Arthur, Merlin and a group of knights stalked through the woods on a hunt, all carrying crossbows. Arthur heard a twig snap in a clearing up ahead, and he signaled everyone to a halt. After a few moments, they all cautiously crept forward until they heard another twig snap. Arthur motioned for the knights to surround the clearing, but grabbed Merlin by the shoulder when he moved to follow.

"Go in there and flush it out," Arthur hissed quietly.

Merlin glared at his brother. "Do you even know what it is? It could be dangerous!"

"Let's hope so!" Arthur said cheerfully, giving Merlin a shove.

Merlin rolled his eyes and cautiously crept toward the clearing. When he reached it and saw the creature within, he stopped to gaze in awe. The crossbow slid out of his hands and dropped onto the ground, forgotten.

The creature was a pure white unicorn. It radiated a sense of innocence and purity. Merlin cautiously approached it, smiling widely. Then he heard a noise in the trees, and his smile faded as he remembered the danger.

"Go! Go!" Merlin urged in a whisper. The unicorn whinnied. "Shh, please go! They're going to kill you, go!" Merlin looked up and saw Arthur aiming for the unicorn. "Arthur, no!"

Merlin's plea came too late, and Arthur fired. The bolt landed in the unicorn's rump. It fell to the ground with a squeal of pain.

Merlin immediately knelt by the unicorn's head and stroked it gently as it died. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Arthur made his way into the clearing. "Ha! A unicorn!" he said triumphantly.

Merlin looked up at Arthur, his expression full of trepidation. "What have you done?"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Don't be such a girl, Merlin!"

Merlin's gaze shifted from Arthur to a point behind the elder prince, and a strange look came over his face. Arthur looked over his shoulder, but saw nothing. "What are you looking at?"

Merlin did not answer, but he looked even more worried.

Arthur's servant carried the unicorn's horn on a red velvet cushion as the hunting party walked into the council chambers. "Father!" Arthur announced happily. "A unicorn's horn, to grace the walls of Camelot!"

Uther put down a sheaf of reports and walked over to inspect the horn, looking impressed. "Magnificent! It's the first one I've seen." He picked up the horn and turned around. "Gaius! Look at this!"

"It is very impressive, my lord," Gaius replied. He caught Merlin's eye, and they shared a troubled look.

Uther noticed that Gaius was not entirely pleased to see the horn. "What is it, Gaius? Speak your mind."

"Unicorns are rare and mystical creatures," Gaius explained. He glanced at Arthur. "There is a legend that says that bad fortune will come to anyone who slays one."

"Nonsense," Uther scoffed. "We will be the envy of every kingdom." He proudly clapped a hand on Arthur's shoulder.

Arthur grinned, basking in his father's rarely-shown approval. "I'm pleased you like it."

Merlin paced in Morgana's chambers. "I don't understand how Arthur couldn't sense it. There was just something so pure about that unicorn, how could he take any pleasure in killing it?"

"Arthur's a hunter, it's in his blood," Morgana stated. "He's not like us."

"What do you mean, he's not like us?"

"When we fight, we do it for justice and for the security of our people. We don't take pleasure in killing things."

Merlin shook his head. "I wish you could have been there. It was the most beautiful creature I've ever seen."

"It sounds like," Morgana agreed. "It's a shame Arthur can't seem to appreciate the beauty in the world."

Merlin snorted. "You try telling that to him."

The next day, Arthur went to his brother's chambers, intending to convince Merlin to join the knights for a training session. He found Merlin staring despondently out of his window. Arthur sighed. "Merlin, you've had a face like a wounded bear ever since we got back from that hunting trip. Don't tell me you're still upset about the unicorn."

Merlin turned around. "That unicorn was radiating the purest, most innocent magic I've ever felt. I can't believe the rest of you couldn't sense it. What purpose did you even serve by killing it?"

Arthur shrugged and walked over to sit down on Merlin's bed. "We were hunting, that's what you do. I know it may be hard for you to remember, but we can't all sense magic whenever we encounter it."

Merlin grimaced. "Arthur, I think there may be some truth to what Gaius said. Something was definitely wrong, the instant that unicorn died."

