Merlin followed Arthur and a group of knights as they stalked through the woods on a hunt. They all carried crossbows, except Merlin who instead wore a couple of heavy packs.
When they reached a small gully, Arthur signaled the knights to a halt and motioned for them to spread out. Once the knights had gone, Arthur looked back at his servant and quietly hissed his name. Merlin approached and gave the prince an expectant look.
"There's something in that clearing," Arthur explained, keeping his voice low. "We'll surround it. I want you to go in there and flush it out."
Merlin frowned. [How do you know it's not dangerous?]
Arthur rolled his eyes. "If it's really something dangerous, I would assume you have the sense to come back here and tell me."
Merlin sighed, nodded, put down his packs and made his way toward the clearing. When he spotted a large branch on the ground, he picked it up to use as a makeshift weapon—just in case. Then he reached the clearing and saw the creature within, and he stopped to gaze in awe. He hardly registered when he dropped the branch.
The creature was a pure white unicorn, radiating a sense of innocence and purity. Merlin cautiously approached it, smiling widely. Then he heard a twig crack, and his smile faded as he remembered the danger.
Go! Merlin urged, hoping against hope that the obviously magical creature would understand him. Please go!
The unicorn whinnied.
Shh! They're going to kill you, please go!
The unicorn still did not move, and Merlin saw Arthur move out from behind a tree above the clearing. Merlin signed for Arthur to stop, but the prince took no notice. Arthur fired, and 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 gently stroked it as it died. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Arthur made his way into the clearing. "Ha! A unicorn!" he crowed triumphantly.
Merlin looked up, glaring at Arthur. [What have you done?]
"Don't be such a girl, Merlin," Arthur retorted, exasperated. Then he noticed that Merlin's eyes were fixed on something behind him, and he frowned. "What are you looking at?"
Merlin was looking at an old man in a white robe and cloak, who had appeared out of nowhere and looked no more pleased than Merlin felt about the unicorn's death. Arthur looked over his shoulder, but the man vanished as quickly as he had appeared. Merlin wondered if the man had actually been there at all.
Merlin followed Arthur into the council chambers, carrying the unicorn's horn on a red velvet cushion. "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 agreed, his brow furrowed.
Uther quickly 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 replied, glancing 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 approval. "I'm pleased you like it."
Mordred sat with Morgana in her chambers, where she was showing him a book about the Knights' Code. "Defending the kingdom, protecting the innocent, serving the king…why doesn't Uther think that commoners can do any of this?" Mordred wondered.
"Between you and me, he's a fool sometimes," Morgana answered. "He also doesn't think women can do this. It took me months to convince him to let me even study swordcraft."
"Anyone can fight if they put their minds to it," Mordred agreed. "Don't tell Merlin, but Arthur's been teaching me how to use a sword."
"Has he now?" Morgana said with interest. "Are you planning to join the army when you're older?"
"I don't know." Mordred pouted. "I wish I could be a knight. But even if I could, I'd never hear the end of it from Merlin."
"He's not your mother," Morgana commented. "He's got to let you grow up some time."
"No, I mean…Merlin doesn't like knights, because of what happened when he lost his voice. He doesn't think they uphold ideals like laying down your life for the innocent. He just sees knights as brutish bullies who enjoy hurting people."
"What about Arthur?" Morgana asked. "Merlin gets along all right with him."
Mordred frowned. "He's polite to Arthur, and I think he does respect him, but I can tell he doesn't really trust him."
Morgana looked thoughtful. "Maybe if you did become a knight, Merlin would see that knighthood isn't a bad thing."
"Maybe. It's not like we'll ever know." Mordred flipped a page to a list of diagrams of hand signals, and he smirked in amusement. "Apparently Merlin's not the only one with a hand language."
A few hours later, Mordred joined Merlin as the latter walked through the square. Merlin was clearly in a bad mood. I just don't understand how Arthur can have taken any pleasure from killing the unicorn, he grumbled.
He likes hunting, Mordred pointed out. It's one of his favorite things to do.
