Okay! I've just done two exams (English and HSIE) and tomorrow I have two more - Maths and Science, but I really wanted to write and update to calm all my stresses. During the holidays, I'll be writing more often, but I'll only be updating every few days.
This is because soon...the series will end... which will be sad. I need season 4 to come out! D: I may be writing a co-part, but I'm not too sure. I really like, from what I've read, what the creators of Merlin will be doing in the new season...
I hope your enjoying it - please tell me if you're not, because then I know what to change.
After Merlynn cleaned Arthur's chambers from his quick and indecisive change in the early morning, she hurried down the castle steps for a little air. She needed to calm herself down, she told her mind. Gaius had said it was simply nonsense; the present from Arthur could just be coincidence. Or so she thought. Until she noticed Morgana, attempting to stroke and calm a rearing, brilliant white steed – which was, as she would recall, exactly what she saw in one of the crystals. Merlynn gasped; then, she tried to shove all her insecurities and fears down for the moment.
Merlynn ran to the only person who could understand the innermost thoughts of her mind when faced with Morgana. She ran to Gaius.
Gaius was startled as his 'daughter' burst into his chambers, but became instantly concerned when he noticed her wild and distraught expression. But, before he could even attempt to open his mouth to question her panic, she held up a hand. Breath. Breath, she instructed, then found a few moments to properly calm herself before she exploded in a fiery burst of anxiety.
"It's happening. The future I saw, it's started," she babbled, finding that the breathing technique wasn't enough to sate her alarm.
"Calm down, Merlynn," Gaius comforted.
She desperately shook her head. "I just saw Morgana struggling with a horse exactly as she was in the crystals."
"Are you certain?"
"It was the same image," she declared confidently.
"But she's always riding," he said in an attempt to calm her. "It's not unusual to see her with a horse."
"It's not the only thing. Arthur's present for Morgana," her eyes flashed, "he's told me it's a dagger." She frowned slightly, noticing his unfearing gaze.
"A dagger? Merlynn, I think you're overreacting. It could be any dagger. As for the sight of Morgana with a horse..." he trailed off.
It seemed that Gaius could not understand the delicacy and hazardous danger of the situation at hand. "It was the same," she beseeched.
"It's hardly a rare sight. Certainly not one to be trusted as a harbinger of doom," he remarked, utterly nonchalant.
Merlynn sighed. Could no one realise that Morgana was truly evil, and that Merlynn was telling the truth? It seemed that none could experience the same torture she went through every day; it was lonely, and frustrating.
oOo
Arthur was waiting for her. Merlynn could not help but wonder if she had forgot to do something while dealing with her inner turmoil. She froze; Arthur surveyed her with a cool indifference, forearms resting on a small box.
"Ah, Merlynn," he said patronisingly. She had forgotten to do something; she could see that role-play of calm, concealing an irritation that would soon be revealed. "Have you done my clothes for the feast?"
Her eyes widened in realisation. "Augh, no."
"No. No. Well, what have you been doing?" he snapped.
"Er…" Merlynn's mind was blank. She searched for a lie, a fib, any sort of excuse, but found none. Even picking flowers hadn't come to mind.
"Hmm? Right. Well, you can start by pressing my robe." He threw it at Merlynn. "And, er, cleaning my shirts." That soon followed into her arms. "And, er, ooh, polishing my boots." In a burst of anger, he pegged the shoe at her head. She ducked in time, luckily.
Merlynn's eyes were noticeably focused on the box beneath Arthur's hands and he smirked with pride, standing. "Ah, Morgana's present. What do you think?" He unlatched the lid and slid a plain dagger out of the box, holding it up for her to see. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he said in admiration. "Feel the balance, feel the sharpness of the blade."
Relief was all she could feel as she stole the blade from his hands, and held it up to her eyes. "Yeah," she agreed. "It's…beautiful. But are you sure it's what every woman wants?"
He sent her a puzzled look.
Merlynn rolled her eyes. "As a girl myself, I have become somewhat of an expert in the mind of a female and, from various encounters with the lovely Morgana, she's a girl. More girly than I will ever be."
"So, what do you think I should get her?" he asked, hanging on her every word. It was slightly saddening to see him so panicked and dedicated to impress Morgana with a gift, when she probably would not even appreciate it.