"You really think so?" Arthur asked worriedly.

"Father may dismiss him, but you know Gaius is usually right about these things. Something bad is going to happen, I just know it."

Arthur suddenly wrinkled his nose. "What is that smell?" He looked around the room and noticed something under the bed. "Look at this!"

Merlin walked over. "What is it?"

"Rat droppings! Your chambers are infested, what are you paying Will for?"

Merlin muttered a spell, causing the rat droppings to vanish. "For the pleasure of his company. Try replacing your bootlicker with someone more interesting, you might make a friend." Someone knocked on the door. "Enter."

A guard poked his head in. "My lords, the king requests your presence as a matter of urgency!"

The guards directed the princes to a farm not far outside the city walls. Uther was kneeling in the middle of a field of dead grain. He picked up an ear and let the dead kernels trickle through his fingers. "Every single ear has died. We've received reports that it's the same throughout the entire kingdom."

"We rode through this valley yesterday," Arthur noted, worried. "The crop looked healthy enough then."

"It happened overnight," Uther concurred, standing up. "The farmers are at a loss to explain."

"Is it a disease of some kind?" Arthur suggested.

"Perhaps," Uther replied. "I've asked Gaius to conduct some tests. We must ration what little food we have left."

Merlin looked around, frowning. "The trees and hedges are all fine. It's only killing plants we can eat."

Arthur and Uther also looked around, and their eyes widened. "I fear you are right," Uther stated. "This is no disease. This must be the work of magic. The kingdom is under attack."

Arthur and Merlin shared a worried look. Maybe the kingdom was under attack…or maybe Arthur had unleashed a curse.

Later in the day, the king and princes walked past a long line of villagers who were waiting for their rations. The royals made their way into the granary.

"The livestock is either dying or has been eaten," Arthur reported. "Food and water's scarce and we're distributing rations, but they're very meager." He pulled a handle to dispense the last of the grain from the granary.

"This is all the grain we have?" Uther asked, concerned.

Merlin nodded. "The people are growing scared. There's been some looting."

"We must maintain order at all costs," Uther decided. "Panic will only make the situation worse. I'll issue a decree that looters will be executed. From tonight, Camelot will be under curfew."

Gwen had just reached the well when she saw Will walk by. "Will! Is it true what they're saying, about the crops? They're all dead?"

Will stopped and turned to face her. "I'm afraid so. We may have to start tightening our belts."

"I'm sure Arthur will think of something," Gwen said confidently. Will nodded, then rounded the corner. Gwen lifted the handle to pump water into her bucket, but instead the well dispensed a steady stream of sand. She tried this twice more, with the same result. "Will!" Will hurried back, and both servants stared in horror at the sand that had replaced their water supply.

Will filled up a bucket with sand and brought it to Merlin's chambers. He found Merlin sitting at his desk, reading reports with a frown on his face.

"It's not good, is it?" Will asked.

Merlin put down the reports and shook his head. "Reports are coming in from all over the kingdom. Wells and reservoirs are full of sand. There's precious little water anywhere."

Will put the bucket on the table. "Well, do you think you might be able to work some magic on this?"

"Let's hope so," Merlin replied, getting up to fetch his spellbook. "We'll all die of thirst a hell of a lot faster than we'd starve."

That night, Arthur gave instructions to a group of guards on the drawbridge. "Patrol the market and the lower town. No one is to leave their homes. Dismissed." The guards marched away to follow Arthur's orders. Arthur turned back to the castle and saw Merlin hurrying down the steps. "Merlin! Where have you been? You do realize we've got a kingdom to protect?"

"Yes, I realize that!" Merlin retorted, annoyed. He moved closer to Arthur and lowered his voice. "I've been trying to turn a bucket of sand back into water!"

"And did you succeed?" Arthur prompted hopefully.

Merlin grimaced. "No. I tried everything. If this is magic, it's more powerful than anything I possess."

Arthur sighed. "Wonderful." He started when he saw an old man in a white cloak entering a side door of the castle. "What was that?"

"What was what?" Merlin asked, confused.