Merlin sighed. It was the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. I wish you could have seen it too.
So do I, Mordred agreed. I remember Gaius once said there are hardly any left.
Merlin snorted bitterly. Try telling that to Arthur.
The next day, Mordred sat on the floor to polish some of Arthur's boots while Merlin stared despondently out of Arthur's window. Arthur sat at his table, eating his midday meal and rattling off orders.
"My horse threw a shoe. Take it to the blacksmith, make sure he does a good job. And when you've done that, you can polish my…" He trailed off as he realized that Merlin was still staring out of the window. "Merlin! Have you listened to a word I've said?"
Merlin turned around and nodded. Arthur sighed. "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."
[I don't think you should have killed it,] Merlin stated.
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Oh really? And why is that?"
[We can't eat unicorns. What was the point of killing it?]
"We were hunting," Arthur said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "That's what you do. Would you have me bring it home as a pet?"
Mordred found a hole in the boot he was polishing, and he paused for a closer look. Noticing an odd smell, he discovered some rat droppings underneath Arthur's bed. "Merlin, look at this!" he called.
Merlin and Arthur both walked over. "What is it, Mordred?" Arthur prompted.
"Your chambers are infested!" Mordred complained. "Honestly, Merlin, aren't you going to do any of your own chores today?"
"Yes, exactly," Arthur agreed. "You need to spend less time worrying about unicorns and more time worrying about rats!" Someone knocked on the door. "Enter!"
A guard opened the door. "My lord, the king requests your presence as a matter of urgency!"
"Find that rat!" Arthur commanded, already following the guard.
All of the crops in the entire kingdom had died overnight, and Uther decreed that the city's remaining food was to be rationed. Gaius ran tests on a sample of dead crop, hoping to discern the cause.
"Do you have any ideas yet?" Mordred asked, watching.
"I've yet to complete the tests, but no disease I've heard of can spread through the entire kingdom in a single night."
"But what else could kill all the plants?"
Gaius looked up from the beaker he'd been shaking. "It's not killing all the plants. The trees and hedges around the crop fields are unharmed. Unfortunately, you can't eat trees and hedges."
"It's only killing plants we can eat?"
"It appears so," Gaius agreed, his voice grim.
"That sounds like a curse," Mordred noted worriedly.
"We can't assume that, Mordred. Perhaps there is something in the soil and water that can explain it, I can't tell the king it's caused by sorcery until I'm completely certain."
Merlin went to collect the meager rations allotted to him, Gaius and Mordred. On his way back to the castle, he passed Gwen at the well.
"Merlin, is it true what they're saying about the crops?" she asked. "They're all dead?"
Merlin nodded grimly.
Gwen swallowed. "I'm sure Arthur will think of something," she stated, sounding like she was trying to convince herself.
Merlin nodded again, then continued on his way and rounded a corner. He had only gone a couple of paces when Gwen called his name. He hurried back and found her attempting to pump water into her bucket. But in place of water, the well instead dispensed a steady stream of fine sand.
Again, reports indicated that the problem had spread throughout the entire kingdom. There was precious little water anywhere. The whole kingdom would soon perish if this continued.
Merlin completely abandoned his chores, instead procuring a bucket of sand from the well and taking it to his bedchamber. Once there, he pulled out the magic book and searched desperately for a countercurse. He tried multiple incantations, but nothing made any difference.
Eventually, Merlin looked up and realized Gaius was watching him. [I'm trying to turn it into water,] he explained. [I know you don't like us using magic, but I am not going to watch innocent people die. Not again.]
Gaius sat on a chair facing his ward. "Merlin, if ever there was a time to use your talents, it's now."
Merlin sighed. [I wish I knew what to do. If this is magic, I'm afraid it's more powerful than mine.] He turned a page, unwilling to give up.
Mordred spent the afternoon taking care of as many of Merlin's chores as he could, slightly annoyed that his brother wasn't doing the work himself. As night fell outside, he started hunting for the rat. He took advantage of Arthur's absence to try a few spells, but his search turned up nothing. After a few hours, he found himself yawning, and he conceded defeat.
