside, with Merlin and Hermione in tow.

Arthur was relieved that his father was inside, but he turned out to be infected by the same puzzling sickness. "This might be a work of magic," he whispered, turning around to his other companions. He sat down at the foot of his father's bed and stared at the King worriedly. "What must we do?"

"I'll go get Gaius," Merlin volunteered this time, walking out of the room without being dismissed.

"I'll check Lady Morgana's bedchambers, too," Hermione volunteered. Arthur absentmindedly nodded and the brunette left, running as fast as she could towards the room of her mistress.

When she entered, she instantly saw Gwen sprawled on the ground, also fast asleep. "Guinevere," she whispered in worry, placing a hand on her friend's shoulders. She tried to shake her awake, but then again, it did not work.

A noise from inside then caught her attention and she turned around, cautious. There were no signs of Morgana's body anywhere and she panicked, now searching each and every corner of the room. Still, she was unable to see at least an indication that Morgana was inside.

A shifting noise once again reached her ears and she looked around. Her eyes then landed underneath the bed when she saw it momentarily move. Cautiously, she moved towards it and kneeled down. Her hand reached out and then, she lifted it up to look inside. Morgana's fearful face greeted her and the said lady screamed in surprise.

"Lady Morgana!" Hermione claimed, relieved to see her. "It's Hermione."

The lady instantly scrambled out from the bed and launched herself into Hermione's arms, trembling a little.

Arthur and Merlin then burst inside, the former's sword drawn out from its sheath. "We heard a scream," the prince claimed, but then, when his eyes landed on Morgana, his hand fell limply back at his side. "You're all right," he then pointed out. He took a few steps towards her and frantically asked, "Why are you still awake?"

Morgana quivered and stared at him, wide-eyed. "I-I don't know what happened," she exclaimed, confused herself. "They just started fainting one-by-one and I don't even know what's happening!" Her face showed clear distress and she moved back into Hermione's arms. "G-Gwen is right there, beside my table. She fainted a few hours ago and I tried to get Gaius, but I was too afraid that I would pass out, too."

The Prince immediately ran towards the slumbering maidservant. Gingerly, he lifted her into his arms and placed her on top of Morgana's bed.

"But why are you the only one wide-awake in this whole castle?" Arthur demanded, now furiously pacing beside her bed.

Hermione stared at Morgana and knew she was obviously distraught. She wondered what she would have felt if she was the one left inside the castle while everybody around her fell into a magical sleep. The brunette's eyes then landed on Merlin and immediately saw how he peculiarly looked at Morgana.

"Perhaps… Gaius was able to administer a potion to her, making her immune to the enchantment," Merlin slowly reasoned out, his eyes not leaving Morgana. Hermione instantly knew that it was a lie; Morgana did not take any potions as a form of medication. But then, why was she the only wide awake?

To her horror, she swayed on her feet and if Morgana was not right beside her, she would have fallen on the ground. "Are you quite all right?" Morgana asked, but Hermione frowned.

"I feel… tired," she explained, staring worriedly at Morgana. Her eyes then widened upon a sudden realization. She looked back at Merlin and Arthur, horrified. "I think we are being affected by the enchantment, too."

Her words had brought great worry on the Prince and he stopped pacing. He then looked at Merlin and frowned. "Go to Gaius' chambers and search for the potion he had given Morgana," Arthur ordered. His manservant stiffly nodded his head and immediately left.

Once he was gone, he then turned to Morgana and Hermione. "Let us go to my father's chambers and bring him to the Council Chamber," he hurriedly said, walking outside the room. Morgana and Hermione instantly followed without a word. "If this is truly the cause of magic, then I fear for my father's life."

Soon, they arrived. With great difficulty, Arthur guided his father's head while both Morgana and Hermione held King Uther's legs. "For heaven's sake," the Prince muttered angrily. Morgana glared up at him, clearly tired from carrying the King. Hermione could feel her energy slowly diminishing and it would be only a matter of time before she succumbed to the spell.

Just then, a loud bang from the castle reached their ears. Arthur immediately stopped and brandished his sword. To their horror, the Knights of Medhir had followed them to Camelot.