Arthur raced after the cloaked figure, followed by Merlin. Once inside the castle, they caught another glimpse of the cloaked figure, now descending a staircase. They followed, then stopped short when they emerged in the middle of a hallway. A light flickered at the end of the right-hand corridor. Arthur gestured for Merlin to go down the left-hand side and cut off the intruder. The brothers ran in opposite directions.

They met up again in the burial vaults. Arthur was about to ask what had become of the intruder when they saw a man-shaped shadow at the end of the hall. Arthur once again gestured for Merlin to go around, and they separated.

They met up at the foot of the staircase. "Where is he?" Arthur demanded.

"I didn't see anyone!" Merlin defended.

"He was right here! Don't tell me you let him get past you!"

"Arthur, no one passed me!"

"Are you looking for me?" The brothers turned and saw the cloaked man standing before them. "I am Anhora, Keeper of the Unicorns."

Arthur and Merlin shared a worried glance. "What's your business here?" Arthur asked.

"I have come to deliver a message."

"For me?" Arthur suggested, beginning to feel a sense of trepidation.

Anhora nodded.

"Does it have anything to do with why our crops have died, why our water has turned to sand?" Arthur continued.

"You and you alone are responsible for the misfortune that has befallen Camelot," Anhora replied. "When you killed the unicorn, you unleashed a curse. For this, Camelot will suffer greatly."

"Is there nothing I can do?" Arthur pleaded.

"You will be tested," Anhora warned. "Until you have proven yourself, and made amends for killing the unicorn, the curse will not be lifted. If you fail any of these tests, Camelot will be damned for all eternity." With that, Anhora vanished into thin air.

Arthur took a deep, shuddering breath. "Well, at least there's hope." He turned to Merlin. To his surprise, his brother was still staring at the spot where Anhora had been standing. Merlin had a strange expression on his face again. "What is it?" Arthur asked.

"I saw him before in the forest, when you killed the unicorn," Merlin explained. "Just for a second, and then he disappeared. I thought I was seeing things, but he was definitely there."

"So that's what you were looking at," Arthur realized. He furrowed his brow in worry. "Whatever these tests are, they had better happen soon."

The next morning, Morgana sat down to a very meager breakfast. "Is this all?" she asked Gwen.

Gwen nodded grimly. "It's more than most of us have. My father and I are down to our last scraps of food."

Morgana pushed her bowl away. "I can't eat this. There are those that need it more than I do."

"That's very kind of you, my lady, but one bowl will not go far," Gwen pointed out.

"If the palace kitchens have found enough food to feed me more than you, then they must have a source somewhere," Morgana surmised. "We've got to find it. The common people go hungry all the time. Let the nobility go hungry for a change." She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and immediately spat it back out. "Where did you get the water for the tea?"

"Fortunately, I never got around to emptying your bath water yesterday," Gwen replied.

Morgana took another sip and forced herself to swallow it. "Well, I suppose soapy tea is better than no tea. Let's hope Arthur and Merlin find the sorcerer soon."

Meanwhile, Merlin was getting dressed in his chambers. He pulled on a pair of boots, only to discover a hole in the toe of the right boot. "That…rat!" Merlin muttered, annoyed. He stood up and walked over to show the hole to Will. "It's eaten right through my boot, look at it!"

Will shrugged. "I guess the rat must be as hungry as the rest of us."

"You think this is funny?" Merlin asked incredulously.

Will smirked. "A bit, yeah."

After a few moments, Merlin broke into a grin in spite of himself. "Okay, you're right. A bit." He gave the boot to Will. "Get this mended, and find the rat."

Will nodded. "All right. You got any ideas on how to solve this whole mess yet?"

Merlin pulled out another pair of boots as he told Will what had happened the previous night. "So, the good news is: there's hope. The bad news is: we don't know when or where these tests will happen, and have no way of speeding them up. Not much we can do but wait. You can imagine how well Arthur's taken that."

Will shuddered. "Oh god. I wouldn't fancy being his servant right now."

Each night, Merlin and Arthur watched over the grain store. Arthur was on edge, waiting for one of Anhora's tests to present itself. He found himself both dreading and looking forward to them at the same time. On the one hand, they would be opportunities to ease his people's suffering, but on the other hand he risked letting his people down. Arthur sincerely wished that he had listened to Merlin and never shot the unicorn in the first place.

