PREVIOUSLY ON: MERLIN
"You still haven't forgiven him?" Mordred asked quietly.
She turned back to him, an angry look on her face. "How can I? After everything he's done. I can stand being around him for a while when he's pleasant but then all the feelings and betrayal gets built up and I begin to feel that clamour for vengeance."
"Morgana!" Gwaine called out just as he approached 3 feet away from her. She turned around and a man stepped out of the alcove, a crossbow loaded and ready pointing at Morgana's head. He pulled the trigger just as Gwaine jumped to push Morgana into the floor.
"People of Camelot!" cried a feminine voice and the crowd of people parted to let through a dark-haired woman. Arthur inwardly groaned when he recognized his sister. Trust her to completely ruin this execution.
"She must prove to be changed and then perhaps a bodyguard. Someone who we can trust to not be swayed by any of her attempts to betray you. Someone who Morgana trusts but can keep a close eye on her," Sir Noran said.
"I cannot believe this!" Caradoc slammed his fist on the table. "The witch should be rotting in the dirt by now but the love-struck king gives her a bodyguard!"
"A pathetic bodyguard from what I gather," Gareth responded from across the table, arms crossed. "Merlin has always been Arthur's fool."
"Arthur seems strangely fond of the boy though," Lord Griflet began, from the head of the table, a smirk finding its way onto his thin lips. "Instead of killing one of Arthur's knights, Morgana is going to kill Arthur's manservant."
EPISODE FOUR
OF MEN AND GREAT KINGDOMS
PART 2
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
It was much easier to hate him when she was not around him. He had betrayed her trust and friendship. There was nothing that could change that. Yet, now that he was assigned to her as a "bodyguard", she could not seem to escape him. She found herself bantering with him as she once did. They avoided any discussion of magic though, trying desperately to banish the thought that he was Emrys, her destiny and doom.
"Explain to me why we are in the darkest part of the lower town," Merlin muttered, trudging along behind Morgana, a sword strapped to his side.
"Because," she drawled, waving at a young boy, "I need to build my reputation again."
"You surprised everyone when you saved that Outzlake's life," Merlin reminded her.
"And yet, some of the nobles do not like me."
"Well, you did usurp the throne. Don't be too surprised," Merlin muttered. "Why can't you go somewhere else to rebuild your reputation instead of here where it's muddy and-ha!" With no grace, Merlin slipped and fell into a pile of mud. He lay there for a moment before slowly standing up, spitting mud out of his mouth.
Morgana resisted the urge to break out in laughter. He looked pitiful with mud caked to his face and in his hair. "You are such a girl's petticoat."
"You're worse than Arthur," Merlin groaned, wiping off some mud.
She smirked. "I am his sister."
"I quit as your bodyguard," Merlin informed her in a whiny voice.
"You can't. They need someone loyal to the crown to be with me. I will not be stuck with a half-wit guard."
Yes, it was much easier to hate him when she was not with him. People were starting to trust her though because they trusted Merlin. Now and then she wondered what would happen if she killed a peasant. She would be exiled forever. She knew that Arthur could never kill her. Yet, her choice to return to Camelot was the best choice she ever made. She lived in comfort and even though she received condemning looks from some, she was happier than she had been.
As for Merlin, he had been trying to suppress any feelings he had for her. He enjoyed being around her when she was bantering with him. However, when she thought he wasn't looking, a sad look overcame her face. Demons still plagued her but he did his best to make life as normal for her as he could.
He still loved her, even more so now that she wasn't attempting to kill him every three months. Noting could happen though. He was still a servant.
Winter was coming. The temperature had been steadily dropping. The people had begun to store away their food for the winter months. Merlin didn't know as the snow began to fall that his days were being numbered.
"Thank you for taking me on a ride," Morgana said from atop her dark stallion. Her and Guinevere, atop a mottled mare, were riding side by along a trodden path in the forest. Two guards trailed behind them but far enough to not be a nuisance. Surprisingly, Morgana had agreed to the guards quickly: she understood that Arthur still had to keep up appearances. "I haven't been riding for ages."
"You are still as good as I remember. We used to ride for hours together. I was never your maidservant than," Guinevere reminisced.
"You were always my friend," Morgana replied with a kind smile.
Guinevere averted her eyes. "Was I? Even when you usurped the throne?"
Morgana understood the bitterness in her voice. Of all the people she betrayed, Guinevere was the one she hurt the most. "I was jealous of you, Guinevere. You had the throne, something I desired. I did not hate you but I hated your fortune."
"Do you still desire the throne?" Guinevere asked cautiously.
Morgana smiled softly. "Sometimes. Then I remember that the throne has only brought me pain and sorrow."