Mordred crossed the courtyard on his way back to Gaius's tower. He was halfway across when he heard Arthur calling his name. "Mordred! You do realize there's a curfew?"
"Sorry, I was looking for the rat and I lost track of time," Mordred said sheepishly.
"Did you find it?"
"No," Mordred admitted.
"Go home," Arthur ordered. "You should be in bed, and I'd hate to have to lock you up for breaking curfew." He suddenly stiffened, looking at something behind Mordred. "What was that?"
"What?" Mordred asked.
Arthur did not answer, instead running into the castle. Mordred followed and soon saw the edge of a white cloak disappearing down a spiral staircase, Arthur in hot pursuit.
Arthur stopped short at the bottom of the staircase, seeing there were two directions that the intruder could have gone. Then he noticed that Mordred had followed him, and he sighed. He hesitated for a moment, then made a few quick hand gestures. Mordred recognized the knights' signals from Morgana's book—Arthur was telling him to take the left corridor and cut off the intruder.
Mordred obeyed and ran down the hallway, but he saw no one until he met up with Arthur again in the burial vaults. Arthur opened his mouth, no doubt preparing to ask a question, but then a shadow moved at one end of the vaults. Arthur gestured again for Mordred to go around, sending him in the direction opposite the shadow.
They met up again at the staircase. "Where is he?" Arthur demanded, exasperated.
"I didn't see anyone!" Mordred protested.
"He was right here!" Arthur exclaimed, annoyed. "Be honest, Mordred, did he get past you?"
"Arthur, no one passed me!" Mordred insisted.
A third voice spoke, causing both Arthur and Mordred to turn around. "Are you looking for me?" asked an old man in a white cloak. "I am Anhora, Keeper of the Unicorns."
"Camelot is under curfew," Arthur stated. "What's your business here?"
"I have come to deliver a message to you, Arthur Pendragon."
Arthur took a step toward Anhora. "Is it you who's responsible for killing our crops, turning our water into sand?"
Anhora shook his head. "You alone are responsible for the misfortune that has befallen Camelot."
"Me?" Arthur said skeptically. "You think I'd bring drought and famine upon my own people?"
"When you killed the unicorn, you unleashed a curse. For this, Camelot will suffer greatly."
Arthur glared threateningly at Anhora. "If you have put a curse on Camelot, you will lift it or you will pay with your life."
"The curse was not my doing," Anhora insisted. "Only you can undo it. You will be tested."
"You're under arrest." Arthur lunged for Anhora, but he vanished and reappeared on the stairs.
"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 again, and this time he did not reappear.
The next morning, Mordred related the story while Gaius prepared breakfast. Gaius and Merlin listened with interest. "And you believe what this Anhora said about the curse to be true?" Gaius asked.
[Well, you did say there's a legend that misfortune will befall anyone who slays a unicorn,] Merlin pointed out.
Gaius sighed and set out three bowls, each with very little food. "Not much for breakfast, I'm afraid. We're down to our last scraps."
Merlin frowned, then shoved his portion at Mordred. [Eat. You're still growing, you need it more than I do.]
Mordred nodded, sipped his tea, and choked. "Where'd you get the water for this?"
"Fortunately, you forgot to empty your bath yesterday," Gaius explained. When Mordred made a face, Gaius fixed him with a stern glare. "It's not so bad…though a little soapy. What does Arthur think about the curse?"
Mordred stabbed his food in frustration. "He doesn't believe it's his fault. He thinks Anhora did it."
"If you do not wish to drink bath water, you'd better make sure Arthur sees sense," Gaius warned.
Later that morning, Mordred and Merlin tidied up Arthur's chambers while the prince put on a pair of boots. Suddenly, he pulled off the right boot in disgust. "That…rat!" he exclaimed, standing up and walking over to the brothers. He held out the boot. "It's eaten right through my boot, look at it!"