On the second night, Arthur patrolled the surrounding hallways. He stopped and stared incredulously when he saw Merlin sitting slumped against the wall, apparently asleep. Arthur grabbed a broom and lightly whacked Merlin in the head. Merlin didn't stir. Arthur put down the broom and tried shaking Merlin, but still nothing happened. Merlin was breathing normally and his pulse was steady, but nothing would wake him.

A noise down the hallway attracted Arthur's attention. Poking his head around a corner, he saw a flickering light. A figure passed through the other end of the hallway, carrying a torch. Arthur quietly drew his sword and tiptoed in pursuit. When he arrived in the storeroom, he saw shadows dancing on the wall.

Arthur cautiously entered the room, holding out his sword. "Show yourself, before I run you through." A red-haired man timidly emerged, holding a shovel and a bag of grain. Arthur relaxed slightly, though he did not lower his sword. "Who are you?"

The man stuttered. "My name is…my name is…"

"Speak up!" Arthur commanded.

"My name is Evan, my lord."

"I see you think you can help yourself to our grain reserves," Arthur observed sternly. "My father has ordered that looters be executed."

"Please, my lord, I do not steal for myself," Evan pleaded. "I have three children. They have not eaten for two days, they are hungry!"

Arthur stepped forward, his countenance softening in spite of himself. "It's the same for everyone."

"I-I know that it is wrong to steal." Evan bowed his head. "I couldn't bear to see them starve."

"And could you bear for your children to see you be executed?" Arthur asked, not unkindly. Despite his father's decree, he couldn't believe that this man deserved to die.

Evan shook his head, looking close to tears.

Arthur made up his mind. "Then you should go home. If you're caught stealing again, I will not spare you."

Evan beamed gratefully. "Yes, my lord. Thank you!" He put down the bag of grain and made to exit.

"Wait!" Arthur called. Evan paused and looked back. Arthur picked up the bag and tossed it to him. "Use it sparingly. It might be the last food you and your family get for some time."

Evan smiled. "You have shown yourself to be merciful and kind, my lord. This will bring its own reward." Evan bowed, and left.

Arthur stood there, staring after him. This would bring its own reward? Had that been a test? Had he passed it? Hopefully so, if Evan was promising a reward. Arthur raced back to where he'd left Merlin, and found his brother stirring.

"Did you see him?" Merlin mumbled.

"See who?"

"Anhora. He said I couldn't be allowed to interfere, and then after that I don't remember anything…"

Arthur helped Merlin to his feet. "I think I just passed the first test. Come on, we should get some sleep. I'll tell you about it in the morning."

The next day found Arthur, Merlin and Will greedily gulping down mugs of water in Merlin's chambers. The water had mysteriously returned to all the wells and reservoirs overnight.

"I never knew water could taste so good," Arthur panted.

"My throat was so dry, I thought I wouldn't be able to talk," Merlin added.

"At least some good would have come from the drought, then," Arthur joked.

"More?" Will offered, holding up a pitcher. Both princes gestured for him to refill their mugs.

Once Merlin had gulped down a second mug, he turned to Arthur. "You going to tell us what happened last night?"

"I found a villager trying to steal for his starving children, and I let him go," Arthur explained. "When I did, he said it would bring its own reward."

"And a very refreshing reward it is," Will commented. "Have you considered seeking Anhora out?"

Merlin shook his head. "We can't negotiate with sorcerers, Father wouldn't hear of it."

Will shot Merlin an incredulous look. "Says the sorcerer!"

Arthur stood up. "It's not a bad idea, but right now we've got to go and check on the guard." He walked out the door.

Merlin also stood up to follow. He paused when he heard a rustling noise in one of his spare boots. A rat crawled out of a rather large hole in the boot. Merlin muttered a spell and the rat keeled over, dead. Merlin made a face and turned to Will. "See if you can find some food." Merlin then left to join Arthur.

Arthur and Merlin found the city even more packed with people than usual, including a number of crying children. Morgana walked up behind them.

"Who are they?" she asked, looking around at the crowd.