"Arthur will lift the ban," Guinevere told her with blind certainty. "I know it."
"Will he? Mordred and myself are allowed to practice magic but never in public."
"You must understand that after living in fear of magic for you, people are not as open to it as you wish. You cannot expect people to accept what is evil in their eyes in an instant," Guinevere responded, her voice caring and yet firm at the same time. It was the voice that made her such a good queen. She carried sympathy, grace and authority.
"I suppose you are right," Morgana said, a hint of sadness in her voice. All she wanted was for people like herself to be free of social degradation. "Let us talk of something else. Tell me, is there a prince or princess on the way?"
"That's what you've decided to talk about?"
"The little babe would be my nephew or niece," Morgana protested lightly.
"I don't know," Guinevere sighed. "We've been trying."
"Now it has gone too far. Arthur—" Morgana pulled a disgusted face.
"He's very good in bed," Guinevere said with a smirk, knowing how it would irritate Morgana.
Morgana slammed her hands over ears but she had a grin on her face. The two of them had always made jokes at the expense of Arthur's dignity. She lowered her hands, laughing.
"How is Merlin doing as a bodyguard?" Guinevere asked once their laughter had died down.
"He follows me around, as he should," Morgana replied coolly.
Guinevere noticed the coldness in her voice and her eyebrows came together in confusion. "After you came back from Morgause, you and him didn't seem to be as friendly as you were. Why is that?"
"Something happened between us the day the Medir Knights arrived. I haven't been able to forgive him for it."
"You should," Guinevere told her bluntly. "Hate will get you nowhere."
"I do not hate him, but one minute we can be laughing together and the next it is cold tension."
"I'm sure he feels horrible for whatever he did."
"I know he does but forgiveness has never come easily to me."
"May I suggest something?" Morgana gave Guinevere an approving nod. "Confront him about it, whatever it is. Dancing around each other will only work for a while before you drift completely apart."
Perhaps seizing him into an alcove was not the confrontation Guinevere had mentioned. Nevertheless, she was determined to finally throw all barriers down. They had been circling each other for ages now, avoiding any topic of magic or destiny. That was fine before but now, she wanted answers.
"Milady?" Merlin asked cautiously. Why had she pulled him into this alcove? The last time this had happened, he had been threatened by her. That seemed like a lifetime ago.
"Please do not call me that, Emrys."
"You know how much I hate that name."
"But it is your name," Morgana protested. It was a simple statement but so power. Emrys was a sorcerer of great power, someone to lead other like himself. If Merlin had took on that role, perhaps things would have been different. Perhaps…he would have told her.
"My name is Merlin."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"About what?"
"Everything!"
"Because I'm a coward," Merlin spoke softly. "I wanted to tell you about my magic but I was too afraid."
"You were afraid? How do you think I felt?" Morgana hissed. "I had no one. The least you could have done was given me a hint!"
"I sent you to the Druids," Merlin reminded her.
"But it's not as though I could have stayed with them," Morgana snapped.
"What I did was unforgivable and if I could change it, I would. I'll do whatever I can to help you now," Merlin pledged, taking her hand into his. He lifted it to his mouth, kissing it. "I promise."
Morgana felt a shiver run up through her hand. "Don't expect me to forgive you easily," she said, intending to sound intimidating.
"Understandable," Merlin replied huskily, moving forward to her, hands still intertwined. "Having you jere is enough for me."
She gulped as he eyed her up and down, his eyes seemingly burning into her core. "Merlin…did you really mean what you said in the forest? That you love me?"
"Do you want it to be true?"
She wanted to rebuke him, especially because she had conflicting feelings for him. She could still feel that boiling anger when she thought of what he had done to her even though he seemed to forgive her for her own transgression against him and Camelot. Yet, with his sapphire eyes seeming to see right through her and that predatory look on his face, she found herself moving forward, that hum of attraction between them again.
She wanted love more than she cared to admit. She wanted someone to love her fully for everything she was. She had thought herself to be unlovable but Merlin told her otherwise.
Which was probably why she reached out with her free hand to pull his neck forward, lips finally touching. It wasn't a sweet kiss like she expected. It was hard and powerful with tugging and biting. It was confronting, as though everything between them seemed to be taken into account. There was nothing at all between them in that moment and Morgana began to feel as though maybe, she'd be able to forgive him sooner than she expected.
Merlin's hands were running up over her sides as he pressed her into the wall of the alcove. He froze and stepped back, his senses coming back to him.
"I'm sorry," he said breathlessly.
"What for?" she demanded.
"You are a lady," he replied, reverting into the clumsy manservant.
