Time Travel and TV

by The Potters of the Future

Merlin, Gaius, the knights of the roundtable and Gwen gather to watch Merlin.

34. The Castle of Fyrien

The Castle of Fyrien

'In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name: Merlin,' Kilgarrah began as usual.

It is night. Gwen puts out the candles in Morgana's chambers and yawns and walks home. Entering her house Gwen gasps when she finds a sinister man waiting for her.

Lancelot and Arthur look angry at the threat perceived to the women they both loved.

'What do you want?' demanded Gwen.

Gwen grabs a poker from the fireplace, but another man grabs her from behind and places a drugged cloth over her face, muffling her scream. Gwen passes out, and Morgana watches from her window as the men carry Gwen away on a horse.

'Morgana was behind it, wasn't she?' asked Gwen softly.

Merlin nodded, 'she realised how important you were to Arthur.'

In Arthur's chambers Merlin greets the young prince by a 'rise and shine!'

Arthur groaned, 'I hate that expression.'

Merlin grinned, 'you're not a morning person. In Ealdor in the summer we'd have to be up at the crack of dawn.'

'Can't you think of anything new to say?' demanded Arthur.

'I did,' Merlin said.

'They were even worse,' retorted Arthur.

'What?' asked Merlin nonplussed.

'Every morning it is the same thing,' Arthur complained.

'Oh, I'm sorry. How about: shake a leg? Up and at 'em? Let's have you lazy daisy...?

'See,' Merlin said.

'No, you don't like any of them, do you? Okay, er...I'm just gonna go before, before you decide to do something which...'

'Like throw something at me,' muttered Merlin darkly.

'When do I ever throw things at you?' asked Arthur straight faced.

'Do you really want me to answer that,' Merlin replied with a laugh.

Arthur throws a cup at Merlin.

'You were saying Arthur,' Gwen said amused.

Morgana enters and sits down to breakfast with Uther and Arthur.

'The building works in the lower town have been delayed. I want you to ensure it doesn't happen again,' Uther ordered.

'I'll see to it,' promised Arthur.

'Good morning, Morgana,' greets Uther.

Merlin moves to pour Morgana's drink, but she places her hand over the cup.

Merlin sighed guiltily, 'I'm sorry,' he muttered.

'You had no choice,' Arthur assured his friend.

'I know but I should have found another way,' Merlin said.

'You were barely holding yourself awake!' Gaius said sharply. 'Any longer and we'd all be in eternal sleep easy picking for Morgause.'

'No, thank you,' Morgana said wariness in her eyes.

'Anything the matter?' asked Uther having picked up on Morgana's less than happy mood.

'It's Gwen. She didn't turn up for work this morning,' Morgana said pointedly.

'She's trying to get to you,' Gwen sighed.

'I can see that,' Arthur said.

'Why do you think I didn't want her to come with us?' Merlin pointed out.

'That's not like her,' Arthur frowned looking worried.

'I know, it's strange. I hope nothing's wrong,' Morgana said non-subtly.

Gwaine snorted, 'subtle.'

'You needn't worry, Morgana. After all, if your maid can no longer be relied upon, we can easily replace her,' Uther said.

'I've only missed a day,' Gwen said defiantly.

'I'm sure she'll turn up soon enough,' Arthur reassured his sister.

'I'm sure,' Morgana agreed.

Outside in the corridor Arthur pulls Merlin aside.

'Go to Gwen's house, find out what's wrong. And Merlin, as quick as you can,' ordered Arthur.

'Yes, Sire,' Merlin agreed.

In Gwen's house Merlin looks around Gwen's house and finds the cloth she was drugged her with.

In the Castle of Fyrien Cenred and Morgause look at Elyan through the peek hole in his cell door.

'You found him, then?' Morgause states cooly.

'It was easy. He was exactly where Morgana said he'd be,' Cenred replied.

'Of course he was I'd spoke about Elyan,' Gwen said bitterly glaring at the image of her old best friend.

Gwen is dragged into the throne room of the Casle.

'Guinevere. I trust you had a pleasant journey,' Cenred said.

'Lovely,' Merlin said sarcastically.

'Why have you brought me to this place?' demanded Gwen.

'I have a guest. I thought you might like to meet him,' Cenred suggested.

Elyan is dragged out much to Gwen's shock.

'Elyan!' Gwen cried out in shock.

'Gwen!' Elyan cried out worriedly.

'Brother and sister reunited. It warms the heart,' Cenred said insincerely.

'If you had a heart,' muttered Arthur.

'What do you want from us?' demanded Elyan trying to hide his fear and protect his sister at the same time.

'All in good time,' Cenred.

Cenred and his men leave Gwen and Elyan alone in the throne room.

'Why are we here, Elyan? What've you done?' Gwen said exasperatedly.

'Why do you always blame me?' asked Elyan.

'I know you,' Gwen said straight faced.

'It wasn't Elyan's fault that time,' Arthur pointed out with a sigh.

'No,' agreed Gwen, 'but it's not the first thing something like this has happened.'

'I didn't do anything, I promise. I swear. I was at my forge and they just came for me. I tried to resist, but they drugged me. There was nothing I could do. What would a man like Cenred want with us?' asked Elyan desperately.

'Me,' Arthur grimaced.

'I wish I knew,' sighed Gwen.

Morgause and Cenred watch Gwen and Elyan from a hallway above.

'You are a cruel man, Cenred,' Morgause commented not looking unduly perturbed about this fact.

'Is it cruel to give them a moment alone? They will have much to discuss,' Cenred replied.

'Indeed,' Morgause agreed crisply.

'Besides, the more she feels for her brother's plight, the more she'll do for us,' Cenred said.

Merlin enters Arthur's with the drugged cloth he found in Gwen's house.

'What's that?' asked Arthur.

'I found it at Gwen's,' Merlin replied.

'It's a scrap of cloth,' Arthur said.

'Your powers of observation astound me,' Gwen said drily.

'I know,' Merlin replied.

'She's a seamstress. How could that possibly be important?' Arthur demanded harsh due to his worry.

'Smell it,' Merlin said.

'No thanks,' Arthur said deeply affronted.

'Just smell it,' Merlin ordered.

Arthur takes the cloth and inhales deeply.

Gaius groaned, 'sniff not inhale.'

'What are you...?' Merlin asks.

Arthur passes out and Merlin magically pulls out a chair to catch Arthur until Arthur comes around.

'What is that?' Arthur asked blinking slightly.

'It's a compound of hogswart and phylarian,' Merlin replied.

'You have learnt something of herbs after all,' Gaius looks very pleased at this.

'Argh, what?' Arthur doesn't seem his normal self yet.

'I'm just guessing,' Merlin said quickly.

'You could knock a man out with that,' Arthur said.

'As you just did,' Merlin added with a cheery grin.

'Yes. Or a woman,' suggested Merlin/

Elyan is removed from the throne room.

'Where have you taken Elyan?' demanded Gwen.

'He's safe. For now,' warned Cenred.

'How do I know that?' Gwen questioned.

'We can talk about your brother later. I want to talk about you, and what you can do for me,' Cenred suggested.

'What could I possibly do for you?' asked Gwen.

'You can bring me Arthur Pendragon,' Cenred said coldly.

'I'm just a servant, I have no influence with the Prince,' Gwen lied.

'You were never just a servant,' Arthur said softly.

Cenred laughs, 'I think we both know that's not true.'

'I don't know what you're talking about,' Gwen lied.

'Enough! You will bring him here. I don't care how you do it, all I care is that it is done. You have a week,' Cenred said.

'And if I do not?' asked Gwen.

'Then I'll let you watch while I tear your brother's heart out,' Cenred said.

Elyan shuddered, 'is that even possible.'

'With magic,' Merlin said grimly. 'I somehow doubt that it is Cenred who would do the dirty work.'

In the Chamber of Doom Arthur is trying to convince his father to go after Gwen.

'It won't work,' sighed Gaius. 'Uther's as stubborn as you and cares little for servants.'

'The guards saw her leave the palace at the usual time. After that, nothing,' Arthur said.

'Why are you telling me this?' asked Uther.

'Because the princess is in love,' grinned Gwaine.

'Sire, I have reason to believe that Guinevere has been kidnapped,' Arthur said.

'Arthur, you and I both know that your father cares not about the life of one servant,' Gwen said softly.

'Kidnapped?' Morgana asked faking worry.

'I'd like to organise a search party,' Arthur said.

'I hardly think that would be appropriate,' Uther replied levelly.

'Father?' asked Arthur.

'She's just a serving girl,' Uther retorted.

'She's the maid to the King's ward,' Arthur argued.

'Very well. Send a squad of guards to search the lower town,' Uther relented reluctantly.

'I'm surprised he relented that much,' Gaius murmured, 'Uther isn't known for relenting.'

'And the countryside,' Arthur pushed.

'They have until nightfall,' Uther said finally.

'Father, I'm not sure I can achieve...' Arthur began to be cut off by the king.

'Arthur, I have a kingdom to protect. I cannot waste precious resources on a servant, whatever their circumstances,' Uther said.

