"To the king and Queen!"
Everyone lifted their glasses and returned the toast in unison. The
feast commenced. Citizens from all over Camelot brought Arthur gifts.
Handcrafted trinkets and robes filled the tables. Royalty from across Albion were present. The kings: Godwyn, Rodor, Bayard, and Olaf brought fine jewels and
Queen Annis filled the table with treasures. Arthur was surprised to see King Alined among the guests and Princess Vivian gave him a forced smile.
The room filled with loud chatter. Arthur noticed Helen
and her mother and waved. Helen smiled and waved back timidly. Gwen
filled Arthur's head with glorious and hilarious tales. "And then he came back covered in horse dung!" The
table roared with laughter and sounds of disgust. "Really?" Arthur looked
at Merlin and he shrugged his shoulders. "Guilty. But let me tell you
it wasn't easy!" Gaius entered in and found a place at the table. After examining the mysterious resurrection of Will, he had so far found nothing. Mithian tugged on Merlin's sleeve and whispered in
his ear. He laughed joyfully and kissed her brow. Arthur was pleased.
"What a lovely occasion." The sinister voice awoke a familiar feeling of hatred in Arthur. The people gasped and the knights took arm. Morgana stood in the center of the room. Smiling wickedly at Arthur and Gwen.
Elric didn't hesitate and sent the ring of candles overhead plummeting towards her. She stopped it inches above her head, many gasping with fear. "How is this possible?" Arthur stood up and frowned. The scene sent chills down her spine. Morgana saw Uther in his actions. She
walked slowly towards him, her torn and stained dress dragging on the floor. "I have waited so long to see Camelot fall."
Merlin rapped a rope around her neck in an instant. Her eyes lit up and it snapped free. The room went silent and, for a moment, the powerful magicians
seemed alone. "Morgana, it's been a long time."
"Perhaps for you." She grinned.
"You're alive. Who'd you sacrifice?" It was well know that the bringing back of someone required the taking of a
life: a balance. Morgana shook her head. "None. This brought me back."
She held out the stone. "And many others it seems." She eyed Arthur.
"Others?" Gaius puzzled, thinking of the strange returns occurring in the kingdom.
Morgana let out a small breath. She then looked sharply at Merlin, eyes sparkling.
He grabbed his head, shrieking in pain. He fell to his knees along with half a dozen other wizards and witches in the room. Helen's mother wept as her little girl
cried and shriveled into a ball on the ground. "What have you done?! Arthur demanded. Gwen drew her sword and pointed it at Morgana's throat.
"Whatever it is you are doing, you will stop." Morgana whipped out her own knife and cut Gwen's arm; She did not flinch, but held her sword higher. With a flash of light Morgana disappeared. The crowd rushed to the inflicteds' sides. "Merlin!"
Guinevere joined a group trying to help the writhing sorcerer. Mithian tried to hold him down but had little success. Leon lifted him on to
his shoulders and carried him to his chambers. Servants prepared beds for the still howling victims and Gaius ran room from room examining
them. Merlin continued to thrash in the bed, Mithian holding back tears as she watched. Gaius entered stating he had had no luck with
the others. He held his own head briefly, wincing in pain. "Gaius are YOU alright?" Gwen asked worried.
"I'm fine," he reassured, then felt Merlin's brow. "Gaius what can we do?" Arthur asked. Gaius shook his head.
"I can only assume Morgana has enchanted them." Merlin's stirring began to die down, which only worried Gaius more. He excused himself to do research. Gwen comforted Mithian as best she could, fighting tears herself. Arthur ordered Leon to round up the entire army. They were going to find Morgana.