"I think she'd go for more, well, pretty things," she observed. "Like, maybe, jewellery? Or something like that. I don't know; you've got a brain. No matter how small, it's still knowledgeable enough to find a gift valuable enough for someone you've known since childhood."
oOo
Merlynn had brushed her hair. Thoroughly. And she bathed before she dressed, deciding upon her lavender gown. In insight of the whole event, Merlynn had chosen to behave rather responsibly, as if Morgana was still her friend. She was so relieved that the dagger wasn't the same intricately designed, jewel-encrusted blade she had seen in the crystals. She stumbled down the stairs, Gaius' locket around her neck and her hair tumbling down her back in waves and curls. Merlynn twirled for her father-figure, and sent him a winning smile.
"How do I look?" she asked.
"Very lovely, indeed," he answered with a slight chuckle, out of amusement or confusion, she did not know.
"Thank you."
"You've brightened up," he commented.
Merlynn nodded brightly, and stole a berry from his plate. "Morgana's present. It's a very plain dagger. A bit boring. I thought Arthur had better taste myself; I mean, I'm sure the blade is skilled and worthy of a few kills, but it lacks style."
"And not like the one you saw?" Gaius guessed.
"No, that was sumptuous, ornate. I'd probably disappointed if I were Morgana," she snickered.
He raised a knowing brow. "Oh, I know. You'd prefer something much sweeter, more 'from the heart', eh?" he winked. Merlynn narrowed her eyes. "Well, now you can stop worrying."
That beam on her face returned and she felt like a floating butterfly, twirling and dancing, her legs freed by the skirt of the gown. "Oh, I have. I'm going to continue as if I'd never even met Talieson. I'm going to enjoy this feast like everyone else."
"Even if it's for Morgana," he added.
"Yes. Even if it is for her; I used to be her friend, I could at least pretend to continue that assumption," she declared and strolled out.
oOo
The Hall of Ceremonies were perfectly decorated for Lady Morgana's birthday; bright curtains, long banners of colour and a spectacular feast laid out for the entire attendance. Merlynn was in a fantastic mood, and stole various berries and small pieces of chicken when she knew no one was looking.
Arthur had acknowledged her for a single moment and a quick once-over, his eyes hooded. She smiled knowingly and pet his arm lightly. That was, of course, before Morgana entered, gown flowing like a beacon of beauty and angelic perfection.
But, beneath that angelic exterior was the black spot on the wall - that blurred reality of a bitter nightmare. Merlynn decided to ignore it, and simply pretend as though Morgana was still a doting, sweet woman.
"To Lady Morgana," the nobles toasted, raising their goblets.
Uther pet a small, but jewelled box in front of her with a proud grin. She looked pleasantly surprised as she lifted the lid; she was a very good actress, smiling with delight as Uther clipped the necklace on for her. Inside, Merlynn knew that Morgana was shrivelling in disgust from Uther touching her - she could see it in her eyes.
Arthur winked at Merlynn, motioning for her to lean down. "You should see the gift I bought for Morgana," he whispered. "Even you'll be jealous."
"I hope so," she mused.
He then nodded a knight over and smiled as he presented another elaborate box to Morgana. "Happy Birthday," he said fondly.
Morgana put a gentle, shocked hand onto her collarbone like she always did. "Arthur," she chastisiced. She stood and removed, what looked like, the same sumptuous, jewel-encrusted dagger from the box.
Morgana slids a elaborate dagger from it's sheath, and smiles with satisfaction.
Merlynn gasped and took a step back. It was wrong; she was sure that Arthur wasn't going to purchase a dagger of all things to Morgana. The nobles cheers were fazed out by her drowning thoughts. Arthur, not noticing her horrified expression, got up and took a spot beside her. "It's not often you're right, Merlynn, but this is one of those rare occasions. You helped me loads." He squeezed her wrist. "Thanks."
"I told you to get something pretty," she whined.
"This is pretty," he grinned.
oOo
Merlynn cursed Arthur. For everything. If he wasn't such a war-hungry idiot, who had a knack for weaponry, Morgana would never have the dagger, and never have the idea to strike Uther with it. Her foot was tapping; incessant, hurried, panicked. "Don't you see, it's started. It's coming true," she rambled. Her body was not still, not one bit. It was as though she was hyperactive, every limb was at a quick pace to shift. Her hands constantly ran over her skin and hair for reassurance; her eyes flickered all about the room in search of solace.
Gaius was attempting to calm her, but was finding it tricky to sooth the terrified girl. "We can't be certain about that," he pointed out.
"We have to stop her," she declared, her breath quick.
He cocked his brow dubiously. "How? We don't know when this is going to happen. We don't even know if it will."
She shrugged. "We have to watch her," Merlynn suggested.
"Night and day?" he objectified.
"I was shown these visions for a reason, Gaius. I can't just let them play out right in front of me when I had all knowledge for every one of them," she said heatedly.