"You are Emrys," she reminded him, this time without any contempt in her voice. "So I guess that makes us equal."
"But only to you and Mordred, not to Arthur." He looked in her the eye. "This isn't the time or place for that."
"You had no objections before."
"That was before you were…you know," he scratched his head nervously.
Morgana gave him a devious smirk before brushing past him. This confrontation was finished. She couldn't understand how in the world he could have felt afraid but she knew, down to her soul, that he had put all that behind himself. She would have to do the same.
Merlin followed her out, an extra bounce in his step, and fell in step behind her. Suddenly, a hand grasped Merlin's wrist and seized him into another alcove. Merlin yelled but a hand covered his mouth and piercing pain overcame him. He was shoved out of the alcove, blood dripping from his side. Morgana knelt beside him, checking to make sure he wasn't in imminent danger then grabbed hold of the man of the alcove, throwing him out into the hall.
She seized him again and yanked his hood back.
His face was youthful with little stubble.A smirk was written on his lips, his blue eyes twinkling with cunning. He laughed. "Kill me, I dare you."
"Why did you stab Merlin?"
"Why did you kill my sister? Why did you have innocents killed?" He laughed hysterically. "Because you wanted to! This is revenge. You would know a lot about that wouldn't you?"
"You're insane," Morgana accused, hands still on his shoulders.
"No more than you!" He laughed again, even more hysterically.
"Why did you stab Merlin?" she demanded, shaking him.
"I didn't stab Merlin. You did!" He began to howl with laughter. "You did! Ha!" While Morgana looked on in pure confusion, she missed one of his hands trailing down to his belt to grasp at a knife. With one last chuckle, he wretched himself away from Morgana and plunged the ornate knife into his heart. He toppled over, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Get her!" cried a voice, and soldiers came around the corner along with two knights. One of the knights ran towards the dead man, tears beginning to stream down his face.
"Oh gods! My brother!" He cupped his brother's face, shaking his head. "No, no, no!"
Two guards seized ahold of her arms and cold iron slipped over her wrists and a blindfold slipped over her face. She could hear the shuffling of bodies as the other knight went to his comrade.
"Caradoc, I am so sorry."
"Gareth, you need to take the manservant to the physician," an older voice commanded. "Guards, take her to the dungeon." The guards shoved her forward; shocked and confused, Morgana stepped forward allowing the guards to take her. As she walked farther away, she heard one of the knights yell, "How do you feel now witch? Do you feel better now that you've killed another innocent and tried to kill Arthur's manservant? You'll rot in hell!"
Arthur stormed into the dungeons, pure anger on his face. He pushed aside the guards and stomped to Morgana's cell. "Morgana!"
Morgana turned away from the barred window. "Brother—"
"Don't 'brother' me! What have you done?"
"I didn't kill that boy and I did not attempt to kill Merlin. Why would I? What would I have to gain from it?" Morgana replied calmly. She knew she was in a tricky situation. Whoever sent the boy to stab Merlin had motivation but who would benefit from Merlin being dead? Most importantly at this moment, she needed Arthur to see that she had no motivation to kill anyone.
Arthur put his hands on the back of his head, pacing in a circle. Jaw clenching as he exhaled through his nose, feeling stressed out.
"There will be a trial," Arthur told her, rubbing his head. "You will tell your side of the story and be condemned."
"Who will judge me?" Morgana asked in outrage. "If I tell the truth—"
"Exactly!" Arthur shouted. "No one trusts you anymore! I am certain that no matter what story you tell the jury, they will be swayed in Lord Griflet's case."
"Hear me out first!" Morgana demanded.
"I cannot. I am the king, I will judge the trial, and I cannot be biased. If I pardon you without trial, I will risk throwing Camelot into civil war. If I hold a trial, you will be condemned." Arthur tightened his fist against the bars. "Gah! I don't know what to do!" He looked at Morgana who had a look of anxiety mixed with annoyance.
"Arthur Pendragon!" Morgana said firmly, marching over to the bars. "You are king of Camelot as hard as it is for me to admit it. We will find a way out of this." She reached out to grasp his face. "I did not try to kill Merlin and I did not kill the boy. I wouldn't. Now, Merlin knows what really happened. Make sure he lives."
"He was supposed to die!" Caradoc shouted, throwing a wine glass at the wall.
"Yes, I was well aware of the plan," Lord Griflet replied tensely, hunched over a table, his dark hair falling in waves over his forehead.
"Why couldn't your brother do his job?" Gareth sniped from beside the bed, standing with his back to both of the men.
"My brother gave his life for this cause!" Caradoc shouted back.
"Your brother was insane, hysterical!"