Arthur sighed, 'I think it is a king's duty to protect their subjects no matter what their class.'

Morgana wakes the next morning as Gwen gathers her laundry.

'Gwen? Where have you been?' Morgana asked faking shock.

'Like you don't know,' muttered Arthur muttered darkly.

'I'm sorry, My Lady, I was unwell,' Gwen lied.

'You don't need to lie to her!' spat Arthur. 'She planned the whole thing!'

'Technically she didn't,' Merlin said. 'That was Morgause. Morgana just let you know something was wrong.'

'Are you better now?' asked Morgana.

'Like you care,' Arthur muttered darkly.

'Much better, thank you,' Gwen lied tightly.

'Well, don't tire yourself out. Whatever you need to do, I'm sure it can wait,' Morgana said kindly.

Gwen bumps into Merlin in the phoenix corridor and falls down, dropping Morgana's laundry. Merlin helps her pick it up.

'Gwen! I've been searching the whole town for you. Arthur's been worried sick,' Merlin said.

'That's very sweet of him. I just had a cold, that's all,' Gwen lied badly.

'I went to your house, Gwen, you weren't there,' Merlin said.

'Oh, no, erm...I, er...was just...' Gwen began stuttering.

'You're a really bad liar,' commented Gwaine.

Merlin notices Gwen's bruised wrists.

'Who did that to you?' Merlin asked looking at Gwen with concern.

'No one, it was an accident,' Gwen lied.

'No accident can cause that kind of mark,' Gaius said grimly.

'Gwen. Look at me,' Merlin said holding on to the injured arm.

'It's fine. I'm fine,' Gwen tried to lie but breaks down crying.

In Gwen's house Merlin prepares Gwen some tea and sits with her at her kitchen table.

'What I don't understand is how they knew,' Gwen said.

'About?' asked Merlin causing Gwen to look at Arthur warily not wanting to come out about her and Arthur's mutual and highly forbidden feelings towards one another. 'Arthur's feelings for you. It's common knowledge Arthur would lay down his life for any of his subjects. Cenred could've taken anyone.'

'Did you know it was Morgana?' asked Arthur.

'I suspected,' Merlin said grimly.

'Why?' asked Arthur.

'It was obvious,' Merlin said. 'Those who are close enough to figure out your relationship are few and far between. Those include you and Gwen – neither of you are going to betray the other, Lancelot, Gaius and myself who would never betray either of you! The only other one who is close enough to both you to know who would happily betray you is Morgana!'

'Do you really believe that?' asked Gwen softly.

'No,' Merlin said grimly, 'but would you really believe if I told you the truth about Morgana.'

'I wouldn't want to,' Gwen said softly.

'None of us would,' Leon/arthur

'All I know is you're back home safe with your friends. You don't have to face this alone,' Merlin said.

'Like you do,' sighed Gwen.

'Yes I do, Merlin. This is my problem. I can't involve Arthur. I won't,' Gwen said.

'Arthur's already involved,' Merlin pointed out.

'Not if I don't tell him about it,' Gwen said.

'Then Elyan would have died,' Merlin said softly.

'Gwen. If Arthur was in trouble, wouldn't you want him to come to you?' Merlin asked softly.

'You know I would,' Gwen replied immediately.

In Arthur's chambers Merlin, Arthur and Gwen talk about their plan.

'The Castle of Fyrien, I'm sure of it,' Arthur said.

'Never even heard of it,' Merlin said.

Hunith smiled, 'you're from another kingdom, of course you haven't.'

'It's not a very well-known castle anyway, just a trading post,' Arthur said.

'No I had never heard of it before we ended up there,' Gwen said.

'Fyrien was a merchant,' explained Arthur whilst Morgana listens at the door.

'He built a castle on the sea of Marador as an outpost for trade routes to the east, but when war broke out with Caerleon, the trade dried up. The castle was abandoned,' Arthur explained.

'And so it's ruined now?' asked Merlin.

'Well, no. It was built to withstand anything. For Cenred, it's the perfect hideout,' Arthur said.

'Which is bad for you,' pointed out Gwaine.

'Yeah we know,' Merlin agreed.

'Doesn't sound like an easy place to get into,' Merlin said.

'It isn't,' Arthur agreed. 'It will be well defended.'

'I'm sorry, I shouldn't've brought this to you,' Gwen said with a sigh.

'You did the right thing. Your brother will come to no harm, I promise,' Arthur said gently.

'How can you be so sure?' Gwen looked up at Arthur.

'Because we're going to rescue him,' Arthur said determinedly.

'Well obviously you did,' grinned Gwaine.

'What do you mean "we"?' demanded Merlin.

'Like you wouldn't go off on your own anyway,' snorted Gwen.

'Well yes,' agreed Merlin.

'The three of us,' Arthur said.

'Cenred wants you dead. That's why he's doing this,' Gwen said worrying about her prince.

'Worried about your prince,' snickered Gwaine.

'I know. Cenred's wanted Camelot's throne for as long as I can remember,' Arthur sighed.

'Then we'll be walking into a trap,' Merlin said.

'And I can't exactly use magic in front of Arthur and Gwen,' Merlin said darkly.

'Not necessarily,' Arthur said carefully.

'If only you hadn't invited Morgana along for the trip,' Merlin said.

'Hey,' Arthur retorted.

'We didn't know about Morgana,' sighed Gwen.

That night the two witch sisters meet up to discuss the day's events.

'Sister. Is everything in place?' Morgause asks.

'Arthur's taken the bait,' Morgana replies.

'So he means to rescue her brother?' asks Morgause.

'Just as we thought. There is nothing he would not do for her,' Morgana said.

'Excellent. And he comes alone, I take it?' Morgause checks.

'Uther would never sanction an army for such a task,' Morgana said scornfully.

'Unfortunately she's right,' Arthur said bitterly.

'He rides with just Gwen and Merlin,' Morgana replies.

'Perfect. He is as good as ours,' Morgause says.

'If only our warlock wasn't there to mess your plans up,' grinned Gwaine.

'Our warlock?' demanded Merlin.

Gwaine just shrugged grinning, 'you know it's true.'

'And once he is dead?' Morgana asked.

'Why, then you are Uther's only child, and when the time is right, you may take your place on the throne of Camelot,' Morgause said.

'Father would probably have to claim Morgana as his heir so that he would have a successor should anything happen,' Arthur said grimly.

'Then Morgana would kill Uther,' Merlin said grimly.

'And Morgana would become queen,' Arthur said.

'Sooner than she did,' agreed Gwaine.

'Shut up Gwaine,' Arthur snapped causing Gwaine to grin.

The next day Uther is answering letters in the castle Chamber of Doom when Merlin and Arthur enter. Merlin following behind Arthur for once looking slightly respectful of Arthur. A fact that Gwaine could not help but point out.

'You're actually acting like a servant,' Gwaine gasped shocked.

'I always do when Uther's around,' Merlin pointed out.

'You're scared of him, aren't you,' Gwen said softly.

'For good reason,' Merlin said pointedly causing Arthur to frown slightly but was unable to argue with Merlin there.

'Father,' Arthur greeted.

'Hmm?' Uther says not looking up as he picked up his quill. 'What is it?' asked Arthur's father.

'It's, er...it's slightly awkward,' Arthur said trying to look awkward by looking down at the table as the door shut.

'Oh?' Uther asked not looking up at his son as he continued writing.

'I was drawn into a wager...and I lost,' admitted Arthur.

Gwaine grinned, 'really that's the excuse you use!?'

'Well it's not as bad as when Gaius repeatedly uses the "he's in the tavern" excuse when I don't drink!' Merlin said shaking his head.

'I can't believe you don't drink,' Gwaine said honestly.

'The last time I drunk I managed to set Will's tunic on fire,' Merlin retorted. 'And that's if I didn't let it slip what I was!'

'Arthur, you know how I disapprove of gambling,' Uther said tone darkening but still refusing to look at his only son.

'What's wrong with a good bit of healthy gambling?' Gwaine asked with a grin.

Merlin snorted, 'what you call healthy gambling is not healthy. You do remember how many boots we had to polish to pay back Arthur for your debts?'

Gwaine grinned, 'you're the one who had Arthur pay.'

'The tavern owner would have killed us both!' Merlin said.

'I know. I'm sorry...' Arthur said not looking sorry as he walked around the table.

'How much do you owe?' Uther asked.

'Two silk dresses,' Arthur replied.

That response caused Uther to look sharply at his son who was approaching him, 'excuse me?'

'Must think that Arthur had bet with Leon,' grinned Gwaine.

'Shut up, Gwaine,' Leon snapped.

'Why does everyone say that?' complained Gwaine.

'Because you don't shut up,' Merlin suggested.

'Either do you,' pointed out Arthur.

'Well, at least enough silk to have them made, anyway,' Arthur continued.

'What kind of wager was this, exactly?' Uther said looking incredulous.

'It was Morgana's idea,' Arthur replied.

Uther laughs, 'I should have guessed.'

'Well who else would I bet with who would want silk dresses,' Arthur asked.