Mordred shrugged. "I guess the rat must be as hungry as the rest of us."
"It isn't funny, Mordred," Arthur said sternly. He practically threw the boot at Merlin. "Get it mended, and find that rat!" He stormed away and pulled out a piece of parchment at his table.
"Have you given any more thought to what Anhora said last night?" Mordred asked.
"Ah, well, he may have escaped last night, but at least now we know who we're looking for," Arthur replied. "I told my father I will find this 'Anhora' and put an end to it."
"What if he was telling the truth about the curse?" Mordred suggested.
Arthur sat down and gave Mordred an incredulous look. "You think I'm responsible for bringing suffering upon my own people?"
"Not intentionally!" Mordred protested.
Merlin stowed a few articles of clothing in the wardrobe and then turned around. [When you killed the unicorn, I saw Anhora in the forest. Just for a second, then he disappeared. I thought I was imagining it at the time…but if you ask me, it lends credence to his story.]
"Because he was skulking about in the forest?" Arthur said skeptically. "That makes me trust him even less."
"What would be the point of coming to Camelot and lying to you?" Mordred pressed.
Arthur stood up and fixed Mordred with a stern glare. "My father has warned me about sorcerers like him. They will not rest until our kingdom is destroyed. You cannot trust a single word a sorcerer says, and you would do well to remember that."
Merlin angrily stamped his foot, and Arthur looked over at him. [Will invented my language. In a way, you could argue that every word I say is being spoken by a sorcerer. Are you going to tell Mordred not to trust me?]
Arthur was briefly struck speechless, then he bowed his head. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insult your friend's memory. But Anhora has behaved highly suspiciously and given me no reason to trust him. I think I've figured out what his next move is going to be, and when he makes it, we're going to be waiting."
Arthur had decided to keep watch over the grain stores at night, and he conscripted Merlin to help him. By the second night, Merlin was feeling decidedly light-headed from lack of food and drink. He wistfully daydreamed about a hot bowl of stew, then started when Arthur smacked him in the head with a broom. He didn't even remember sitting down.
"Don't you worry about keeping watch, Merlin, you just make yourself comfortable," Arthur said sarcastically.
[Sorry,] Merlin signed. He forced himself to his feet and staggered away from the wall, clutching his head. [Really thirsty…]
"We're all thirsty, Merlin," Arthur pointed out, annoyed. He looked around a corner, then turned back to Merlin. "Psst! Someone's coming."
Merlin looked around the corner and saw a figure pass through the other end of the hallway, carrying a torch. Arthur drew his sword and led Merlin in tip-toed pursuit. Soon, they arrived in the storeroom and saw shadows on the wall. Arthur turned to Merlin and hand-signaled toward the granary.
Merlin stared blankly. [I don't speak knight.]
Arthur rolled his eyes and repeated himself in Merlin's language, ordering him to go around the other way and cut off the intruder.
Merlin nodded, then crept around behind the granary and grabbed a scythe hanging on the wall. Arthur drew his sword and stepped into the open. "Show yourself, before I run you through."
A red-haired man timidly emerged, holding a shovel and a bag of grain. Arthur narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
The man looked thoroughly terrified. "My name is…my name is…"
"Speak up!" Arthur commanded impatiently.
"My name is Evan, my lord."
"I see you think you can help yourself to our grain reserves," Arthur observed, sounding stern. "My father has ordered that looters be executed."
"Please, my lord, I do not steal for myself," Evan pleaded quietly. "I have three children. They have not eaten for two days, they are hungry! I know that it is wrong to steal…but I couldn't bear to see them starve."
"And could you bear for your children to see you be executed?" Arthur asked, not unkindly.
Evan shook his head, looking near to tears.
"Then you should go home. If you are caught stealing again, I will not spare you."
Evan looked up, an expression of pure gratitude on his face. "Yes, my lord. Thank you!" He put down the sack of grain and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Arthur called. He picked up the sack and tossed it to Evan. "Use it sparingly. It might be the last food that 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." He bowed and left.