"Does it matter?" Griflet interrupted angrily, turning to the young knights. "Merlin will speak for Morgana. We must discredit his word."
Gareth and Caradoc glared at each other from the across the room. Gareth pushed his dark blond hair out of his face while his other hand clutched at his sword. "Allow the boy to live then bait him into a trap which we can easily disapprove and Arthur will be suspicious."
"That has to be one of the most intelligent things you've said today," Caradoc grumbled.
"How dare you—" Gareth said in a low voice, starting to draw his sword.
"Oh would you two stop acting like children!" Griflet commanded, his voice turning deadly. "What matters is that Morgana is sentenced to die. The other lords and knights may not like Morgana, but they are too weak to go against her. Arthur will thank us once she is dead."
Merlin's eyes fluttered open, then shut as the light invaded his pupils. He felt around with his hands, feeling soft sheets. He squinted as he adjusted to the light. Finally, he opened his eyes fully. He was lying in his bedroom, the sun reaching its highest point in the sky. He sat up then fell back in pain, groaning.
Morgana! What had happened to her after he was stabbed? Who had stabbed him? He slowly sat up, wincing in pain, and lifted up the edge of his shirt to see stitches across his stomach.
"Gaius!" he called, waiting for his guardian to hobble through the door. Within seconds, Gaius was barging into his room, a look of worry on his face. "What happened?" Gaius gave him an incredulous look, walking towards his bed and slapping him about the head.
Gaius raised a stern eyebrow, sitting down. "You nearly died! That's what happened!"
"Well sorry! It's not as though I could have done anything about it," Merlin complained, rubbing his head to which Gaius responded by smacking him again, then grabbed him a tight hug.
"I thought I'd lost you," he told his ward sincerely.
"Yeah, I won't be repeating it anytime soon," Merlin responded, smiling. "What about Morgana?"
Gaius' face darkened. "She's been accused of trying to kill you and the murder of Kaden."
"That's rubbish! She didn't lay a finger on me. Who's accused her? If it's Arthur…"
"Lord Griflet, Sir Caradoc and Sir Gareth. They say that she tried to stab you and when Caradoc's brother, Kaden, tried to intervene, she killed him."
"That's absurd!" Merlin exclaimed. "I know what happened!"
"If you testify, they'll say your mind's addled or that Morgana's enchanted you," Gaius warned him.
"When's the trial?"
"Tomorrow afternoon."
"Right, I need to talk to Morgana."
"Merlin!" Gaius scolded. "You are still unwell."
"Am not!" Merlin replied, attempting to stand up then falling back into bed. "Maybe a little," he said reluctantly. "But I have to do something! Morgana didn't kill anyone." He saw the look on Gaius' face. "No! Why would she? After everything she's been through. She has no reason."
"Rest," Gaius said sternly before walking out.
It didn't make sense. Why would Morgana kill anyone? She changed. He would have to confront her but he knew she hadn't tried to kill him.
Mordred! Mordred!
Emrys? I'm busy.
Morgana's in danger. I need you to find anything you can on Lord Griflet, Caradoc and Gareth. I'm confined to bed.
How are you holding up?
I"m fine but I need you to do this for me.
Of course, Emrys.
Merlin broke away from the telepathic link then reached out for Morgana.
Morgana?
He wasn't sure how she'd react to this. He wasn't even sure she'd be able to hear him.
Merlin?
Gaius has confined me to my chambers. This is the only way I can communicate with you. How are you holding up?
The dungeons are lovely, she replied sarcastically.
You shouldn't be down there. You didn't kill anyone.
Try telling that to Lord Griflet. Apparently, when I stabbed you, Caradoc's brother intervened between us and then I killed him.
That's not what happened! His brother grabbed me and stabbed me.
But no one will believe us. You are a servant and I'm the wicked witch of Camelot. Our word does not count.
What would Griflet, Caradoc and Gareth gain from having you on trial?
Well, obviously—they don't intend for me to just have trial. They want me to be condemned to death.
But why?
Because I'm me! I may have managed to win a few nobles over with Outzlake's case but Griflet doesn't seem to be my biggest fan.
I am not letting them prosecute you. I'll get you out of this, Merlin told her determinedly. Look, I can't do anything like this. I'm still too injured to do anything. If I come down there, can you heal me?
That's dangerous!
I'm touched that you care but I've done more audacious things.
Why don't you just teleport down here? You do have magic. Her last words were slightly bitter although she tried to hide it. Merlin sighed, she hadn't forgiven him for that transgression yet.
Don't laugh at me but I've never bothered to learn.
You mean the great Emrys…It's not hard, just think where you want to go.