'Really, Arthur, you should know better than to bet against Morgana,' Uther said humour in his voice as he blew some dust of the parchment before him.

'She's always had the best poker face,' sighed Arthur.

'I know. The thing is, the cloth cannot be obtained in Camelot,' Arthur said moving back towards the other end of the table and Merlin. 'So, I'm going to have to leave the city for a couple days,' Arthur explained.

'I'd get going if I were you,' Uther said continuing to write. 'Don't want to keep her waiting. She'll have your guts,' Uther said.

'Literally,' Merlin muttered darkly.

'Thank you, Father,' Arthur said turning and leaving with Merlin trailing behind him.

Sometime later Merlin was back in the physician's chambers that he shared with Gaius. Merlin was packing his bags for their travels as he spoke with Gaius. Gaius was looking concerned with the events.

'Morgana? Are you certain?' Gaius asked approaching Merlin.

'Yeah. She's been feeding Cenred information,' Merlin says as he packs. 'How else would he know about Arthur's feelings for Gwen?' Merlin pointed out as he turned to stare at a grim faced Gaius continuing to pack.

'You are more than a little obvious about it,' Merlin said. 'Anyone who's spent more than a little time with the two of you can see it.'

'Then there's no denying it,' Gaius said.

'No. And if I could just go to Arthur and tell him what I know...' Merlin said sounding frustrated.

'If only everyone's word carried the same weight,' sighed Arthur.

'But you can't. It'd be your word against Morgana's, and she's the King's daughter,' Gaius reminded Merlin.

'Like I don't know that,' Merlin said darkly.

'I know. She's found Arthur's weak spot,' Merlin said.

'Well, Arthur can't sacrifice himself for Gwen's brother,' Gaius said.

'I wasn't about to let Elyan die!' Arthur said sharply.

'But he is right,' Elyan said. 'You're the prince you can't die for me!'

'No, of course not. We're going to rescue him instead,' Merlin said simply.

'You're going to snatch this boy from under Cenred's nose? You and Arthur? Morgana knows nothing of this?' Gaius said sounding doubtful.

'She wouldn't have if Arthur hadn't invited her along,' Merlin said darkly.

'I didn't know,' Arthur reminded Merlin.

'I know,' Merlin sighed. 'It just made things difficult trying to protect you and Gwen, save Elyan, stop Morgana, Morgause and Cenred. All without revealing the fact that I have magic.'

Merlin scoffs, 'no.'

'Merlin, look after yourself,' Gaius says looking concerned.

Later that day Merlin prepares the horses for Arthur, Gwen and himself. That was when Morgana approached in travelling clothes. The look that Morgana and Merlin shared was full of a hidden malice for each other.

'Aren't you forgetting something?' Morgana asked coolly.

'I don't think so,' Merlin responded.

'But I'm coming with you. Didn't Arthur say?' Morgana asked pretending to be surprised.

'No, he didn't,' Merlin said grimly.

Arthur hops over the Courtyard Corridor ledge dresses in his chainmail completely oblivious to the tension between his sister and servant. Or if he noticed it presumed it was the feelings that Arthur was convinced they held for one another. How wrong Arthur was.

'Don't just stand there, Merlin. We need another horse,' Arthur said.

'Why didn't you tell me she was coming?' Merlin whispered.

'Letting a bit of your true feelings for Morgana show there,' Gwaine said amused.

'Why should I? What difference does it make to you?' asked Arthur.

'I think it's a bad idea,' Merlin warned.

'Do you have any idea how hard it is to try and protect you when I can't speak out about your enemies!?' demanded Merlin.

'I'm getting an idea,' Arthur said grimly.

'Who's going to watch my back if we get into trouble?' Arthur asked.

'Harsh,' laughed Gwaine, 'considering Merlin's your main protector.'

'I am,' Merlin retorted sounding insulted.

Arthur snorts, 'come on, she's a darn sight better with a sword than you'll ever be, and you know it.'

'Yeah but I'm better at magic than she is,' Merlin said proudly, 'and more powerful than she will ever be even if I can't show it as much as she does!'

'Besides, she insisted,' Arthur admitted.

'Of course, she did,' snorted Merlin. 'She was lying a trap for you so she could kill you and take your place!'

'I bet she did,' Merlin said darkly.

Merlin turns to look at the witch who was the cause of so much trouble. Morgana who was sorting out her own horse a white stallion turns back to look at Merlin with a look of absolute loathing come from Merlin's betrayal of her. Merlin just stared back at the young woman who he had once counted as a friend.

'How did we miss all those looks of loathing?' asked Arthur.

'You saw what you wanted to see,' Merlin sighed.

'She really hates you,' Gwaine said.

'I did poison her,' Merlin sighed, 'before she went completely evil. I blame myself for what Morgana became.'

'You had no choice,' Arthur said with a sigh.

'I didn't even look for another way,' Merlin said.

'You were almost unconscious too,' Arthur said.

'I know I just wish there had been another way,' Merlin said.

The four of them ride out of Camelot making a fast pace. Sometime later they reach a thick wooded area where they are riding at a more sedate pace. The sound of crows is in the air causing Gwen to look around the woods warily that Arthur notices and is quick to reassure her.

'I used to be afraid of these woods,' Arthur said.

'I remember that,' Leon said amused.

'I find that hard to believe,' Gwen said an uneasy laugh in her voice.

'My father would bring me here when I was a boy, and it seemed every falling leaf was a bandit, every puff of wind was a ghost. You just get used to it in the end,' Arthur reassured Gwen.

'I don't think I'd ever get used to it,' Gwen said staring around uneasily.

'You don't have to. You've got me,' Arthur reassured her.

Gwen and Arthur smile at each other love in both of their eyes. Arthur remembers he's not alone with Gwen and looks back to see Merlin's grin. Arthur clearly is not happy that he is observed by his manservant.

'What I mean is, in the event of an attack we'll watch out for each other,' Arthur said.

'You're not fooling anyone,' snorted Merlin.

'Morgana, I think I can rely on your protection?' Arthur asked.

'Sure,' snorted Merlin. 'It's not like she's planning to murder you and take your throne or anything.'

'Of course,' Morgana lied.

'And Gwen, you'll look after Merlin, won't you?' Arthur asked causingGwen to giggle.

'Thanks, Gwen,' Merlin rolled his eyes. 'I really wish people would take me seriously.'

Morgana looks unhappy at the idea a sneer curling on her face. Merlin wears a half smile clearly not happy at how once again he is underestimated but not wanting to say anything in the presence of his enemy. The four of them ride on.

Later on the four of them stop to make camp by a riverside. Arthur gathers up firewood in order to make a fire whilst Merlin and Gwen unloads the horses. Gwen is having trouble with her horse which Arthur notices but doesn't seem to want to do anything with Merlin present.

Arthur stands up, 'go get some more firewood, would you Merlin?' Arthur orders.

Merlin swings one of the leather satchels over his back, 'I thought Morgana was doing that?' Merlin asked not daring to look at Arthur in case he saw the storm of emotions in his currently blue eyes.

'You really didn't notice the hated between Morgana and Merlin?' asked Lancelot.

'We saw what we wanted to,' Gwen said sadly.

Lancelot had no answer to that statement except to give Gwen a long look that no one but Merlin and Gwen noticed. Gwen blushed and turned away. Merlin discretely kicked Lancelot turning his attention back to the strange screen.

'Well, go and see if she's alright,' Arthur ordered.

'Why wouldn't she be?' Merlin asked grinning clearly knowing what it was Arthur really wanted.

'You just didn't want to go find Morgana,' Percival said softly.

'I don't know, maybe there are wolves in these woods,' Arthur said raising his voice slightly and sounding annoyed at Merlin's refusal to leave.

'And Arthur just wants time alone with Gwen,' Merlin said amused.

Merlin grinned as he continued to take more bags off of the horse, 'no...' Merlin said visibly amused at Arthur's antics where Gwen was involved. 'I don't think so.'

'Merlin...' growled Arthur.

Arthur mouths "you" and jerks his head away from the campsite. Merlin looks over at Gwen understandingly. Arthur nods realising that his servant and friend has finally gotten his not too subtle hints.

'You are lucky that Guinevere was looking the other way,' Gaius said.

'Oh, yeah. Yeah, of course. The wolves,' Merlin said.

'You are such a bad liar,' Gaius shook his head.

Merlin quickly drops the bags he had taken off the horse to the ground and hurries off leaving the prince and the servant alone at the campsite. Arthur watches him go with annoyance and disbelief in his eyes. Gwen continues to struggle to untie a bag from her saddle.

'You need some help with that?' Arthur asks approaching Gwen.

'Thanks,' Gwen said allowing Arthur to help her.

In the woods both Morgana is carrying a pile of firewood watching her step as she does so. Merlin approaches Morgana hitting a small stick off a branch not looking concerned about the collection of firewood. Morgana does not seem happy to see Merlin's approach.

'What do you want Merlin?' Morgana demanded.

Morgana looks up once at Merlin but then continues to pick up wood for fire. Morgana is clearly trying to look as though the presence of her poisoner does not bothering her at all when it was. Merlin clearly sees right through her act.