Merlin slumped against the wall again, feeling dizzy. Arthur glanced over at Merlin, and a look of suspicion suddenly crossed his face. "Come on, let's call it a night," he ordered. "Get some rest."
The water mysteriously returned to all the wells and reservoirs overnight. In the morning, Arthur and the brothers all gulped down mugs of water in Arthur's chambers.
"I never knew water could taste so good," Arthur said, finally pausing for breath. "The sand has disappeared, the water has returned to the well…it doesn't make any sense." He looked up to see Merlin and Mordred sharing a knowing glance. "I suppose you have some explanation for this? Let's hear it."
"Anhora said you would be tested," Mordred answered. "And last night, when you let that man go, he said it would bring its own reward. Maybe that was your first test. You passed it, and this is your reward."
[If you're tested again, you have a chance to end your people's suffering,] Merlin added. [I know you want that more than anything. Perhaps we should seek Anhora out.]
Arthur briefly contemplated this, then set down his mug. "I cannot negotiate with sorcerers. My father wouldn't hear of it.
"Then it's probably best you don't tell him," Mordred suggested.
Arthur appeared to consider this, then stood up. "I must go and check on the guard. See if you can find some food." He walked out of his chambers.
Merlin and Mordred sighed, leaning against the table. Where were they supposed to find food?
A rustling noise drew Merlin's attention. A rat crawled out of a hole in one of Arthur's boots. Merlin's eyes flashed gold, and the rat dropped dead.
In the evening, Merlin ladled out a bowl of stew for Arthur. Mordred was not present; he was helping Gaius. Arthur leaned back in his chair, not touching the food. "I've lost my appetite."
[You have to eat something,] Merlin insisted.
Arthur shook his head. "I can't. Not while my people are starving."
Merlin sighed and turned to set the pot of stew on a table by the door. He fumbled, setting it down rather more loudly than he'd intended.
"Merlin!" Arthur called. "Do you think I'm blind?"
Merlin turned back to the prince, confused. [What are you talking about?]
"Merlin, have you eaten anything since the rations began?" Arthur demanded, raising an eyebrow.
Merlin looked away. [Mordred's barely ten, he needs to keep his strength up.]
"So do you." Arthur stood up and pulled out his chair. "Come on. Take a seat. Eat."
Merlin looked uncertainly between the food and the prince.
"I told you I cannot eat while my people starve. That includes you, Merlin. I'm not eating a bite until you've had at least one bowl of this."
Merlin relented and sat down. He picked up the spoon, scooped up a chunk of meat, and brought it to his mouth. The rat meat was very stringy, and not at all appetizing, but by this point he was too hungry to care. He gratefully wolfed down the stew.
Once Arthur was satisfied that Merlin was eating, he spoke again. "Do you really believe I'm responsible for the curse?" Merlin nodded, and Arthur grimaced. "I'll go to the forest, first thing in the morning. Maybe I can pick up his trail."
[Do you need me to come with you?] Merlin asked.
Arthur shook his head. "Get some rest. One bowl of stew is not going to make up for three days of not eating, and something tells me you don't plan on having any breakfast either."
Arthur went out to the woods early the next morning. He returned two hours later, his head hanging miserably. Mordred frowned worriedly at Arthur's dejected appearance. "Did you find Anhora?"
"I failed the test," Arthur said curtly, tossing his gloves onto his bed. "I just saw my father in the granary. All our remaining supplies have rotted."
Merlin grimaced, wobbling slightly. [Some curse. The people of Camelot have done nothing, why should they suffer for your actions?]
Arthur sighed. "I don't care whose doing this is. Not any more. I just want my people to be fed…again…" He trailed off as Merlin collapsed in a dead faint.
Both Arthur and Mordred rushed to Merlin's side. "Merlin?" Mordred said frantically. "Merlin, wake up!"
Arthur gave Mordred a sympathetic look. "When did you last see him eat?"