Merlin envisioned himself by the dungeons. His magic flowed through him as he felt himself move. When he opened his eyes, he found two guards staring at him in shock.
"Swefnu!" He extended his hand and the guards crumpled to the ground, eyes rolling back. He whispered a spell to wipe their memory for the last 10 minutes and stepped over them. He limped down the corridor; the cells were empty except for a few mice. He found Morgana sitting on her cot in the cell at the end of the corridor to the right. He observed the cell for a moment before saying, "You could break out of here using magic, couldn't you?"
"I could but I won't," Morgana replied, rising from the cot and walking towards the bars; when suddenly Merlin teleported inside the cell behind her. Morgana smiled, "Useful isn't it? Morgause made any excuse to teleport. She loved it but it always made me feel sick." She turned to find him sitting down and she sat beside him.
"I need you to heal my wound fully," Merlin told her, lifting his shirt up to reveal the stitches on his stomach. She placed a cold palm on his stomach, eyes closing as she reached out to find the extent of the damage. Her eyes opened to glowing gold as he felt the skin knit together again. She removed her hand. "There."
"You're very good at healing," he said, pulling his shirt down.
"It's one of my strengths. It took me only an hour to learn how to mend someone's ribs and it took a week to learn how to light a fire in my hand."
"I was moving things before I could speak," Merlin chuckled. "I asked Mordred to see if he could dig up some dirt on Lord Griflet. I'm going to his chambers now to find anything." He met her eyes. "I won't let him condemn you."
"Perhaps I deserve it," Morgana muttered.
"The fact that you admit it makes it obvious that you don't deserve it," Merlin said softly, he felt himself lean forward, his eyes watching her lips. He pulled away jerkily, standing up. "I should go. I will get you out." He teleported out of the cell and back into his room. He rubbed the back of his head, feeling a headache come on. "Morgana didn't tell me it would ache to teleport…" he muttered before flopping on his bed, energy draining out of him.
Lord Griflet raised his goblet, laughing. "To us!" Caradoc and Gareth sat opposite to each other beside Lord Griflet. They too raised their goblets, satisfied smiles on their faces. The goblets clinked together and the wine raced down the throats of the traitors.
Caradoc slammed his empty goblet back down. "The witch will burn and we will be free of her treachery once and for all."
"Arthur will reward us once he realizes the service we have done him," Gareth announced happily. "We will be rich!" The other men laughed at his words, pouring themselves more wine.
"What of the boy?" Caradoc questioned, once the excitement had died down.
Lord Griflet gave him a sly smile. "I have set him a trap, leaving a note saying that if he talked out against us, he would die."
"That won't stop him," Gareth said, "The boy trifles with affairs that do not concern him. He will not heed your warning."
"That is why we will enforce it physically and when Arthur walks in the room, he will see his faithful manservant beating up a Lord," Griflet explained with a smile. "Gareth, find him and tell him I demand to see him. Caradoc, find Arthur and get him to come to my chambers." Gareth and Caradoc both rushed to their tasks, leaving Griflet alone in his chambers.
The witch would die and Camelot would be free from pestilence once again. There was no doubt that she deserved this. When she ordered soldiers to fire into a crowd of townspeople, his daughter had died. This was revenge for himself and any others who had suffered during her reign.
"Get off me!"
Gareth swung open the door, pushing Merlin in front of him.
"Ah, Merlin. How are you?" Griflet asked with fake concern.
"What do you want, Griflet?" Merlin demanded.
"That's 'Lord Griflet' to you, boy," Griflet scolded. "You got my note I presume."
"It made things quite clear but if you gave me that note, why summon me here?"
"Merely to warn you," Griflet gave him a smug smile. "If you speak a word for the witch's sake, I will have you killed."
"You already tried, it didn't work too well," Merlin replied, arms crossed.
"I won't make that mistake again," Griflet said, standing and walking towards the manservant. "If you ruin my plans, I will kill you. The witch deserves what's coming for her and I won't let you stop my vengeance." His words were deadly silent and Merlin knew he meant every word. "And to prove that I'm not all just talk…" He swung his fist into Merlin's face. Merlin reacted instinctually returning the punch with his own hook. The two men fell into a fight, rolling this way and that on the floor, punching and kicking. Merlin felt Gareth try to pry him away from Griflet but he was enraged.
Morgana was being charged for something she didn't do. Griflet had organized everything to enact revenge.
"Merlin!"
Merlin froze immediately and Griflet pushed himself away, standing up slowly.
"He attacked me!" he shouted, a horrified look on his face.
Merlin shook his head, realizing that he'd been played again. "Arthur, it's not what it looks like. He wants to kill Morgana!"