'Arthur sent me. He wanted to make sure that you were OK,' Merlin replied calmly as bent down to pick up wood himself.

'How very thoughtful of him,' Morgana said angrily as though she meant the opposite glaring up at Merlin from the forest floor as she continued to gather up wood.

'Well, he cares for you,' Merlin said approaching Morgana. 'You know, Gwen too,' Merlin continued approaching Morgana as Morgana walked in the opposite direction clearly not wanting to have the conversation at all. 'They're your friends, Morgana. They've always been loyal to you,' Merlin said.

'She's gone too far in her hatred, bitterness and desire for revenge to see that,' Gaius sighed.

'I know,' Merlin said guilt in his blue eyes.

'Why are you telling me this?' demanded Morgana standing up and facing her enemy.

'Because I don't understand how anyone would want to hurt their friends,' Merlin replied.

'No, you just poison them,' spat Morgana causing Merlin to look down at his feet guilt clear in his face.

Merlin flinched at that remark even if it was so long ago it still hurt. Merlin still felt the guilt and pain and grief and helplessness of that day. Merlin knew that it was his worst day and the choice he would regret the most even if there had been no other choice at the time.

'That's completely different!' Percival spat out sounding angry. 'You were doing so to save the whole of Camelot! Morgana wants Prince Arthur and Gwen dead because she wants the throne!'

'You'd do well, Merlin, to stay out of things that do not concern you,' Morgana warned.

'That's a threat if I've ever heard one,' snorted Gwaine.

'Oh, but they do concern me,' Merlin said calmly and coolly approaching Morgana, 'cause they're my friends too,' Merlin and Morgana approached one another. 'And I'll do whatever it takes to protect them,' Merlin swore.

'Did that happen a lot?' asked Arthur.

'What?' asked Merlin.

'The secret battle going on under our noses,' Leon replied.

'Yes, yes it did,' Merlin said grimly.

'I would expect nothing less,' Morgana replies dumping her pile of firewood leaving Merlin to do her work for her.

Gwen carries gear between her horse and the fire pit while Arthur sits trying to light the campfire. Arthur is clearly having some trouble getting the fire to light without proper firewood. Arthur watches Gwen.

'Sit for a moment. You're wearing me out just watching you,' Arthur says as Gwen places a bucket down by the campfire.

'It's good to keep busy. Stops me thinking too much,' Gwen explained.

'I'm sorry I caused you so much worry,' Elyan said.

'It wasn't your fault,' Arthur said.

'It was mine,' Gwen said softly.

'No it wasn't,' Arthur said sharply. 'It was mine. It was me they wanted!'

Merlin rolled his eyes, 'it was none of your faults! It was Morgause, Morgana and Cenred who were to blame!'

'Cause you're worried about Elyan,' Arthur says.

Arthur and Gwen's eyes connect as Arthur looks up at the serving girl. Before Arthur turns his attention back to starting the fire. Gwen meanwhile pauses and then sits down by the fire pit to speak to Arthur.

'I'm always worried about Elyan,' Gwen admitted. 'He's just one of those people, never settled down, never thinks about the future; just follows his heart wherever it leads him.'

'You say that like it's a bad thing,' Elyan smiled at his sister.

'That's what Arthur said,' Gwen said amused.

'Well he's right,' Arthur said.

'You make being Prince sound like such a bad thing,' Merlin said rolling his eyes.

'It's a lot of pressure,' Gaius reminded Merlin.

'And being Emrys isn't!' Merlin pointed out.

Hunith cleared her throat, 'I'm going to put the vegetables on for dinner.'

'I'll help,' Gwen said.

'It's okay Gwen I can do so fine on my own even with all these strange tools,' Hunith shook her head. 'Just glad someone left a detailed list of instructions.'

'Doesn't sound so bad,' Arthur said.

'Well, it wouldn't be, except he always manages to be in the wrong place at the wrong time,' Gwen said.

'Well, I don't think it's his fault this time,' Arthur pointed out.

'No,' Gwen agreed. But even if it was, I'd still be there for him.It's what you do when you love someone, isn't it? ...' Gwen trailed off staring at Arthur who looked back. 'If anything happens to you, I won't forgive myself.'

'Don't worry I'll look after him,' Merlin said.

'Way to ruin the moment,' Gwaine laughed.

'Shut up Gwaine,' Merlin retorted.

'Don't worry. It won't,' Arthur promised.

Arthur and Gwen continue to stare into one another's eyes before Arthur breaks eyes contact looking back down at the still unlit fire. Arthur returns to trying to light the fire with the flints. Gwen seeing the trouble Arthur is having kneels down beside him taking the flints of the prince.

'What's wrong with these things?' Arthur demands angrily.

'I don't think it's the flints,' grinned Merlin.

'Like you'd know,' snorted Arthur. 'You could just make the fire.'

'Well yes,' agreed Merlin, 'but I know how to make fire without magic.'

'And if you're having trouble you can then use magic,' Gwaine added.

'Not if I'm being observed,' Merlin said grimly.

'Here, let me,' Gwen said softly.

Gwen sparks the flints once but nothing happens. Then Gwen sparks then again managing to light the fire on her second try. Gwen seemed to be hiding a smirk whilst Arthur looked slightly put out at the easiness of Gwen's fire making skills.

'Was that a pout?' laughed Merlin.

'Merlin-'Arthur said warningly.

'-Shut up,' laughed Merlin.

'You got it,' Arthur replied.

'I'm a blacksmith's daughter, remember?' Gwen reminded Arthur.

Hunith came back in to tell them that at the end of this story dinner would be ready whilst they watched the next story. It was a good thing because they were beginning to get hungry as the sky darkened outside the window. It was a late dinner.

'Mmm,' Arthur murmured.

Arthur and Gwen lean in to kiss but break apart suddenly as they are interrupted. Morgana walks into the camp empty handed not looking happy but looks amused at having interrupted her brother and servant. Merlin is carrying the pile of wood that Morgana had collected. Merlin pauses when he sees the position Arthur and Gwen were in until they had interrupted.

'Great timing, Merlin,' snorted Gwaine.

'I think I may have missed a twig back there. Erm..would you like me to go and get it?' Merlin asked awkwardly.

Gwen quickly begins to set about with the pots and pans doing the work that she would have done had Arthur not been there. Arthur meanwhile glares at Merlin for his interruption of his time with Gwen. Gwen looks about as happy as Arthur is.

'I could go,' Merlin mouths.

The image changes to sometime later in the evening if the darkening background was anything to go by. The four travellers sit around the campfire, finishing dinner. Gwen's fire helped by Merlin and Morgana's firewood burnt on.

'Cenred's chosen his hideout well,' Arthur said seriously. 'Now, the Castle of Fyrien backs onto the sea, we will be vastly outnumbered, and his lookouts will spot us well before we've reached the gates. So, we can't go that way.'

'But there's no other way, surely?' Morgana said.

'Yes, there is,' Arthur disagreed.

'Don't tell her that,' Gwaine rolled his eyes.

'Erm, more beans? Anyone?' Merlin offered hoping to stop the talks of plans.

'No thanks,' Arthur says giving Merlin a confused look.

Merlin offers some to Gwen who shakes her head. Morgana glares at Merlin being the only one who can see through Merlin's act to see exactly what it is Merlin is trying to do. Merlin is clearly worried about Morgana finding out their plans and for good reason.

When Caerleon was defeated by my father at the Battle of Danaria, he retreated to the Castle of Fyrien and it seemed a victory would be denied us, but my father knew of a secret labyrinth beneath the castle,' Arthur explained as Merlin continued to eat his beans.

'And now Morgana knows that,' Leon sighed.

'A labyrinth?' asked Morgana not looking happy causing the two servants to turn towards her.

'Fyrien was greedy. So, to avoid Camelot's levies, he dug tunnels from the castle to the sea. That way he could smuggle goods into the kingdom without anyone knowing,' Arthur explained.

'Typical nobleman,' Gwaine said bitterly.

'And you ambushed Caerleon using these old tunnels,' Morgana understood with a cold smile.

'He never saw us coming. And neither will Cenred,' Arthur said.

'If I had only seen Morgana for what she was,' Arthur said bitterness and regret in his voice.

Morgana may have been smiling but she did not look happy. Probably because it would be hard for her sister and Cenred to find her in the labyrinth meaning they could not trap and kill Arthur. Merlin looked about as happy as Morgana but that was because Morgana now knew their plan.

Once again the scene changed to later that night where Morgana meets Morgause in the woods. There was fog all about the two of them as they spoke. Morgana was clearly going to tell Morgause all about Arthur's plans.

'So they are heading for the castle as planned?' Morgause confirmed.

'Yes, but Arthur means to catch you unawares,' Morgana warns hatred for her brother clear on her pale face.

'She really hates me,' Arthur said softly.

'Morgana hates everyone,' Merlin said softly, 'except Morgause nowadays. She's been warped by Morgause, hatred, fear and bitterness … and betrayal.'

'What do you mean?' Morgause queried.

'He knows of some tunnels beneath the castle,' Morgana explained.