Prince Arthur looked behind him, a wild look now present on his face. "Bring my father to the Council Chamber," he exclaimed. "QUICKLY!"

Hermione and Morgana then struggled to bring him inside while Arthur followed them, his face facing the Knights of Medhir. His sword would constantly slash to and fro, but none seemed to inflict an injury to them. Hermione was starting to notice that exhaustion was overcoming the Prince. He was starting to sway on his feet and this had prompted her to exert more strength and effort.

Finally, they arrived inside the chamber. The three of them, together with the unconscious king, scrambled frantically inside. While Morgana pulled Uther towards the throne chair, Hermione grabbed a wood from beside and passed it to Arthur.

"What about Merlin?" Hermione fearfully asked, watching as Arthur barred the door.

"Well, let us just hope he survives this, right?" the Prince said in between gasps of breath. He leaned his back against the door and slid down the floor. Hermione also heavily leaned against the door, her heart fearing for the life of the warlock running around the castle.

Arthur's eyes landed on Morgana, who was now done flitting around Uther. She was seated on the ground, her eyes transfixed on the prince and her maidservant. As opposed to the tired two, Morgana was perfectly all right. Perhaps shaken by the arrival of the Knights of Medhir, but she was all right. She did not show any indication that energy was slowly leaving her body.

"Why are you all right?" Arthur asked, now in disbelief. Hermione looked at Morgana and saw how her eyes filled with helpless confusion.

"The potion," Hermione quickly said. "The potion that Merlin said. He… he's searching for it now."

Arthur exhaustedly nodded his head and closed his eyes. Hermione, on the other hand, saw Morgana's fearful eyes and she had a feeling that somehow, her mistress was connected to the mystery that had befallen the whole of Camelot.


He was starting to get affected by the spell and he knew it. Merlin stopped for a while and leaned against the stone wall, taking in deep breaths to steady his loudly beating heart.

Merlin had just visited the Great Dragon a while ago and his revelation made him torn. Like what he had predicted, there was a sleeping enchantment that was cast in Camelot. Those who would stay inside would eventually be affected and fall deeply asleep, seemingly akin to death, but still breathing.

"The only thing that could break the spell," the Dragon had gravely told him, "is to eradicate the source."

And apparently, the source was not a thing but a person. The Dragon soon revealed to him that the one causing this strange sickness to the whole of Camelot was Lady Morgana herself. She did not seem not know that it was her that was causing it, seeing the distress clearly written on her face.

The Dragon had constantly reminded him that Morgana was dangerous, that helping her discover and accept her magic was something that would bring doom to his future and destiny with Arthur. But he refused to listen, again and again. Morgana had the kindest heart in the whole kingdom. She constantly helped those who were in need, worried for those below her, and honestly thought that killing innocent people just because they had magic was evil itself. But then again, lately, Merlin had been noticing strange attitudes of the lady, which he could not place a finger on.

His body then trembled when he knew that Morgana was to be killed. "No," he furiously whispered to himself. The lady was innocent and she did not know that it was her fault.

"If you do not, Camelot will fall and Arthur will die, and the future you are destined to share will die with you."

Merlin closed his eyes and furiously pushed himself against the wall. The burden he was carrying was too huge for him to carry. He did not know what to do this. Morgana was his friend. She told him about her magic even though she was truly afraid of it. He told her it was not something she should not fear; that it was something she could not stop. He helped her accept the truth of her magic.

She trusted him.

The sudden sound of footsteps alarmed him and he immediately hid behind an alcove. He peeked outside and was astonished to see Morgause walking determinedly, some of the Knights of Medhir following behind her.

'I should have known,' he told himself, emerging out of the alcove after they disappeared.

The young warlock then immediately ran back to Gaius' chambers. He had stopped by a while ago, but his mentor had also fallen victim to the enchantment. He tried waking him up, but it was of no use.

"Gaius," Merlin pleaded, entering his chambers once again. "Please, you need to wake up. I need you. Tóbregdan. [1]"

His irises turned golden and he felt the burst of magic in him, but nothing happened. Merlin gave up, frustrated, and sighed.