"They've come from the outlying villages in search of food," Merlin explained.

Arthur grimaced. "There aren't enough rations to feed the people who are already here."

"You shouldn't blame yourself," Morgana said bracingly. "I'm sure you're doing everything you can."

Arthur shook his head. "I am to blame. And I'm not doing enough." He and Merlin walked away.

Gwen approached Morgana with a basket. Morgana lowered her voice. "Did you manage to find any food?"

Gwen pulled back a cloth, revealing some bread. "I smuggled this out of the palace kitchens."

Morgana nodded. "Share it out amongst the children and old people. Make it go as far as you can."

Gwen moved to obey. Morgana watched her, brow furrowed in worry. Even using the food that had been set aside for the nobility, there wasn't anywhere near enough to feed the entire city. It wouldn't be long before people started dying.

All three royal siblings gathered in Merlin's chambers that evening. Will had managed to procure a stew from somewhere, and he and Gwen ladled it out.

Arthur leaned back in his chair, making no move to touch the food. "I've lost my appetite."

Morgana fixed him with a stern look. "Arthur, you need to eat. You're no good to anyone if you don't keep your strength up."

Arthur sighed and relented. He took a spoonful of stew, chewed it and made a face. "What kind of meat is this? It has a very strange texture."

Merlin narrowed his eyes at Will. "It's rat, isn't it."

Will nodded. "Try not to think about it."

Arthur took another spoonful, and gagged. "This is the stringiest meat I've ever eaten."

Gwen glared at him. "Food is scarce for everyone, you shouldn't turn your nose up at it!" Everyone turned to stare at her in surprise, and she blushed. "Oh no. I-I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. I'm sorry." She turned away, trying to busy herself with the pot that Will had set on a side table.

"Gwen," Arthur called quietly.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking, it won't happen again!" Gwen babbled.

"Guinevere." Gwen turned back around to see Arthur looking at her with newfound respect. "Thank you. You're right. I was being rude. Forgive me."

Gwen hesitantly smiled at him. "You are forgiven, Sire. And I'm certain you'll find a way to lift this curse."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I have faith in you," Gwen replied. She blushed again. "I mean, we all do."

Merlin and Morgana shared an amused glance. They'd never seen Arthur converse so freely with a servant before.

Merlin cleared his throat. "So…what do you say we go to the forest tomorrow, and look for Anhora?"

Arthur nodded. "First thing in the morning."

Morgana finished her bowl, and Gwen picked it up to refill it. When Gwen handed it back to her, Morgana shook her head. "Eat. I know you're hungry too."

The next morning, the princes traipsed through the woods, looking for footprints or broken branches. However, there were no tracks to be found. The brothers spread out to cover more ground. To Arthur's surprise, he caught a glimpse of Anhora walking through the trees.

"Merlin! Merlin, he's here!" Arthur called. He drew his sword and ran after Anhora. Anhora led him on a winding route between the trees and through a small gully. After a few minutes, Arthur noticed that Merlin was not behind him, but he kept going. Finding Anhora was his priority right now.

Arthur emerged into a clearing and found Evan sitting on a stump, looking smug. Evan had set up a small camp full of overflowing bags of produce.

"You didn't really believe that story about my children, did you?" Evan taunted.

Arthur gritted his teeth, certain that this was another test but uncertain as to how he ought to proceed. "What kind of a man lies about starving children to save his own skin?"

Evan laughed and shook his head. "Your people starve because you let thieves steal their grain. That is why they doubt you."

Arthur thought back to what Guinevere had said the night before. "You do not speak for my people."

"Your father would never have allowed himself to be fooled like that!" Evan jeered.

Arthur's knuckles grew white around the hilt of his sword. "You hold your tongue, or I will teach you some manners."

"Your father would have had me executed, but you didn't have the stomach for it, did you, Arthur?" Evan turned away, staring off into the distance. "And that is why he doubts you'll make a good king."

"You know nothing of what my father thinks!" Arthur hissed.

"I think he wishes that Merlin was his firstborn, because Merlin is worthy of taking his place. You shame him."

"Pick up your sword," Arthur growled.