'So she knows everything,' Arthur sighed.

'Apparently,' agreed Merlin frowning. 'It explains a lot. I had thought that Morgause was tracking Morgana.'

'There must be a secret entrance. Did he say where?' questioned Morgause.

'Thankfully Arthur didn't mention it,' Merlin sighed in relief.

'I'm sorry, that's all I know,' Morgana admitted.

'Which is bad enough,' Merlin said darkly.

'Anymore would be disastrous,' agreed Gaius.

'It already was,' Merlin said grimly.

'Then your work is not yet done, Sister. When you find the entrance, you must lead us to it,' Morgause tells Morgana.

'But how?' asked Morgana.

The two sisters look down as Morgause pulls out a ring. The ring is silver with three amber coloured stones in them. One of which was smaller than the other two. If Morgause was giving it to her sister it was likely magical.

'Magical?' asked Arthur.

'Most likely,' agreed Merlin. 'And if it isn't it soon will be.'

'What do you mean,' frowned Arthur.

'Certain gems and metals with the correct properties can be imbued with magic of one type or another,' Merlin explained.

'As Morgause was unaware of your plan she's probably making it on the spot,' Gaius added.

'Lære us, forþbrenge us, ætlæde us. Heofoncandel ure,' Morgause's eyes flashed gold as did the amber stones.

'So what was the spell?' asked Arthur.

'Guide us, bring us forth, lead us. Your cunning heavenly candle,' Merlin replied.

'When you are certain that you are alone, cast it upon the ground. Its magic will guide us,' Morgause instructed.

Morgana takes the ring from her older sister without saying anything. The witch then turns away from her sister so that she can return to the camp. Morgause watches her sister stride off into the distance.

Back at camp Gwen and Arthur are asleep whilst Merlin pretends to be asleep. Arthur is clutching his sword even in his sleep. Clearly only Merlin is aware of Morgana's disappearance in the dark of the night.

'You sleep with your sword,' snickered Gwaine.

Morgana returns to the campsite. Morgana is careful not to make a sound. Otherwise Arthur and Gwen would have had questions about where she had been and climbs under her blankets. Merlin turns to see that she's returned.

The image changes to the campsite the next morning with the four preparing to leave. Currently Merlin is reloading the horse. Morgana is preparing to mount her horse whilst Merlin watches his enemy warily.

'Trouble sleeping?' Merlin speaks.

Morgana turns to glare at Merlin, 'if you have a problem, Merlin, why don't you try talking to Arthur about it?' Merlin glared causing Morgana to smirk.

Gaius sighed, 'we couldn't say anything to either you or your father. You cared too much about Morgana. Never mind her being a noblewoman, the king's ward and illegitimate daughter. We could have ended up in a lot of trouble to say the least!'

'I plan to change that when I become king,' Arthur said.

'You've already begun to,' Gaius said gently.

'Commoner knights,' Merlin agreed then he grinned, 'and courting a serving girl.'

'Merlin,' growled Arthur.

'Shut up,' Merlin finished.

'No? Well, keep your mouth shut, then,' Morgana snapped.

The image changes to when the four are on the road once more. Merlin is looking around for something. There is an unkind look in Merlin's eyes. Then the young warlock spots a snake as they ride through the woods.

'Nædre Morganam forgripe,' Merlin whispers.

Merlin's eyes flash gold as he activates his magic. The snake rears up which causes Morgana's horse to spook. Morgana screams as Morgana's horse throws the evil sorceress. Merlin turns around at the scream jumping off the horse and rushing to Morgana's side. Arthur and Gwen follow Merlin. Gwen and Merlin help Morgana stand up.

'Are you alright?' demanded Merlin.

'Ow, my leg,' Morgana says trying to stand on her leg.

'Can you walk?' asked Arthur sharply.

'No, it's your ankle. You need to rest it,' Merlin ordered keep a hand on Morgana's back to keep her down.

'We don't have that kind of time,' Arthur says looking around.

'We can't go on without her,' Gwen says from Morgana's side.

'It would be better if we had,' Merlin said darkly.

'I know,' Arthur said, 'but Gwen and I did not know that.'

'What other choice do we have?' Merlin demanded.

'Hence Merlin's plan,' Gwen smiled sadly.

'If only you and Morgana had gone alone with it,' snorted Merlin.

'Morgana was never going to go along with the plan,' Arthur pointed out, 'and for the last time I didn't know!'

'No, no, it's alright. I can go on,' Morgana denied forcing herself to stand up clearly in pain but unwilling to allow herself to fail at the mission that her sister had set her.

'No, you can't! You'll only make it worse,' Merlin argued trying to keep her down and make the injury sound worse than it was but was only succeeding in causing Arthur and Gwen to stare at him.

'I said I'm fine,' Morgana said harshly anger clouding her voice as she wrenched her hand from Merlin's grip.

'You were lucky. It could've been serious. Come on, Merlin, don't just stand there,' Arthur said.

Arthur nodded Merlin back to the horses who went albeit reluctantly. Morgana meanwhile was having trouble standing and wobbled on her ankle a bit. Arthur caught her forcing Morgana to fake a smile.

'You alright?' Arthur checked again.

'Yeah,' Morgana hissed.

The four of them return to the horses and continue on their journey to Fyrien's castle. The group are on a coastal path as they approach the seashore. In the distance you can see Fyrien's castle at the end of the coast only reached by a narrow strip of land.

The image changed once more to what the group could presume was the Castle of Fyrien's throne room as there was a throne on a throw rug. Covered by another rug was a table with two goblets and a jug. Cenred entered with Morgause to his side.

'Morgana will lead us to the tunnel entrance?' Cenred asks as they enter.

'She has not failed us so far,' Morgause assures the young king.

'Then Arthur's fate is sealed,' Cenred declares placing his axe on the table beside the jug.

'Not if I have anything to say about it,' Merlin said darkly.

'If you do your job properly,' Morgause warns.

'Don't worry about me,' Cenred assures the witch picking up the silver jug.

'I don't,' Morgause says as she strides to the throne and wraps a hand around the left side, 'believe me,' Morgause assured the king.

'And I thought you cared,' smirked Cenred.

'Morgana is the only one Morgause cares about,' snorted Merlin.

'I care only that Morgana takes her rightful place upon the throne of Camelot,' Morgause replied running a finger down the dusty back of the throne.

'I share that desire, Morgause,' Cenred replies pouring himself a goblet of wine.

'Of course you do,' snorted Merlin.

'Having Camelot as an ally would be nothing but advantageous for Cenred,' Arthur said grimly. 'It would allow him to take territories of neighbouring kingdoms if their monarchs feared going to war when Cenred had a powerful ally.'

'Of course you do. After all, you stand to gain much from Arthur's death,' Morgause replied.

'I don't deny it. But I am rich and powerful already,' Cenred says handing Morgause a goblet of wine and taking his seat on his throne. 'I do this only to please you,' Cenred assured her.

'It has nothing to do with the increase in your power,' snorted Merlin.

'Is that so? Then please me,' Morgause said.

Arthur is running along the rocky shore which would lead them to the secret passage to get into the labyrinth underneath the Castle of Fyrien. Arthur has his sword out as Merlin who also has a sword follows behind him. The two girls are nowhere to be seen whilst Arthur and Merlin find a hiding spot behind a large rock.

'Are you sure we shouldn't try to sneak into the castle itself. It might be easier,' Merlin suggested.

'No, the tunnels are a better bet. That way the element of surprise is guaranteed,' Arthur replied who was about to move closer to the opening of the tunnels.

'Bit late for that,' snorted Gwaine.

'Yes I know that now,' Arthur said sounding more and more annoyed.

'No, no, no,' Merlin said pulling Arthur to a stop.

'Are you questioning my judgment?' Arthur asked threateningly.

'No just the accuracy of your statement,' Merlin retorted.

'No, no. Its, it's just, er...an instinct, that's all,' Merlin lied.

'You are such a bad liar,' Arthur.

'I know,' Merlin said, 'but I couldn't exactly tell him that the girl he had grown up with had betrayed us to Cenred and Morgause!'

'Oh, well, if you got an instinct, we should ignore my lifetime of military experience,' Arthur said sarcastically.

'Merlin's "instincts" are always right thought,' Gwen said amused.
'Because they're right,' muttered Merlin.

'Because you know more than we do,' Arthur suggested.

'Sometimes I can sense there's magic involved,' Merlin pointed out.

'What if it's a trap? What if Cenred knows about the tunnels?' Merlin asked.

'I'm willing to bet my life he doesn't,' Arthur replied standing up and pulling Merlin along with him.

'I really wished you hadn't said that,' groaned Merlin, 'because we were betting your, Elyan's, Gwen's and my lives on Cenred knowing nothing when he knew everything Morgana did.'

Suddenly the scene changes. Now on the rock face Merlin, Arthur, Gwen and Morgana are moving quickly. There is a cave beside where they are running which they pass quickly until they reach another opening in the rock face at which Arthur stops at.

'Here we are. Stay close,' Arthur orders.