He then went to the potion tables and hoped to get some things that would at least help them with their wounds and exhaustion. Merlin grabbed Gaius' medicine bag and continued perusing. He then paused, his eyes landing on a vial filled with green liquid, the name 'Hemlock' scrawled neatly on the bottle to serve as a warning.

"You must kill the Lady Morgana."

Merlin closed his eyes, the Dragon's words still rushing in his mind. He considered everything, the possible effects of the decisions he would commit.

Slowly, he opened his eyes, and he stared determinedly at the poison. Unknown to him, his trembling increased, his eyes watered in despair. And then, ever so gently, he lifted his hand and grabbed the poison bottle.


Arthur shook her awake and her eyes immediately opened up in surprise.

"Come on now," the Prince tiredly claimed with a small, faint smile on his face. "Fight off the exhaustion. Merlin would go ballistic if he discovered you had succumbed to the enchantment."

Hermione weakly chuckled and wiped away the forming beads of sweat on her forehead.

She was feeling awfully exhausted now and she knew that Arthur felt the same way, too. He had been biting the inside of his cheeks to keep him wide awake, and yet, the enchantment was too powerful and she could see how the energy was slowly leaving him.

Morgana was still sitting beside Uther's unconscious body, quite ashen and shaken. She seemed to be all right, though, albeit terrified.

A loud blast from outside then reached her ears and she slightly jerked in surprise. There was some scuttling of footsteps outside, before a loud banging on the door was heard.

"Open up!" Merlin cried. Arthur broke into a humongous grin as he forced himself to stand up. Hermione released a soft chuckle and also stood up with great difficulty.

"You better come in quickly, you idiot," the Prince exclaimed, the tone of his voice laced with relief. With the help of Hermione, they removed the wood from the door. Merlin quickly ran inside. One hand of the Knights of Medhir shot inside and tried to grab the young warlock, but Arthur warded him off his sword. The three of them then closed the door once again.

Once the door was barred, they all fell down on the floor in exhaustion.

"You're alive," Arthur pointed out. "How unfortunate."

Merlin cracked a small smile, which immediately disappeared.

"Did you find the potion that Gaius was able to give to Morgana?" Hermione asked, placing a hand on his arm to get his attention. The manservant slowly looked at her, the expression in his eyes indescribable, before shaking his head.

"I can't," he whispered. Beside him, Arthur sighed in defeat, before trying to pull himself up again.

"All right, we must not waste our remaining energies then," he said, heavily leaning against the door. "You three help my father leave the castle while I fight off those blasted knights."

Morgana stood up, her eyebrows knitted in worry. "Arthur…"

The Prince gave her a meek smile. "You'll be fine, Morgana," he said.

The lady nodded her head.

Arthur then turned to Merlin, whose face now held so much worry. "Stop worrying, you idiot," the prince claimed, now softly gasping in exhaustion. "I can fend them off."

"You're tired," Merlin pointed out, but Arthur released a soft chuckle.

"But not as much as you," he said. Merlin finally sighed in defeat before helping him remove the wooden lock once again. With one last look, Arthur then ventured outside while Hermione and Merlin barred the door once again. Outside, they could already hear the clanging of swords and Arthur's constant grunts.

Merlin slid down on the floor once again. Hermione, with a slight smile, would hold his hand and give it a tight squeeze. "It's Arthur," she softly said. "You know he will be all right."

He cracked a small smile. "You have no idea how much he had owed his life to me already, Hermione," he weakly said.

"Help me!" Morgana exclaimed, now trying to place Uther on top of a cloth. "If we can place him on the cloth, pulling him would be easier."

Merlin stared at Morgana, a conflicting emotions crossing his face. Hermione noticed this and she turned to him, worried. "Are you all right?" she asked. The manservant wordlessly nodded his head and approached the lady. Hermione followed suit and immediately fell down on her knees beside Morgana.

"Hermione, help me make some ropes," Morgana said. The brunette weakly nodded and started to help the lady.

"Here, have a drink," Merlin suddenly said, offering the waterskin to Morgana.

Hermione's eyes widened and smacked her lips. "Oh, thank the gods above, I am parched myself," she said, extending her right hand and waited for Merlin to give her the water.

To her surprise, Merlin held onto the water container tighter, his eyes not leaving Morgana's form. "Please drink, my lady," he urged.