Evan stood up and did so. "The king must fear the day when you will take the throne." Arthur swung at him. Evan dodged and parried. "He fears you do not have enough strength to defeat his enemies!"

Arthur continued swinging at Evan, rather more wildly than he normally would have done. Evan drove Arthur backwards across the clearing. Eventually, he disarmed Arthur, but Arthur gave him a shove and picked up his sword while Evan recovered.

"The king must wonder if you are even his son!" Evan sneered.

Arthur yelled incoherently and fought even harder. He backed Evan up against a tree and swung at Evan's chest, but Evan vanished. Arthur lost his balance and dropped his sword. He turned around to see Anhora standing behind him, looking disappointed.

"Why did you kill this man?" Anhora asked.

"He insulted my honor!" Arthur defended, almost petulantly.

"You could have chosen to ignore his taunts," Anhora scolded. "What harm would they do you?"

Arthur averted his eyes, ashamed. "Lift the curse. Please, I beg you."

"It is not in my power. You have shown that you would kill a man to defend your pride. You have failed the test. For this, Camelot will pay dearly."

"My people have done nothing!" Arthur argued.

"Your people's suffering is not my doing. It is yours." With that, Anhora vanished.

Somewhere nearby, Arthur heard his brother calling for him. Moments later, Merlin made his way into the clearing, out of breath. His face fell when he saw Arthur's expression. "What happened?"

Arthur simply shook his head, not trusting himself to speak.

When the princes returned to Camelot, they were immediately summoned to the granary. They found their father inspecting the grain, which was now blackened.

"What is it? What's happened?" Arthur asked worriedly.

"All our remaining supplies have rotted," Uther revealed. "Every last grain."

An hour later, the princes went to the council chambers to report on the situation. "There are some supplies left in the palace stores," Arthur announced. "We are distributing them to the people, but there is not enough to live on. They will not survive for long."

Uther bowed his head. "Then you must stop distributing food to the people."

Both brothers shot a look of pure incredulity at their father. "They will starve," Merlin said flatly.

"We must conserve the food we have for our army," Uther insisted. "We must defend the kingdom at all costs."

"What's the point of defending a kingdom where the people have starved to death?!" Arthur argued.

"What would you have me do?" Uther retorted.

"Ask the neighboring kingdoms for help," Arthur suggested.

Uther snorted dismissively.

"They may be able to spare some food!" Merlin pointed out.

"Out of the question," Uther snapped. "As soon as they realize how weak we are, our enemies will strike against us."

"You don't know that for certain!" Arthur protested.

"Besides, I would rather starve than beg my enemies for help!" Uther added. "What of our kingdom's reputation? Have you no pride?"

Arthur flinched. If that had been the case, the curse would have been lifted by now. "I cannot think of my pride when our people go hungry," Arthur stated quietly. "They are all I can think of."

Uther took a few steps toward his sons, then spoke in a low hiss. "Give the order to stop distributing food to the people. Is that understood?"

Arthur lifted his chin and looked his father straight in the eyes. "I will give no such order." He turned around and walked out of the council chambers.

Uther turned to Merlin. Merlin didn't give his father the chance to ask again. "I'm with Arthur. You'll have to give that order yourself." He followed his brother.

Arthur and Merlin leaned against the battlements, watching the people queue for food that they would never receive. Morgana walked up behind them. "This can't go on," she said worriedly.

"They do not yet know there is worse to come," Arthur replied grimly.

"What could be worse?" Morgana asked incredulously.

"Father is going to stop distributing food to the people," Arthur explained. "They are to be left to starve. I had a chance to lift this curse, and I failed them."

Morgana looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

Arthur explained about Anhora and the tests. "This morning in the forest, I failed."

"I'm sure you tried," Morgana consoled. She turned to Merlin. "Isn't there anything you can do?"

Merlin snorted bitterly. "If there was, don't you think I would have done it by now?"

Arthur shook his head. "The people are starving. Camelot is on the verge of collapse, and it is all my doing." He stood up and walked inside, followed by Merlin.

Morgana watched them go, then looked back at the people in the square below. Was the curse really so inescapable as that? Were thousands of people to be doomed, simply because Arthur had failed a test?