Arthur sighed, looking from lord to manservant. "Guards!" Two guards rushed into the room. "Lock my manservant in the dungeons."
"Arthur, no!" Merlin pleaded as the guards slapped iron chains onto him. They grabbed his arms and led him out of the room. "It's a trick!"
"Thank you, sire," Griflet replied, reaching out to kiss Arthur's hand. "Thank you."
Arthur pulled his hand away. "The trial is tomorrow. Rest up."
"Of course, sire."
Arthur left the room shuddering at Griflet's snivelling. He missed the devilish smiles that Caradoc, Gareth and Griflet all shared.
Sefa walked down the stairs of the dungeon, a tray of food in her hands. She approached the cell at the right at the end of the corridor. She stuck the key through the hole and opened the door.
Morgana sat up from her cot as her maidservant brought over the tray and set it down on the blankets. "Oh Sefa, thank you."
Sefa gave her a nervous smile. She was still a bit uncomfortable around Morgana, given her reputation. But since Sefa was hired as her maidservant, Morgana had been nothing but kind to her. Sefa bowed as she exited the cell, locking the door behind her.
"Sefa. Sefa!" whispered a hushed voice from the cell across from Morgana's.
Sefa turned to see Merlin clutching the bars, looking at her. She took a glance between him and Morgana before taking a few steps to be closer in front of the bars.
"I need your help," Merlin whispered. "Morgana didn't kill Sir Kaden, Caradoc's brother. Kaden tried to kill me."
"What?" Sefa whispered incredulously. "But I thought Morgana tried to kill you."
Merlin snorted. "Morgana isn't that stupid. She has nothing to gain from killing me."
"You're her bodyguard. If she killed you, she could escape," Sefa explained.
"She's repented Sefa," Merlin said coolly. "She's changed, I know it."
Sefa gave him a reluctant look. "What do you want me to do?"
Merlin grinned happily. "I knew I could count on you." His eyes moved away from her to make sure no one was listening. "Tomorrow when the trial starts, when the guards come for Morgana, I need you to get me out as soon as they leave."
"Of course," Sefa responded. "What are you planning?"
Merlin smiled softly. "I can't tell you that."
Sefa sighed. "Whatever it is, please don't get hurt again."
"I promise I won't," Merlin replied, giving her a reassuring smile. He laid a hand over hers through the bars. His eyes locked with hers. "Thank you."
Sefa nodded, her eyes lingering on Merlin's longer than necessary. She slowly stepped backward, proceeding to leave.
Emrys, Mordred's voice breached Merlin's mind. There is nothing I can find that can discredit Lord Griflet's accusations. He has always been loyal to the crown.
Thank you for trying Mordred, responded Merlin. I won't let Morgana be sentenced to death. I promise you.
If whatever plan you have fails, do not expect me to sit back and watch Morgana die.
I'd never ask you of that, Merlin reassured him. But I do ask you to do a favour, bring me a dagger tonight.
Of course. I hope you do not fail.
"What are you planning?" came the curious voice of Morgana.
Merlin squinted to make out the figure of Morgana through the bars. "I'm planning to earn your forgiveness by saving your life."
Morgana was dragged through the doors into the throne room. The lords were gathered on the sides of the room in a line. Caradoc, Gareth and Griflet stood to the left, glaring her down. Arthur and Guinevere sat upon their thrones, their robes and crowns immaculate.
The guards pushed her to her knees in front of them, chains clanging together as her knees hit the ground. The guards continued to stand beside her, their hands firmly placed on her shoulders, as if that would stop her.
"Morgana Pendragon," Arthur stood. "You are summoned here today under the charges of attempted murder of Merlin, my manservant, and the murder of Sir Kaden. Do you have any defence against these charges?"
"I did not attempt to kill Merlin nor did I kill Kaden," she bit back the remark of his suicide, knowing that that would only make people doubt her more. "I have nothing to gain from killing either of them. True, if I were to kill Merlin, I could 'escape' but what is here that I would be escaping from? You, my king, have been nothing but kind and gracious to me. There is no reason for me to kill anyone within your court."
Arthur turned to Lord Griflet and the knights. "Do you, the accusers, offer any evidence that she killed Sir Kaden?"
"She doesn't need a reason to kill," Caradoc said through gritted teeth, tears beginning to form. "She's a monster. She killed my sister because she wouldn't swear loyalty to her as queen. And now she takes away my brother, my dear brother who had suffered a mental breakdown after you killed our sister."
"Do you honestly find yourself so important that I would waste my time destroying you? You mean nothing to me," Morgana sneered.