"I…don't know…he said he was grabbing food in between chores…" The truth finally dawned, and Mordred looked up at Arthur in dismay. "He hasn't eaten at all, has he."
"I made him eat last night," Arthur replied. "But I think that's the only time he's eaten."
"This is all my fault, isn't it," Mordred fretted.
"No," Arthur said firmly. "It was his decision to make sure you ate all his food. You weren't to know. This is not your fault, and the last thing Merlin would want is for you to blame yourself. Come on, we'd better get him back to Gaius."
When Arthur walked in carrying Merlin, Gaius did not look surprised, merely resigned. Arthur set Merlin down on a patient cot, then narrowed his eyes at Gaius. "You knew about this, didn't you."
"I suspected," Gaius admitted.
"Well then why didn't you stop him?" Mordred demanded.
"When he gets it into his head that he is protecting you, I doubt that there is a force in this world that could change his mind," Gaius said grimly. "Nothing I said would have made any difference. All I could do was pray that the curse would be lifted before he reached this point."
Arthur winced. "I must see to the distribution of what food we have left." He headed toward the door.
"Thank you, Sire, for bringing Merlin back here," Gaius called after him. Arthur nodded curtly before departing.
Merlin awoke to find Mordred hovering over him, looking angry. Merlin tried and failed to sit up, then clutched his head. What happened?
Mordred folded his arms. "You lied to me. You said you were eating." Gaius walked over to sternly raise an eyebrow at Merlin.
[I'm sorry, I didn't want you to worry,] Merlin defended.
"You didn't want me to worry, or you didn't want me to refuse your food?" Mordred demanded. "Actually, it doesn't matter. Either way, it's too late. I'm worried, and I'm not eating until you do."
[Mordred…]
"You want to protect me, you eat," Mordred insisted. "I'm not so hungry that I'll starve if you take your fair share every once in a while."
Merlin looked over at Gaius, who continued to glare sternly. Clearly Gaius was on Mordred's side. Merlin sighed and looked back at Mordred. [Have we even got anything to eat?]
Mordred grabbed a bowl from the table and held it out to Merlin, revealing that it was full of large black insects. Merlin picked one up and frowned. [Are you sure these aren't poisonous?]
"Quite certain," Gaius promised. "Eat up."
Merlin continued to hesitate. His hand trembled as he stared at the insect, trying to work up his nerve.
"Gaius said they taste like chicken," Mordred added.
Merlin bit into the insect, then choked. [This tastes nothing like chicken.] Nonetheless, he forced himself to swallow. He could feel the bug battling to come up again, but he refused to let it. Mordred might not eat if he threw up.
"Good," Mordred said firmly. "Have another."
In the afternoon, Mordred found Arthur on the battlements. Arthur was leaning over the edge of the parapet, watching the people line up for their daily rations. He looked thoroughly despondent. "They do not yet know there's worse to come."
"What do you mean?" Mordred asked worriedly.
"My father is going to stop distributing food to the people. They are to be left to starve." Arthur swallowed. "I had the chance to lift the curse, and I failed them. My people are starving, Camelot is on the verge of collapse…and it is all my doing." He finally looked up. "How's Merlin?"
Mordred bit his lip. "Not good. I got him to eat some beetles earlier, but he couldn't keep them down."
"I'm sorry," Arthur said quietly. "I wish there was something I could do to save him. I wish I could save all of them."
Mordred ran through the woods, calling Anhora's name. He didn't know what Arthur had done to fail the second test, but it was obvious that he would do anything to pass a third. Besides, Arthur passing a third test was Merlin's only hope. "Anhora! Where are you? Anhora!"
"You wanted to talk with me?"
Mordred turned to see Anhora standing behind him. He took a deep breath. "I've come to ask you for help. The people of Camelot—including my brother—are starving, and they'll soon be dead."
Anhora took a step forward, looking weary. "You must believe me when I say it gives me no pleasure to see your people suffering."
"If it pains you, then don't do it!"
Anhora shook his head. "It is not in my power to lift the curse."