Morgana stared at him in slight surprise. "Hermione says she's thirsty, Merlin," she said. "I am honestly not thirsty myself."

"Please, I insist," Merlin said through gritted teeth. "I am sure that Hermione would not mind." He then turned his eyes at her, his eyes silently imploring. Because of what? She did not know. But then, she was obliged to agree with him, and slowly nodded her head.

The lady then smiled uncertainly and thanked Merlin. She then grabbed the water container, drank a few, and then offered it to her maidservant with a smile. To the surprise of the two, Merlin immediately grabbed the container.

"Merlin, that is rude," Morgana admonished.

Hermione, on the other hand, stared curiously at Merlin, seeing how he was starting to tremble with unspoken despair. "Merlin?" she softly called for him, but he merely clenched his jaw tightly, his eyes already watering. "Merlin, what is wrong?"

And then, Morgana started gasping. Hermione's eyes landed on her mistress and saw how her hand was now encircled around her neck. Her eyes were widened, staring at Merlin with unadulterated horror, understanding the betrayal that he had just committed. Hermione's eyes widened, too, realizing that the water was poisoned.

But why?

Tears started streaming down Morgana's eyes. Merlin stiffly wiped away a lone tear that had trailed down his eyes and grabbed Morgana, who was slowly swaying on the spot. The lady pushed him away, but he held onto her tighter.

"I had to," Merlin whispered, despite Morgana's strange sounds of protest. All the while, Hermione would stare at the young warlock, disbelieving of what he had done.

Just then, a loud blast had opened the doors and in came a furious Morgause. She quickly grabbed Morgana from Merlin's arms and stared down at the lady. By this time, Morgana had already fallen unconscious, her breathing soft and her heart slowing down.

"You poisoned her!" Morgause wildly accused, a look of terror on her face.

Merlin tightly clenched his jaw to stop the shaking. "You gave me no choice."

"What did you use to poison her so that I can save her?" the sorceress demanded.

The manservant shook his head, a look of determination appearing on his face. "Stop the attack, and I'll tell you," he ordered.

Morgause grew affronted, her expression becoming murderous. "Don't tell me what to do."

"If you want to save her, you will order the Knights of Medhir to stop attacking and undo the enchantment that had befallen Camelot," Merlin said.

A look of conflict crossed on Morgause's face, now staring desperately at the dying Morgana. "Tell me or you will die!" she threatened.

"Then the knowledge of her death will die with me," Merlin claimed. "You give me no choice. I did not want to poison her. But it is the only way."

Morgause stared at him with so much contempt on her face before looking back at Morgana. "Astýre ús þanonweard! Cnihtas Medhires, éower sáwla. Rid eft ond forsliehð eft [2]," she muttered. Merlin then quickly gave her the bottle of hemlock.

Outside, Hermione heard a loud clanging. Arthur immediately came inside and she concluded that the spell that animated the Knights of Medhir had finally ended.

"MORGANA!" Arthur claimed, but Morgause glared darkly at him.

"Keep away from her!" she cried, once again looking at the dying woman. "Bedyrne ús! Astýre ús þanonweard! [3]" A sudden windy cloud of smoke engulfed her and Morgana. And then, once it subsided, they disappeared into thin air.


[1] tóbregdan – wake up

[2] Astýre ús þanonweard! Cnihtas Medhires, éower sáwla. Rid eft ond forsliehð eft - Guide us from there. Knights of Medhir, your souls ready again and destroy again

[3] Bedyrne ús! Astýre ús þanonweard! - Conceal us! Guide us away from here!


A/N: End of chapter! How'd you like it?

So, here's Merlin's infamous betrayal of Morgana's trust. How'd you like it? Tell me in your reviews!

As you can notice, my author's note had been becoming shorter and shorter as opposed to my past author's note. That is because my finals are coming and things are so hectic and hellish in college that I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO FIRST.

But still, I sought for the proper time to update this story. That's how much I love you guys :D I'm almost done with the whole story! I'm about the start the fiftieth, so that means four more chapters to go before I officially end this story. But then again, I still have to wait for two more weeks before continuing the story.

That's it for now! Once again, drop a review :D

With love,
WickedlyAwesomeMe