Morgana's face hardened. She couldn't accept that. She refused to accept that.

Morgana rapidly walked through the woods. "Anhora!" she called. "Show yourself! Anhora!"

There was no reply except for the echo of Morgana's own voice. Dejected, she began making her way back toward the city.

"You wanted to talk with me?" Anhora had appeared right in front of her.

"I have come to seek your help," Morgana announced. "The people are starving. They will soon be dead."

Anhora stepped toward her, looking weary. "You must believe me when I say it gives me no pleasure to see your people suffering."

"So put an end to it," Morgana said coldly. "The people of Camelot are not responsible for Arthur's actions."

Anhora shook his head. "It is not in my power to lift the curse."

"Then give Arthur another chance," Morgana demanded. "He would do anything to save his people. Whatever you want from him, he will prove himself and lift the curse if you give him one more chance!"

"You have faith in Arthur?" Anhora asked curiously.

Morgana proudly lifted her chin. "We grew up together. He is like a brother to me. Time and again, I have seen the kind of king he will be. I trust him with my life."

Anhora gave her a searching look before replying. "Arthur must go to the Labyrinth of Gedref. There, he will face a final test." Anhora vanished, and reappeared to the side. "If he fails, there is no hope." Anhora vanished and reappeared again. "The curse will destroy Camelot." Anhora vanished once more, this time for good.

"Wait!" Morgana called. "What kind of test will he face?"

Anhora's voice sounded in her mind. That is for Arthur alone to discover.

That night, Merlin went to Arthur's chambers. To his surprise, he found Arthur dressed in armor and packing a bag.

"Are you going somewhere?" Merlin asked, confused.

"Morgana convinced Anhora to give me another test," Arthur explained. "I've got to go to the Labyrinth of Gedref."

"I'll come with you," Merlin suggested. "I might be able to help."

"You're not coming," Arthur said firmly. "I brought this curse upon Camelot. I'm going to be the one to lift it, or die trying."

"How does you dying help anyone?"

Arthur picked up his sword. "I'll…die knowing I did everything I can."

Merlin did not find that remotely reassuring. "I'm coming with you."

"Merlin, Anhora knocked you out to keep you from helping me with the first test," Arthur reminded him. "Just stay here, and help the people as best you can. Is that understood?"

For a few moments, the brothers stared each other down. Then Merlin averted his gaze. Arthur nodded and headed for the stables.

Arthur rode through the night. It was midmorning by the time he finally reached the massive Labyrinth. He dismounted and tied his horse by an entrance to the towering maze of hedges. He cautiously drew his sword and entered the Labyrinth.

Arthur made his way through the maze, trying to head toward the opposite end. Fortunately, the sun was out, elsewise he would have completely lost his sense of direction. He lost count of the number of times he ran into dead ends and had to backtrack. At one point, he thought he heard footsteps on the other side of the hedge, but he did not encounter anyone.

The sun was nearly overhead by the time Arthur finally found the exit. He emerged onto a stony beach, out of breath. Anhora was waiting, standing by a table with two goblets and two stools. Arthur was not as surprised as he should have been to see his brother sitting on one of the stools.

"Merlin?" Arthur asked, more resigned than angry.

"I'm sorry," Merlin replied.

Arthur sighed and turned to Anhora. "Let him go. I'll take your test, but not until he's released."

Anhora shook his head. "That is not possible. Merlin is part of the test. Please, sit." Arthur glanced uncertainly between Anhora and the table. "If you refuse the test, you will have failed, and Camelot will be destroyed."

Arthur put his sword on the table and sat down. "I thought I told you to stay at home," he said to Merlin.

"You know me, Arthur," Merlin shrugged. "I never listen to you."

Arthur turned back to Anhora. "Let's get on with it."

"There are two goblets before you. One of the goblets contains a deadly poison. The other goblet, a harmless liquid. All the liquid from both goblets must be drunk, but each of you may only drink from a single goblet."

"What kind of ridiculous test is that?" Arthur asked incredulously. "What does that prove?"

"What it proves is for you to decide. If you pass the test, the curse will be lifted."

Merlin frowned pensively. "Let's think about this. What if I drink from my goblet first?"