"Exactly," said Gareth, stepping forward. "She doesn't care about anyone. Even when you think you have her all figured out, she'll turn on you. Surely, all of you can see that she has blinded you with her beauty and lavish lies."
"Lord Griflet, please explain to me exactly what happened when Morgana supposedly killed Sir Kaden," Arthur said in a calm voice.
"Morgana and Merlin were fighting and Kaden stepped forward to defend Merlin, only to have Morgana kill him," Griflet explained.
"That's not what happened!" The doors burst open and Merlin skidded into the room to stop in front of Morgana, panting. "That's not what happened," he repeated, catching his breath.
"My lord! This manservant attacked me! I demand to have him removed from this hearing," Lord Griflet exclaimed, pointing at Merlin.
"Morgana supposedly tried to kill me, my lord, don't you think I deserve to be part of this hearing?" Merlin asked, knowing that Arthur would allow him to speak. "I merely ask to testify, Your Highness," Merlin said simply, looking at Arthur, praying that he wouldn't be a dollophead and send him back to the dungeons.
Arthur looked between his manservant and Guinevere, who gave him a subtle nod. "Speak."
"Your Highness, I must object—"
"Silence," Arthur held up a hand. "Go on, Merlin."
"It is true that Morgana and I were fighting before Kaden interfered. Although the fight was entirely my fault, I had disrespected her as my mistress," Merlin said, looking Arthur straight in the eye. "Sir Kaden must have heard us row and stepped in to dissolve it but I mistook his goodwill for ill when he stepped forward. As Morgana's bodyguard, I reacted as any bodyguard would." His eyes averted away from Arthur's to Lord Griflet's. "I quickly pushed in front of Lady Morgana defensively. Sir Kaden had drawn his own dagger which, as I stepped forward, impaled me, just as my own dagger stabbed him through the heart." He met Arthur's eyes again. "Morgana did not lay a finger on Sir Kaden. I killed him." He withdrew a dagger. It was a rather ornate dagger, one that would be used by a knight. "This is the dagger that had pierced my stomach, Gaius removed it from me when he treated me."
The lords and knights muttered between themselves at Merlin's words.
Griflet stepped in front of Merlin, facing Arthur. "This is preposterous! Morgana has obviously enchanted the boy."
"Do you have any evidence to support your claims?" Merlin asked calmly.
Griflet turned to Merlin, rage written across his face. "You have no clue what you've done, manservant," he spat.
"My Lord, with all due respect," Merlin continued, an innocent expression on his face. "Your only evidence is how you think Morgana reacted to the situation. You do not know Morgana as well as I do. She would never do anything this drastic that would put herself in jeopardy."
"Lord Griflet," Arthur spoke, secretly proud of Merlin for holding his own against a lord and happy that he had escaped from the dungeons, however he did it. "Please, I have come to a decision." His eyes scanned the group of people. This was the right thing to do. "Morgana Pendragon, I say that you are not guilty of the attempted murder of Merlin and the murder of Kaden." He met Merlin's eyes, smirking. "As for my manservant, he was only doing his job but he will spend a day in the stocks for his transgressions against Kaden and Lord Griflet."
"My Lord—" protest Griflet.
"This is my final decision."
"Where are you going?" Caradoc asked, stopping as the door shut behind him of Lord Griflet's chambers.
"Arthur does not deserve our loyalty. I am going to find a king who does," Lord Griflet said through gritted teeth, pushing his sword into his sheath.
"And Gareth?"
"Lord Griflet is right. Arthur does not deserve our loyalty. Let the witch kill him," Gareth replied coldly. "He has humiliated us enough."
"But your families have served under the King of Camelot for generations, how can you just leave?" Caradoc asked, incredulous.
"You tell me, how could you just leave your father?" Gareth countered.
"My father is evil," Caradoc said in a dangerously low voice.
"So is Morgana," Gareth said. "I'm not going to be here when she enacts her revenge again."
"Then why not stay and protect Camelot!" exclaimed Caradoc.
"There is nothing to stay for," Gareth replied, walking towards Caradoc and hugging him. "I'm sorry it has to be like this." He pulled back, looking sadly into Caradoc's bright blue eyes before placing a gentle kiss on his lips. "Goodbye Caradoc."
He watched numbly as his two best friends left him, bags packed on their shoulders as they slipped out of the palace. He began to walk out of Lord Griflet's chambers when pain wretched in his gut and he fell to the floor, panting, crying out for help.
"I'm proud of you," Gaius said, breaking the silence between him and his ward. "What you do was very noble and at least this time you used your head before barging in."
"Thanks Gaius," Merlin replied, gulping down some bread. "I couldn't let Morgana die for a crime she didn't commit."