"This is madness."
Merlynn's brain was hotwired, re-circuited to simply focus on one thing: Morgana, and her destruction. She should have killed her when she had the chance, that single year ago. Sanity and all rational thought left her mind; nothing could stop her now, not even the contradictory and wise statements of her father-figure.
"We'll take it in turns," she announced then, her voice slightly empty. Her eyes were blank as she glanced up at Gaius. "She cannot be left alone."
oOo
Merlynn hurried down the corridor and took her place behind a curtain, which rested at the end of the hall of Morgana's chambers. She was patient enough to wait until Morgana strolled out of there late at night, clad in her cherry red cloak she was so fond of. Her thoughts were slowly morphing, breaking, til' all that was there was a cool indifference and determination toward Morgana. No pity. No guilt. Only hatred, and a sheer emotionlessness that surprised even her.
She was now the two sides of the coin; herself. One was the kind, sweet Merlynn who dedicated herself to Arthur and those who she cared about. The other, the determind, somewhat dark magical being who now was determined to prevent the King's Ward from Camelot's downfall.
There was a hitch from the door. Merlynn shifted until only her eye was visible through the slit in the curtain. Gwen was making her way toward her, but shot left and away, back to her own home for some rest. She smiled slightly; she was glad to have a friend like Guinevere, but still worried about Morgana's cold and murderous tendancies. The two may be friends, but who knew what brewed in the dark-haired witch's mind.
An half-hour later, Morgana stepped out of her chambers, dressed in a blazing, red gown and matching cloak. The Witch slid Arthur's gift into a notch in her belt, and began to make her way down the hall. Merlynn crept after her; images of the crystals were once more re-inacting right in front of her very eyes, and soon flashes of Morgana killing Uther soon came to mind. She stood straighter and an idea flashed to mind as Morgana headed toward the door which lead out into another corridor.
It happened in seconds.
Merlynn's eyes gleamed gold and magically she shut the door Morgana was approaching. But, she hadn't taken in account that the torch leaning against one of the doors would fall, sending Morgana to the ground. She didn't even see the staircase until the King's Ward fell backwards down the long flight of stone. Morgana disappeared, and there was a sharp scream, then a heavy thump and yelp. Merlynn's eyes were wide as saucers as she rushed to the top of the stairs.
Morgana lay at the bottom of the flight, sprawled on the thick cement. A small pool of blood trailed slightly down the steps in small blotches, and soon led to her head. Merlynn leaped down the staircase and kneeled by Morgana.
"Oh, god," she whispered in horror, checking desperately for any pulse. Small, weak, barely thriving. Merlynn hadn't meant for that to happen, not at all. She just wanted to prevent her from leaving the castle, or killing Uther.
Merlynn stood and bolted to Arthur; she had to tell him, had to help. If Morgana was to die now, the remorse and heavy weight of guilt was too much to bare. She didn't even bother to knock; she burst inside, basically shoving Arthur off the bed in a hurry.
"Wha - Merlynn, if you wanted to join me -?" he began, but she slammed her hand over his mouth.
"Not now. Morgana's hurt, unconscious at the bottom of the staircase a few corridors down," she rambled.
Immediately, Arthur shot up in the bed, almost sending Merlynn to the floor. "What? How?"
"I - I'm not sure," she lied. "I just found her when I was wandering around. Come on!"
He didn't bother with extra clothing; he simply threw his white tunic on and followed Merlynn to where she had said that Morgana was resting. When he saw her, he almost buckled to his knees. Morgana looked so frail, weak, pale, fragile like a porcelain doll. She had never been as such; he had always known her as his strong, younger sister-like who enjoyed teasing him like any sibling would.
"Stay alive, Morgana," he whispered, running a hand over her head.. "I'll take care of you."
Merlynn pretended not to hear it - guilt was racking through her at the sight of Arthur with tears in his eyes. He cared for Morgana deeply. He had no clue of her dark tendancies, only remembered her as someone who was like a sister to him. They had always been close.
"Go get Gaius," Arthur ordered. "Hurry." He pressed a tender kiss to the side of Morgana's head as he scooped her up into his arms, leveraging her head onto his shoulder.
oOo
Gwen had also been awoken during this time period. Merlynn had hurried to wake Gaius, then decided that the young chambermaid needed to be notified also. Morgana and Gwen were also very close. It was only adding to the guilt. She was never able to feel a single emotion, ever. It was always six or seven conflicting feelings, whether positive or negative. She was sure to get some sort of tumor or psychological disorder by the time she turns thirty years of age because of all the stress.