Arthur enters the opening first. The two servants follow the prince. Meanwhile outside the entrance Morgana looks around as she places the enchanted ring on a rock and looks around with a small smirk. Morgana follows the others into the cave as the ring begins to emit orange smoke signalling where they were.

Leon groaned, 'great how soon did they catch up to you?'

'Quickly,' Arthur said.

The image changes once more. Arthur turns a corner in the tunnels sweeping away cobwebs with his hands. Gwen and Merlin follow behind Arthur. Merlin runs into the thick cobwebs getting them in his mouth and being forced to spit them out.

'Blech, augh!' spat Merlin wiping cobwebs off his face.

'Stop worrying about your hair, Merlin,' Arthur mocked ripping the cobwebs in front of him.

'I think Merlin was more worried about his mouth than his hair,' Lancelot pointed out.

'Very funny,' Merlin said looking disgusted.

'It's a good sign. Means that no one's been down here,' Arthur pointed out.

'Yeah we were just being followed,' Merlin said darkly.

Gwen separates some cobwebs and a cobwebbed skeleton pops out at her. She screams in fright and jumps back breathing heavily. Arthur lights Merlin's torch revealing lots of armoured skeletons on the ground.

'Caerleon's last stand,' Arthur realises.

Merlin looks around unable to see Morgana, 'where's Morgana?' Merlin demanded.

'I thought you were supposed to be keeping an eye on her,' frowned Arthur. 'Did the cobwebs scare you?' Arthur mocked.

Morgana runs from behind the corner 'I'm here,' Morgana says.

'No wonder we were caught so quickly,' Arthur said bitterly. 'She must have been leaving a trail for them to follow the whole time.'

'Stick together, everyone. We need to keep moving,' Arthur ordered.

The four of them continued on the cobwebbed tunnel with only the light of the torches to guide them. The sound of footsteps approaching is heard. Arthur stops suddenly trying to detect where the sound is coming from and not giving away their position.

'Quiet. Quick, this way,' Arthur whispers.

Arthur quickly turns. Arthur and Gwen run in the opposite direction. Merlin and Morgana follow them. Arthur leads them to another tunnel, but the sound of footsteps and shadows moving are seen from that direction as well.

Arthur looks behind and in front where the sounds of soldiers were coming from either way, 'we're trapped,' Arthur whispered.

'How did they know we were here?' Merlin asked despite knowing the truth.

'Like you don't know,' snorted Arthur.

'I knew Morgana had betrayed us,' Merlin agreed, 'but I thought that I had kept Morgana from disappearing at least for any length of time for her to find Morgause. If only I had known about the ring!'

Morgana and Arthur drew their swords preparing for the battle that was sure to come for them now that Morgana had turned them over to Cenred and his men. Gwen looked around desperately blaming herself for this outcome.

'It was probably my scream. I'm sorry,' Gwen apologised.

'It wasn't your fault,' Lancelot said at once.

'It was Morgana's,' agreed Arthur bitterly.

'I know,' Gwen said softly.

Cenred's men run in surrounding the three friends and the traitor. Merlin looked around desperately for something to do as one of Cenred's men charges at them. They attempt to fend off Cenred's men, but Gwen is captured and Arthur surrenders.

Once again the image on the strange object changes. The image is back at Cenred's throne room. A burly man of Cenred leads the prisoners in. Arthur escorted first by men who have their faces obscured. Cenred's men force the four prisoners down to their knees in front of Cenred who sits on his throne.

'Well, well, Arthur Pendragon,' Cenred breathes in as he stands up to greet the young prince. 'How kind of you to pay me a visit. And look, you brought some friends with you,' Cenred sweeps his eyes across the other three who had accompanied Arthur. Cenred laughs slightly as he walks along the row of friends, 'oh, the Lady Morgana, no less,' Cenred greeted.

'Like you didn't know she was betraying them the whole time,' snorted Merlin.

'He played his part well,' Gaius replied.

Morgana flinches back a disgusted sneer on her face, 'don't so much as breathe on me, you pig,' spat Morgana.

'She's the one who can act,' Merlin said.

'Don't we know it,' Arthur said bitterly.

Cenred laughs sharing a laugh with Morgause who is observing the scene from above, 'well, the more the merrier, I say,' Cenred laughed.

'I'm the one you want, Cenred. Let them go,' Arthur tried to barter.

'He's not going to do that,' sighed Merlin. 'For one Morgause wants me dead as badly as she wants you dead because of Morgana.'

'You're right, that would only be fair. But fair's for fools. Take them away!' Cenred ordered.

'I won't let you harm them! They're innocent!' Arthur shouted trying to swing a punch at Cenred but is kept from doing so by Cenred's men.

'Innocent? No friend of Camelot is innocent!' Cenred declared.

'A poisoner and a traitor,' murmured Merlin.

Cenred approaches Arthur as Arthur struggles in Cenred's men's hands. Arthur is dragged out of the throne room, struggling, by Cenred's men. Morgause watches from above and smiles. Cenred bows to her causing her to smile some more.

Once more the scene changes. This time the image is of Elyan and Gwen's prison cell who have at some point been re-reunited with one another. Gwen is sitting hugging her knees against the cold stone wall of the cell whilst Elyan stands against the wall.

'You shouldn't've come back for me, Gwen. What were you thinking?' demanded Elyan.

'You wouldn't have left me!' Gwen retorted. 'You're my younger brother. Of course I was going to come back for you!'

'You're probably right. You'd think I'd've learnt by now,' Gwen sighed. 'I only hope Arthur can think of something.'

'Arthur?' asked Elyan.

'I didn't know that Gwen had brought anyone with her and I certainly didn't think that she'd brought the crown prince of Camelot with her,' Elyan said.

'Prince Arthur. I came with him,' Gwen explained.

Merlin snorted, 'you sound like that's completely normal.'

'It should be,' Arthur said. 'Anyone is worth saving.'

'But it isn't,' Merlin said softly. 'There are few nobles who would risk their lives for a peasant!'

'Prince Arthur of Camelot?' Elyan asked surprised.

'Yes, Elyan, Prince Arthur of Camelot,' Gwen said impatiently.

'Why would he want to help you?' Elyan asked.

'Because he loves her,' snickered Gwaine.

'Why shouldn't he?' Gwen responded flippantly.

'Er, because he's a prince and you're a servant,' Elyan pointed out.

'He doesn't care about that sort of thing. He's...you know...chivalrous,' Gwen tried.

'Right. So he's like that with all the maids in Camelot?' Elyan smirked.

'Hit the nail on the head there,' Gwaine laughed.

'No. Yes. I mean...'Gwen sighs in defeat and Elyan smiles.

'It seems that things have changed for you, Guinevere,' Elyan says quietly.

'And dragged you into it,' Gwen sighed.

'It wasn't your fault!' Merlin said. 'It was Morgana's!'

'Yes, I suppose they have,' Gwen agreed.

'I'm glad,' Elyan smiled.

The image once more changed. They were back in the throne room where the doors are thrown open to show Morgana being dragged in by the guards. Morgause and Cenred turn to look as the door is thrown open.

'Sister,' Morgause walks up to her sister, 'you are unharmed, I trust,' Morgause says grasping Morgana's hands in hers.

'No thanks to your men,' Morgana retorts.

'Forgive me, but, er...we must keep up appearances,' Cenred replies smirking whilst eating.

'What've you done with Arthur?' Morgana demanded.

'He's safely under lock and key,' Cenred assures her.

'Why not just kill him now?' Morgana demanded.

'How cold hearted you've become,' Cenred replies amused.

'Don't we know it,' Merlin sighed.

'The Prince still has his uses. He knows more about Camelot's defences than anyone,' Morgause replies.

'Why would you need it when you have Morgana?' asked Gwaine.

'They still need to kill my father,' Arthur replied.

'And make sure Morgana's not implicated in Uther's death,' added Merlin. 'Otherwise there could be a coup from loyalists of the Pendragon family.'

'Arthur will never tell you anything,' Morgana said.

'She knows you well,' Gwaine said.

'They did grow up together,' Gwen pointed out.

'Which is made her betrayal so much worse,' Merlin said quietly.

'Cenred has his methods,' Morgause replied.

'Torture,' Merlin said grimly.

Once more the image changed back to the cells. This time to Arthur and Merlin's prison cell. Both of them are sitting down on the cell floor. Merlin was sitting on the thin layer of straw whilst Arthur was sitting on a thin mattress.

'Even in Cenred's prison you still get the better conditions,' Merlin said mock offended.

'Of course,' smirked Arthur.

'I don't understand why we're not dead already,' Merlin says.

'Cheery,' snorted Gwaine.

'What it's true,' Merlin retorted.

'Boys,' Hunith said gently.

'Because Cenred will want to torture me first. Find out what I know,' Arthur replies calmly.

'Oh that's all,' Merlin rolled his eyes.

Merlin looks distressed at Arthur's casual remark, 'aren't you afraid?' asked Merlin.

'No. Not in the slightest,' Arthur replied calmly.

'Sorry, I don't understand,' Merlin said scratching his cheek. 'How, how can you not be afraid of pain?' Merlin asked completely befuddled.