"Then give Arthur another chance," Mordred begged. "He knows it's his fault, and he'll do anything to prove himself worthy. Just give him one more chance. Please."
"You have faith in Arthur?" Anhora asked curiously.
Mordred lifted his chin. "I trust him with my life."
Anhora gave Mordred a searching look, then nodded. "Arthur must go to the Labyrinth of Gedref. There, he will face a final test." Anhora vanished, then 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!" Mordred called. "What kind of test will he face?"
That is for Arthur alone to discover, Anhora replied.
That night, Mordred helped Arthur to put on his armor. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" Mordred asked worriedly.
"I have to be," Arthur stated. "I brought this curse upon Camelot. I'm going to lift it, or die trying."
"How will you dying help anyone?" Mordred fretted.
"I'll…die knowing I did everything I can." Arthur narrowed his eyes at Mordred. "You'd better not be planning on following me."
"I wasn't!" Mordred protested.
"Good," Arthur said firmly. "If I should fail, I imagine Merlin would want you to be there with him. You are to stay here, and help him as best you can. Understood?"
Mordred nodded and swallowed. "Understood. And good luck."
Mordred returned to Gaius's chambers and sat by his brother. Merlin was lying motionless on the patient cot, his eyes closed. Merlin? Are you awake?
Yes.
How are you feeling?
Merlin shifted uncomfortably. Could be worse.
Mordred huffed in exasperation. Merlin, stop lying to me. I can see it's bad.
Merlin sighed. My stomach is killing me and I'm not sure I even have the strength to sign right now. Happy?
No, not really, but thanks for being honest…for once.
Merlin winced. You know I wouldn't lie unless I thought it was for your own good, right?
I know, Mordred assured. But I'm not a baby any more, and sometimes I wonder if you realize that.
I do realize that, Merlin promised. You're growing up to be a fine young man, and a talented warlock. I'm proud of you. I know you'll go on to do great things.
Merlin…you're talking like you won't be there to see it, Mordred realized.
You want me to be honest, Mordred? At this point, I don't think I will.
No, Mordred begged. Just hold on. Arthur's going to take another test. You can't die, not for me!
Mordred…I don't regret a thing, Merlin insisted. Just promise me you won't blame yourself, all right? This was my choice, not yours.
NO! Mordred repeated, standing up. You are not going to die! I won't let you!
He ran out of the physician's chambers, all the way to the stables. He was going to make sure Arthur passed that test, no matter what it took.
It was midmorning by the time Mordred reached the Labyrinth. He could see Arthur's horse tied near an entrance to the towering maze of hedges. He tied his own horse next to Arthur's, then entered the Labyrinth. He cast the tracking spell he had learned and followed a meandering path through the maze.
Unfortunately, the spell wasn't proving to be very effective. It forced him to follow the prince's exact route, which meant that Mordred frequently found himself wandering into dead ends and then having to retrace his steps. At one point, he thought he heard footsteps on the other side of a hedge, but the sound quickly faded.
Mordred rounded another corner, then stopped short. Anhora was standing in the Labyrinth, his back to Mordred and a sword in his hand.
"You said Arthur would face a test!" Mordred cried angrily. "This isn't a test, it's a trap."
Anhora turned around. "The trap isn't for Arthur. It is for you. Gehæftan." Vines lashed out from a nearby hedge, binding Mordred completely. He struggled, but the vines did not budge.
Anhora took Mordred to a stony beach on the other side of the Labyrinth and released the vines. A table had been set up with two stools and two goblets. Eventually, Arthur emerged from the Labyrinth, panting. He stopped short when he saw Mordred.
"Mordred?" he said, exasperated.
"I'm sorry," Mordred replied.
Arthur 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. Mordred is part of the test. Please, sit."
Arthur looked 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. He looked across the table at Mordred. "I thought I told you to stay at home."
"Merlin was trying to say good-bye," Mordred explained. "I couldn't just sit there and watch him die."
Arthur sighed and turned back to Anhora. "Let's get on with it."