"What really happened?" Gaius asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Sir Kaden stabbed me and I blacked out, I don't know what happened after that," Merlin replied. "But Morgana wouldn't have killed him, I know she wouldn't have."
"How do you know? If she suspected that you would come to her aid…"
"She wouldn't put herself in that much danger just to kill a knight she hardly knows," Merlin replied. "I know she wouldn't."
A soft knock on the door caused both the men to turn. Merlin got up from the table and crossed the room to open the door.
"Morgana."
She was wearing a white dressing gown, slightly transparent. Her dark hair fell around her face, which was clean of any makeup.
"I had to pretend to prepare for bed to not arouse suspicious from Sefa. Sweet girl," she explained.
"You're not allowed to be here," he sputtered, ignoring the attire she was wearing.
"Can't I thank the man who saved my life?" she asked innocently.
"It couldn't have waited until morning?"
"If you had waited until tomorrow morning to save my life, where would I have been?"
"Point taken," Merlin replied, opening the door for her to come in. Gaius had gotten to work cleaning the pots but Merlin didn't miss the way Gaius' eyes followed him suspiciously as he led Morgana into his room.
He shut the door softly, turning to find that Morgana had already sat down on his bed.
"We both know you lied for me today," she started off as Merlin awkwardly stood against the door.
"I couldn't let them accuse you of the crime you didn't commit," Merlin said, waving it off as if it was nothing, talking to the wall behind her.
"You blacked out, how did you know they were lying?" she asked, trying to meet his eyes.
His blue eyes locked with her own emerald ones. "Because I know you."
"You know nothing," she replied softly, almost challenging him.
"I know more than you think," he responded just as softly. Suddenly, she jumped up and slammed him against the door, her lips colliding with his. His hands found themselves wrapping around her as he pushed himself away from the door, kissing her harder. He moved away, "You haven't forgiven me yet maybe we should—" he was cut off when her mouth settled against his neck and began kissing him there.
She gave him a trademark smirk, their faces closer than what was proper. "Perhaps if you give me a good reason to forgive you, I might just do it." Merlin smiled at her wit before repeating what she had just done to him. His mouth trailed up her long neck to meet her lips again.
"Merlin, Caradoc—"
Merlin and Morgana sprung apart, hair both messed up, guilty looks on their faces.
"That's disgusting!" Mordred complained loudly, looking away and covering his eyes.
"Why?" Morgana demanded.
"You're like my mother!" Mordred exclaimed, before turning beet red. "And it's Merlin!"
"Thanks Mordred," Merlin said sardonically, "that makes me feel a whole lot better. What do you want?"
"Caradoc's dying," Mordred replied. "I found him in Lord Griflet's chambers, collapsed on the floor. Gareth and Griflet are nowhere to be found, but two guards saw them leave the castle."
"I'll heal him," Morgana offered.
"What? Why? He tried to have you killed," Merlin exclaimed. "It could be a trap."
"Somehow I don't think so," Morgana replied, stepping forward and pushing past Mordred.
Caradoc lay on one of the beds for the patients. The blood was drained from his face and he looked deathly pale. His dark hair was plastered to his head from the sweat. Morgana placed a hand over his heart, whispering words under her breath, eyes turning gold.
Caradoc gasped, back arching and his eyes burst open. Morgana stepped back and Mordred rushed forward.
"What happened?"
"Gareth and Griflet left. I stayed to protect Arthur from— you!" His eyes got sight of Morgana, who was standing beside Merlin.
"Don't worry," Mordred placed a hand on his arm. "She healed you."
"With magic?"
"Yes, Arthur has taught me to be merciful to my enemies," Morgana responded coolly.
"Do you know what happened?" Mordred asked. "Who did this to you?"
"I don't know but I'm thankful that I'm alive," Caradoc met Morgana's eyes. "I was only trying to protect Arthur. I couldn't protect my sister when you killed her."
"I'm sorry about your sister but I've changed. I hope I've shown you that," Morgana said sincerely.
Caradoc narrowed his eyes before deciding that she was being truthful. "I'm sorry that I tried to kill you."
"Apology accepted. Sorrow turns to anger and revenge is soon to follow. I understand completely."
I am so sorry! I didn't realize my mistake until yesterday but luckily I go this back from my amazing beta in time to post it to do. This should fill any gaps in the story. I'll try to have chapter 13 out maybe this week if I can before Wednesday, if not, it will be posted in a week or so. Thank you again for all your support and reviews! Long live the Merlin fandom! Any thought/suggestions/constructive criticism can be left down below in the review box :) Cheers!
~Fiery