'I am afraid of pain, there's just not going to be any,' Arthur said calmly.

'You've got an escape plan,' smiled Leon knowing how the prince worked.

'Of course,' Arthur said calmly.

'Right. So, you go into some sort of trance?' asked Merlin.

Arthur turns towards Merlin clearly wondering about Merlin's sanity, 'what are you talking about? There's not going to be any,' Arthur said getting to his feet, 'because we are going to escape from this filthy cell,' Arthur said going to the door trying to see if there was anyway to break out of the cell, 'and rescue the others,' Arthur replied.

'I don't think Morgana needs any rescuing,' snorted Merlin.

'Yes, Merlin, I know that now!' Arthur snapped.

A grin emerged on Merlin face, 'you got a plan?' Merlin asked.

'Not as such,' Arthur said causing Merlin's grin to fall off his face.

'Couldn't you just break out of the cell with magic?' asked Gwaine.

'Yes, yes I could,' agreed Merlin. 'I would then be discovered as a sorcerer and executed.'

'I don't think I would have had you executed if I could help it,' Arthur said. 'Banish you from Camelot but not kill you.'

'Thanks, Arthur,' Merlin replied, 'but the point stands. If there had been no other choice then I would have but as long as I had time I would have.'

The image reverted back to Gwen and Elyan's prison cell. Gwen is in the same position as she was previously sitting on the straw covered floor hugging her legs with the light from outside filtering in through the bars in her cell. Elyan has too taken a seat on the floor.

'You're angry with me, aren't you?' Elyan asked.

'Why?' frowned Gwaine. 'It wasn't his fault.'

'No,' agreed Gwen, 'but I haven't seen him for four years. Not even for dad's funeral and then to meet under the circumstances…'

'A bit. Where've you been, Elyan?' Gwen asked.

Elyan looks down and then stands up turning away from his sister, 'here and there,' Elyan said beginning to agitatedly pace the cell.

'I don't think that's the answer Gwen was looking for,' snorted Merlin.

'Yeah I know,' Elyan sighed.

'It's been four years since you left and not so much as a word! You could've been dead for all I knew!' Gwen cried sounding like there were tears stuck in her throat.

'I meant to get in touch. It just never seemed like the right moment,' Elyan tried.

'There were plenty of right moments,' Gwen said bitterly, 'and even more wrong moments. I needed you! Father needed you!'

'So, when our father died, wasn't that the right moment either?' Gwen said angrily.

'Gaius, Morgana, Merlin and Arthur were good to me,' Gwen said quietly. 'I don't think I could have got through it without the four of them,' sighed Gwen.

Elyan didn't seem to know what to say to that statement, 'I'm sorry,' Elyan said joining Gwen sitting on the wall. 'I haven't been much help, have I?' Elyan said softly.

'Not really, no,' smiled Gwen, 'but your still my brother.'

The image reverts back to Merlin and Arthur's prison cell. Only Merlin is currently visible. Merlin pounds on the door of the cell with a sense of urgency. It can only be assumed that Arthur's plan is in motion.

'What was your plan?' asked Lancelot curiously.

'You'll see,' grinned Merlin.

'Help! Quick!' Merlin continues to pounds on the door and a guard opens the peek hole in the door. 'The Prince has escaped.'

Cenred's guard looks around quickly but can't see Arthur and shuts the peak hole. The door is immediately kicked open and two of Cenred's guards storm in to search for the missing prince. Merlin stands back allowing them entry.

'I'm so sorry. I- I wish I knew where he was, but I...' Merlin looks up at the ceiling where Arthur is hanging on to the grate.'Oh, there he is.'

Suddenly everyone burst out laughing at Cenred's guards' absolute stupidity. Honestly the plan had to be one of the worst ones thought out in history. How it had worked neither Arthur nor Merlin knew.

'That worked,' laughed Gwaine.

'I can't believe it either,' smirked Merlin.

The guards look up. Arthur smiles and drops down on the guards. Arthur knocks out one, and Merlin grabbing a sword from Arthur's knight takes out the other. Arthur looks at Merlin in shock that Merlin can actually wield a sword.

'No need to look so surprised,' Merlin said pretending to sound wounded. 'Just because the sword isn't my first choice for a weapon.'

'No that would be magic,' Arthur said drily.

'Wonders never cease,' Arthur said.

'Heh,' Merlin laughed slightly as Arthur grabs the sword off of Merlin and the two run out of the cell.

'I do not trust you with a sword,' Arthur said.

'Gee thanks,' Merlin rolled his eyes.

The images change to the corridor outside the cells. Merlin and Arthur peek around the corner at the guards outside Gwen and Elyan's prison cell. The guard is fully awake leaning on his sword ready to kill them if they try breaking out Gwen and Elyan.

'Any ideas?' asked Arthur.

'Just this one,' Merlin whispered.

Merlin moves back further down the corridor. Arthur turns to see what Merlin is planning. Then Merlin just pushes Arthur out in front of the guard, Fermin, using the crown prince of Camelot of a distraction.

'Merlin!' Hunith said shocked. 'You just pushed the crown prince of Camelot … if that had gone wrong …'

'Well it didn't,' Merlin said, 'so who cares.'

'Honestly your plans are outstanding,' Leon shook his head.

'Ha. Hello again,' Arthur greeted the guards.

The guard, Fermin, and Arthur draw swords. Fermin fights Arthur their swords slashing against the other's sword as Merlin watches from his hiding place. Fermin manages to back Arthur to the wall where Fermin pins the young prince against the wall.

'I'm going to enjoy this,' Fermin says.

'I'll bet you are,' snorted Arthur.

'Like I would let him kill you,' snorted Merlin.

'It was you,' Arthur said.

'Of course,' Merlin grinned.

'Gyrdel,' enchanted Merlin.

Merlin's eyes flash bright gold as he completes the spell. There is a close up of Fermin's belt as it breaks causing his trousers fall down showing his hairy legs. Fermin looks horrified and embarrassed whilst Arthur looks equally as surprised and confused.

Once again the watchers burst out laughing at Merlin's plan and Fermin's state. Out of everything Merlin could have done he chose to divest the guard of his trousers. Nobody felt sorry for Fermin's state.

'Really,' laughed Gwen, 'out of everything you could have done it would have been taking his trousers down.'

'Know what your problem is?' Arthur asked not expecting an answer and kneeing the guard where it hurt. 'All mouth and no trousers!'

'Men,' Gwen rolled her eyes.

Arthur shoves Fermin through the door of Gwen and Elyan's cell where the siblings are standing. Gwen and Elyan stare down in shock at the trouser-less guard lying in pain on the dungeon floor. They look up to see Prince Arthur of Camelot standing at the door.

'You all right?' Arthur asked.

'Yes,' Gwen said.

'Where's Morgana?' Arthur asked.

'I thought she was with you,' Gwen replied.

'They must be holding her somewhere else. Let's go,' Arthur said urgently.

'Or not holding her at all,' muttered Arthur bitterly.

The image changed again so they were once again the corridor in Fyrien's castle. The four allies were running down the corridor. The siblings are ahead of Merlin and Arthur. Arthur pulls Merlin back.

'Take Gwen and Elyan with you. Guard them with your life,' Arthur ordered.

'What about you?' demanded Merlin.

'I'm going to get Morgana,' Arthur replied.

'No, you can't! It's too dangerous,' Merlin argued.

'Sorry, Merlin, I'm not leaving without her,' Arthur already backing away from them where he checks around a corner.

'If it had been anyone else I would have agreed,' Merlin said, 'but Morgana was in no danger. I wasn't going to let you die for her!'

'I know,' Arthur said with a sigh.

'I think they went that way,' a distant guard says.

Arthur jogs back to Gwen, 'when you get to the horses, ride straight for Camelot. Do not wait for me. Promise.'

'But I...' Gwen began.

'Promise,' Arthur repeated.

'I promise,' Gwen finally says.

Arthur turns back to go and find the girl he had grown up with running off. Gwen and Elyan begin to run in the opposite direction. Merlin on the other hand was the one person who did not move unwilling to let Arthur go off on his own.

'Merlin's going to follow you,' Percival said amused.

'Of course,' Merlin said. 'Do you really think I was going to let Arthur fall into Morgause and Morgana's trap? Anyway Arthur was in more danger than Gwen and Elyan. This whole thing was set up to kill Arthur! They would be more concerned with finding Arthur than two peasants.'

'Elyan!' Merlin called causing the two siblings to run back to Merlin 'Look after Gwen. I'm going after him.'

'Good luck,' Gwen told him.

'You too,' Merlin replied running off as Gwen and Elyan run in the opposite direction.

The image changes to the throne room. Morgause is pacing the stone hall. Cenred is still seated on his throne. Morgana is standing with her arms crossed. They all turn when warning bells suddenly sound allowing everyone to know that Arthur had escaped.

'They know,' groaned Leon.

'Arthur,' Cenred said moving to the door.

'You should've killed him when you had the chance!' Morgana said spitefully approaching Cenred hatred shining in her eyes.

'He won't get far. My men will deal with him easily enough,' Cenred said sadistically turning to the magical sisters.

