I don't own any characters other than Elle Knight. That credit goes to the BBC

25

Merlin knew it would happen. His secret was bound to come out eventually. He just had hoped that Arthur would be king, magic wouldn't be outlawed, and he wouldn't be tossed in the dungeon when the news finally came to light. It did him no good wishing for a different outcome, now. His fate was sealed the moment he saved Arthur's life. Merlin saw that in the hatred burning in Uther's eyes.

"Merlin?"

"Elle?" Merlin peered through the gloom and sure enough, Elle was pressed against the bars. She looked breathless, her dark eyes storming. She was also soaked through, her dress a bit torn and the hem was caked in mud. Clearly she'd been to the lake. "How did you get down here? There are guards…" She was reaching through the bars for him and he hurried to take her hands. They were both leaning into the metal that separated them, holding on for dear life.

"You think you're the only one that can distract a guard?" She laughed, but it was humorless.

Merlin breathed in the scent of her, trying to memorize it. He wanted that scent on his mind when…when the end came. "What's going on up there?"

"All hell's broken loose. Morgana lost it when she found out what happened. She told Uther if he had you…if he…" she cleared her throat, unable to say the words. "She said she'd kill him with her bare hands. She actually threatened him. She's been locked in her room. Uther's being careful that no one tries to break you out. Apparently he kept referncing 'that druid boy'. You really shot yourself in the foot helping him."

"And Arthur?"

"He's fine. I haven't been able to see him. He's been yelling at Uther. He's defending you." The bars were digging into her, but she pressed closer. She could hear his heart beating wildly, but his arms were secure around her. She needed that. She needed that sense of security and safety if she was going to be strong enough to make it through the day.

"You've been to the lake?" he asked.

Yes, Elle had gone to the lake. She had left Gaius' and practically flew out of the castle. Storm clouds gathered overhead, but she ignored them. She hadn't bothered worrying with her dress. She just dove into the water and screamed when the Sidhe's words tore into her. They were furious, aggressive, and they were painfully loud. Centuries of waiting, for nothing. Earth will crumble. Fire will gutter. Wind will blow away.

"What do I do?" Her words escaped in a rush of air bubbles.

Save him.

"How?"

Water : adaptable, swift, and joyful. Unstoppable. If Water's path is blocked, it will carve a new path. Align. Stand. They cannot. Water can. The path has changed.

"Tell me how."

Elle felt what could only be described as an angry growl pass through the water. Take it upon yourself. The wrath, the blame, the pain of separation, the loneliness. One hundred years in the water. Force the change.

Save him and what was once will be again.

They fell silent. Just like that, they were quiet and the magic that had drawn her to the lake time and again vanished as though it had never been.

That was all they gave her. Defeated Elle went back to the castle. That's where she heard Arthur hollering at his father. Gwen told her that Morgana had been locked in her room. The knights hadn't asked Gwen a thing. They'd simply come in, tore Merlin's room to shreds and left. They thought Merlin had enchanted Arthur, that he was using him to gain control of the kingdom…

Elle had nodded and walked resolutely into the dungeon, a new idea, a new path, already twisting and evolving like a living thing in her head. First she had to see Merlin.

Elle shrugged. She took a deep breath and got to the reason why she had snuck down in the first place. "Gaius stashed your things, Merlin. Uther's knights didn't find them, so that's nothing to worry about. You're going to have to be extra careful for a while, alright? No risks, understand, because I won't be here to clean up after you."

He shifted. "I don't understand."

"Just take care of them. And don't let Arthur be a bully. And keep Morgana sane, Merlin. Don't let her hold those visions alone. And…keep Gwen away from Lancelot. Please."

Merlin pulled away from her when he realized that Elle was crying. Outside thunder pealed angrily. "Elle, what are you talking about? What have you done?"

She just smiled and brushed a soft finger down his cheek. "I am going to miss you." She moved back with her eerie speed and Merlin's hands closed on empty air.

"Elle!"

"I want you to know that this is how it's supposed to be," she said as she moved toward the steps. "You live, Merlin. You're meant to live." She dashed up the steps and away from the look on his face.

Reviews are love…