"If it's poisoned, you'll die," Arthur stated flatly. "I don't care to watch that again."

"And if it's not, then you'll have to drink from yours and you'll die." Merlin put his elbows on the table and leaned forward. "There must be a way around it."

"It's perfectly simple. One of us has to die. We have to find a way to determine which goblet has the poison. Then I'll drink it." There was no way in hell that Arthur was going to let his little brother pay the price for his mistake.

Merlin being Merlin, he didn't accept that easily. "I will be the one to drink it."

"This is my doing," Arthur insisted. "I'm drinking it."

"It's more important that you live!" Merlin argued. "You're the future king!"

"You'll do a perfectly good job of ruling Camelot when the time comes. You'll free your people and bring peace to Albion."

"That's your destiny, Arthur, not mine." Merlin shook his head. "What if I drink from mine first, and if that's not poisoned I will then drink yours?"

Arthur glanced at Anhora. "He said each of us is only allowed to drink from a single goblet."

The brothers sat in silence for several minutes, staring at the goblets. Suddenly, Merlin sat up straight. "I've got it. We pour all the liquid into one goblet, and then we can be sure it's poisoned. Then all the liquid can be drunk, and it will be from a single goblet."

Arthur broke into a smile in spite of himself. "Merlin, you are the most brilliant idiot I have ever had the pleasure to know."

"I'm sorry, was that a compliment?"

Arthur pointed over Merlin's shoulder and widened his eyes. "Look out!" Merlin reflixively looked back, and Arthur took the opportunity to grab Merlin's goblet and pour it into his own. Arthur quickly downed the contents, not wanting to give Merlin the opportunity to stop him with magic.

Merlin turned back around just in time to see Arthur putting down his empty goblet. "Arthur, no!" Merlin cried. "What have you done?" Arthur keeled sideways off his stool, and Merlin rushed to his side. "Arthur. Arthur, come on! Come on. Come on! Arthur! No…" Merlin choked back a sob and turned to Anhora. "Please, just let me take his place."

"This was Arthur's test, not yours," Anhora stated, unmoved.

"You've killed him! I was meant to protect him!"

"He's not dead, he has merely consumed a sleeping draught," Anhora revealed. "He will come around shortly."

"What?" Merlin asked in a small voice.

"A unicorn is pure of heart," Anhora explained. "If you kill one, you must make amends by proving that you also are pure of heart. Arthur was willing to sacrifice his life to save yours. He has proven what is truly in his heart. The curse will be lifted."

Merlin heaved a sigh of relief and sat back to wait for Arthur to wake up. After about ten minutes, Arthur stirred. Merlin glared at him. "Congratulations, you're not dead. It was just a sleeping draught and you passed the test. And if you ever scare me like that again, I'll kill you myself."

Arthur slowly sat up and clutched his head. "Well, now you know how I felt when you were poisoned. The curse has been lifted?"

"Yes, the curse has been lifted," Merlin said impatiently. "But seriously, Arthur, what the hell were you thinking? I told you I would drink it!"

Arthur smirked. "You know me, Merlin. I never listen to you."

When the princes returned to Camelot, they found that the crops were growing again and farmers were bringing in the harvest. Uther met them on their way back into the castle. "Is this your doing?" he called. "Is the sorcerer dead?"

"He won't be troubling us any more," Arthur replied.

Uther smiled proudly. "Good. Make sure the grain reserves are restocked."

"We'll see to it," Merlin promised.

Uther walked away. Merlin made to follow, but Arthur clamped a hand on his shoulder. "There is something we must do first."

Out in the woods, Arthur made a small cairn and set the unicorn's horn inside. "I should never have ended your life," he stated quietly. "I'm sorry."

Merlin picked up some stones to help Arthur cover the horn. He paused when he saw something white out of the corner of his eye. He stood up for a better look, then broke into a wide grin. "Arthur."

Arthur also stood up, and he followed Merlin's gaze. The unicorn was standing in a clearing about twenty feet away, alive and well.

Anhora's voice sounded in Merlin's mind. When he who kills a unicorn proves himself to be pure of heart, the unicorn will live again.