'Cenred, if he escapes...' Morgana trailed off.

'Which he obviously does,' Leon said.

'Do not fret, Sister,' Morgause says causing Morgana to turn away from Cenred towards the blonde witch. 'You are like family to our brave Prince,' Morgause consoles Morgana moving closer to her sister.

'Isn't she your half-sister?' asked Merlin.

'You know she is,' Arthur said darkly.

'Then she's more than like your family,' Merlin said.

'She's not family,' Arthur said angrily.

'He will not leave this place without you. And when he comes, we'll be waiting,' Morgause says.

'And then, My Lady Morgana, you must play your part well,' Cenred adds.

'Which I fell for,' Arthur said bitterly.

'When have I not?' Morgana replied sharing an evil smirk with her sister.

The image changes to the corridor outside Cenred's throne room. Arthur runs through the corridor sword in hand. Arthur reaches a turner where he hides behind a door as two of Cenred's men run past looking for Arthur. Arthur watches them go and then runs off. At another doorway Arthur peeks around the corner at the guards. Then casually saunters around the corner.

'Evening!' Arthur smiled.

The two guards on the throne room who hadn't seen Arthur coming until he declared himself then draw their swords on the Prince of Camelot. Arthur takes out the guards then kicks the door open entering the throne room. In the throne room Cenred has his sword to Morgana's throat as she struggles to breath or at least pretends to. Arthur stops not wanting to endanger the girl he had grown up with.

'That's close enough,' Cenred threatens.

'Please don't hurt me,' Morgana threatens.

'Did you really believe that?' snorted Merlin. 'Since when has Morgana begged anyone! The only time she was ever scared is when her magic is involved!'

'One more step and she dies,' Cenred threatened.

'You're a coward, Cenred. You always were,' Arthur declares trying to circle around the back of the cowardly king.

'Ha-ha. It's cowards that survive, Arthur. Now put down your sword,' Cenred orders.

Cenred pulls the sword closer to Morgana's throat as Morgana hisses slightly. Morgause then comes out from behind a pillar. Arthur stares at her in shock and surprise to finding the witch present as Cenred glances back at his ally without letting go of Morgana.

'Do as he says,' Morgause says without introduction. 'You seem surprised.'

Arthur wears an expression of disgust on his face, 'hardly. I know what you're capable of,' Arthur replies coldly.

'I still thought that she was making it all up,' Arthur said quietly.

'Doesn't mean she's not evil,' Merlin said calmly.

'Oh, you have no idea,' Morgause replies.

Merlin peeks around from the doorway to see what was going on in the throne room. In the throne room Cenred backs away with Morgana to let Morgause do her work. The blonde sorceress summons a pillar of fire and pushes it towards Arthur. Arthur looks around helplessly.

'I thought that only Merlin could control magic without words,' frowned Percival.

'Elementals can,' explained Gaius.

'Miere torr sweoloþhat!' Merlin says quickly.

Merlin's eyes flash gold as his magic causes the fire pillar to explode before it can reach his prince. Everyone in the throne room is thrown backwards by the force of the explosion and the ceiling collapses on Cenred and Morgause. Arthur goes to Morgana as she gets up.

'That's powerful magic,' whistled Elyan.

'Well he is Emrys,' pointed out Gwaine. 'You know most powerful sorcerer ever! Of course, he's capable of powerful magic look what he did to Nimueh,' Gwaine said causing Merlin to flinch.

Morgause has bits of debris on her. Morgana and Arthur begin to stir as Merlin watches from where he lay just outside the throne room. Arthur pulls himself up from the ground where he has fallen using the table. Arthur sees Morgana sit up where she sees Morgause lying still. Arthur runs to Morgana grabbing her hand.

'And of course she's only worried about Morgause,' Arthur said bitterly.

'You alright? Come on,' Arthur says quickly pulling Morgana up off the floor.

Merlin enters the throne room to the shock of Arthur. Morgana stumbles about the room still disorientated from the fall. Morgana didn't say anything to Merlin as Arthur approached the warlock.

'Merlin?! What the hell are you doing here?!' Arthur said raising his voice slightly.

'Be glad he was,' Gaius said darkly.

'I thought you might need some help!' Merlin retorted.

'Which you did,' Merlin pointed out.

'Get out of here now!' Arthur ordered.

Morgause begins to stir on the floor which Morgana immediately takes notice of. Merlin for once does what Arthur tells him to without questioning him. He grabs hold of Morgana's arm and drags her out of the room.

The image changes to a vision of the tunnels where only a figure holding a torch can be seen. It is shown that it is being held by Merlin who is still dragging Morgana along behind him. Morgana is resisting but Merlin is not letting her go.

'I can't go on!' Morgana cried.

'I don't think Merlin's giving you a choice,' muttered Arthur.

'What's the matter? Worried about your friends?' Merlin shouted not letting her go.

'No! My ankle!' Morgana denied wrenching her hand free of Merlin's grasp and bringing it to her ankle that Merlin had injured earlier.

'I'm not a fool, Morgana! I know what you're trying to do!' Merlin snapped transferring the torch to his other hand and grabbing hold of Morgana's wrist once more.

'Delay Arthur long enough for Morgause, Cenred and his men to catch up to you,' Gaius said grimly.

'You know nothing!' Morgana shouted at her once friend.

'Come on!' Merlin said trying to pull Morgana along but Morgana wrenches free once more.

'What's wrong?' Arthur called catching up with the two sorcerers.

'My ankle,' Morgana says turning to Arthur's pity.

Arthur looks behind them and in front of them for help that isn't coming whilst Merlin stands back. Then Arthur swings Morgana over his shoulder not having time for more trouble still with his sword out. Then Arthur turns to hurry on down the corridor.

'She's not going to like that,' Gwaine laughed.

'She didn't,' grinned Merlin

'What are you doing?!' Morgana yelled.

'Trust me, I don't like it any more than you do!' Arthur says running with Morgana around the turn in the tunnel. 'Come on, Merlin!' Arthur ordered his servant shouting behind him when Merlin hadn't move just stared at Morgana with a grin at the sorceress' position.

The image changes once again to the woods. Arthur appears where he his carrying Morgana. Merlin follows behind the children of Uther until they see Gwen and Elyan waiting with the horses where Gwen comes running towards the three where Arthur puts Morgana back on her feet.

'I thought I told you to ride for Camelot,' Arthur said sounding a little fatigued from the run.

'Did you really think I'd leave you behind?' Gwen questioned.

'You might be a prince, but I don't always have to do what you tell me to,' Gwen replied.

A branch snaps which is the only alert for the attack by Cenred's men. Elyan pushes Gwen out of the way as Arthur begins fighting one of their attackers. Elyan joins in as the two servants watch. Arthur kills one of the men. Then the prince turns to see Elyan fighting competently with the other of the men.

'Not bad,' Arthur congratulated.

'Well, practice makes perfect, I guess,' Elyan replied.

'How much trouble have you been in over the past few years,' sighed Gwen.

'Probably about as much as you,' Elyan replied.

'He has a point there,' Merlin added in.

The image changes again so that the group are now riding back to Camelot. The rescue party, Morgana and Elyan rides along a trail in the woods. Merlin and Elyan are sharing a horse as they had started out with four horses.

'What did Cenred want with you?' Arthur asked.

'Oh you know to discuss whether to kill or torture you,' Gwaine said casually.

'He was trying to extract information,' Morgana smiled slightly. 'I told him nothing,' Morgana assured Arthur.

'See, that's what men like Cenred will never understand. Camelot was built on trust and loyalty. We will never be defeated as long as we stay true to those ideals,' Arthur said.

The image changes to a picturesque view of Camelot castle. Then to inside Arthur's chambers which is empty apart from Arthur. Someone knocks on the door while Arthur writes at his table with a quill.

'Come in,' Arthur calls.

Arthur doesn't look up from his writing. Gwen enters with a pair of dresses. After entering she shuts the door behind her. The sound of the door shutting causes Arthur to look up observing the presence of Gwen.

'What are they?' asked Arthur.

'Did you honestly forget about the excuse?' asked Merlin.

'Two silk dresses. In case your father asks any questions,' Gwen explained.

'And an excuse to see Arthur,' grinned Merlin.

'Merlin,' Arthur said warningly.

'-shut up,' grinned Merlin in their usual routine.

'Ah, where'd you get them from?' asked Arthur.

'Well...let's just say they won't be missed for a day or two,' Gwen replied.

'Another noblewoman?' asked Merlin.

'Yeah,' smiled Gwen. 'Lady Ettarre just thought that the washerwoman was taking longer than usual. I'm just sorry that I got Alma in trouble.'

'How's Elyan settling in?' asked Arthur.

'Really well. He's got the forge up and running and a place to live. He really appreciates all the help you've given him,' Gwen says but then hesitates which Arthur sees.

'Was there anything else?' Arthur asked.

'I just wanted to say thank you for bringing my brother back. It means more to me than I can say,' Gwen says softly.

'Well, it's like you said, Guinevere. It's what you do when you love someone,' Arthur says softly.