"There are two goblets before you," Anhora stated. "One of the goblets contains a deadly poison. The other, 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 exclaimed. "What does that prove?"
"What it proves is for you to decide. If you pass the test, the curse will be lifted."
Mordred stared contemplatively at the goblets. "There's got to be a way around this. What do we do?"
Arthur grimaced. "It's perfectly simple. One of us has to die. We have to find a way to determine which goblet has the poison. And then I'll drink it."
"No, you can't!" Mordred objected. "You're the future king, your people need you!"
"And if I come home with your dead body, Merlin will probably murder me and Camelot still won't have an heir," Arthur retorted.
Mordred wasn't sure if that was meant to be a joke or not, but either way he didn't find it funny. "He couldn't murder anyone right now even if he wanted to."
"That doesn't matter," Arthur said quietly. "I don't want to see you dead either. And this is my doing, I must be the one to pay the price."
"But I don't want to see you die," Mordred whispered.
"I'm sorry." Arthur frowned thoughtfully, staring at the goblets. "I'll drink from my goblet, and if it's not poisoned then I'll drink from yours."
"That won't work, he said each of us is only allowed to drink from a single goblet," Mordred argued. He also frowned, thinking hard. "I know! If we pour all the liquid into one goblet, we can be sure it's poisoned. Then all the liquid can be drunk and it will be from a single goblet!"
Arthur looked up in surprise. "You really are a lot smarter than I give you credit for."
"I've told you before, I'm young not stupid."
Arthur's eyes widened and he pointed over Mordred's shoulder. "Look out!"
Mordred looked behind him, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary. He turned back to the table just in time to see Arthur finish pouring one goblet into the other. Arthur raised the full goblet to his lips.
"No, please!" Mordred begged. "There's got to be some other way!"
Arthur shook his head. "You know there isn't." He lifted the goblet in a toast, then drained it. He set down the empty goblet. For a few moments, he and Mordred simply stared at each other, waiting for something to happen. Then Arthur collapsed sideways off his stool.
"Arthur! No!" Mordred cried, rushing to the prince's side. He knelt and tried to find Arthur's pulse. He began sobbing when he couldn't find it. "Come on. Please, Arthur come on!" Mordred looked up at Anhora. "Please, bring him back!"
"He's not dead, he has merely consumed a sleeping draught," Anhora revealed. "He will come around shortly."
"W-what?"
"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."
When Mordred and Arthur returned to Camelot, the crops were growing again and farmers were bringing in the harvest. Mordred raced to Gaius's chambers and found Merlin eating a bowl of soup. Merlin just barely managed to put the bowl down before Mordred nearly tackled him in a hug.
See? I told you you wouldn't die! Mordred said triumphantly.
Merlin smiled. That'll teach me to doubt you. What happened, anyway? What was Arthur's final test?
He had to prove that he was willing to sacrifice his life to save mine, Mordred explained.
And…he actually did? Merlin asked, surprised and more than a little concerned.
Well, he didn't really die, but he proved he was willing to.
Merlin leaned back, impressed. Looks like he really does have the makings of the greatest king Albion will ever see.
Mordred snorted. What, because he protected me?
Merlin shook his head. Not just that. He cares about his people. He'd do anything for them. He proved that these past few days.
Once Merlin had recovered, Arthur took him and Mordred into the woods. The prince made a small cairn and set the unicorn's horn inside. "I should never have ended your life," he said quietly. "I'm sorry."
Merlin and Mordred picked up stones to cover the horn. A few moments later, a flash of something white caught Merlin's eye. He looked up, then nudged Arthur and Mordred. The unicorn was standing in a clearing several paces away, alive and well.
Anhora's voice sounded in Merlin and Mordred's minds. When he who kills a unicorn proves himself to be pure of heart, the unicorn will live again.
A/N: I admit I'm pretty sure it would take longer than that for an initially healthy young man to starve to death...but hey, there's a curse. And Merlin's death in particular would be a punishment to Arthur.