Arthur carried Morgana into the physician's chambers, trailing after the other three participants.
"I need water and bandages," Gaius declared, his voice concerned, clipped.
Gwen nodded. "I'll get that."
"And yarrow," he added. He glanced toward Merlynn. He knew she had something to do with Morgana, by the way that her eyes distracted over to the unconscious girl whenever she thought none could notice. Her eyes flashed guiltily. "We need to stop the bleeding." He cleared the table for Arthur to safely leverage Morgana down; he leaned near her mouth, noticing a shallow wheeze release from her open mouth. "She's having problems breathing."
Merlynn's head cocked in realisation. "Dianthus?"
"Yes, and a preparation of pulmonaria," Gaius instructed. She paused, confused. "Lungwort, Merlynn. Quarter of an ounce, ground fine, and mixed with violet."
"How could this have happened?" Arthur said after a moment of silence. His voice was heavy, thick, as though he was about to cry. He was heavily puzzled as to why Morgana would be out this late, and how she could have fallen. But, worry overcame him, muffling his thoughts.
Gaius put a soft, but persistant hand on his shoulder. "Arthur, I need room here."
"Yes. Of course. Erm..." He glanced around, worried, desperately seeking for something to assist them with. He looked to Merlynn, who was steadily brewing a healing potion. Knowing there was nothing for him to do but be in the way like a bad smell, he sighed. "Anything you need, just tell me."
He left. Merlynn watched him go, a tear trailing down her cheek as she decided that she just couldn't hold it in anymore.
Later, Gaius, Gwen and Merlynn crowded around Morgana, watching as the physician cheeked Morgana's head for any sort of injury. He had safely applied the healing balm, and wrapped her sprained wrist. He sighed as he found the sharp crack at the top of her head while he sew it shut.
"Will she be alright?" Gwen questioned worriedly.
Gaius glanced back at Merlynn, and inclined his head slightly, secretly telling her that something was definitely wrong. "We've done the best we can. I can heal her skin, Gwen, but the skull...the cranium is broken. She's bleeding inside."
Merlynn was ready to collapse.
oOo
Gwen soon left to her own devices. Merlynn moped in her chambers, legs drawn to her chest as she rested back against her wall. She decided that the warm comfort of the bed wasn't helpful enough for her; she sat on her window instead. Morgana. Once again, the King's Ward was residing in her mind constantly, but now guilt lingered like a disease or poisonous acid. She had never thought of actually killing her. But now, fate was in control.
As Gaius sat on the bed across from her, she didn't glance from the scenic, dark view of Camelot. All was silent for a few moments, until Merlynn finally spoke. Her voice was thick, choked, remorse ran like oil from her words.
"I had to stop the future. I had to stop Morgana killing Uther. I didn't mean to do it like this," she croaked.
He sighed, and put a comforting hand on her leg. "It wasn't your fault, Merlynn," he soothed.
"I've prevented something much worse from happening. I just...wish it could have been some other way." Merlynn turned and dropped to the floor. "I need to go see Arthur. Apologise. Comfort him, comfort each other."
"You can do that in the morning," he interrupted, and gently pushed her down onto her bed. "Sleep."
oOo
Arthur was up like a candle light as Merlynn walked through the door early that morning. Both of them were dishevelled; hair mussed, eyes red, deep purple bruises resting beneath it.
"Is she alright?" were the first words that came out of Arthur's mouth, heavy from sleep.
She shook her head, bottom lip trembling. "Uh -"
He strode toward her, cupping her face in his hands; his eyes were wild, desperate for information. "Is she alright, Merlynn? Please, you have to tell me."
"Her sku - skull's broken," she whispered. He froze. "She's bleeding internally. She might die, Arthur." Tears entered his eyes, and that then made the same appear in Merlynn's. "I'm so sorry." Merlynn drew him in her arms.
For the first time in a long time, Arthur cried. He gripped her body desperately, face buried in the crook of her neck. Merlynn felt his hot tears damp her clothing and skin, but didn't pay it any mind. She pressed comforting kisses to his cheek, neck and shoulder, whispering sweet nothings into his ear. Her hands ran through his hair.
"Sh," she muttered. "I'll find a way. I'm so sorry. So sorry, Arthur. Forgive me."
"After all we went through," he hissed. "For her to survive all that." He pulled back, cheeks stained with his tears. "To lose her now, like this...I've grown up with her, she's like a sister to me. I'd sacrifice my place on the throne for her to see another sunrise."
Merlynn nodded, hiding the urge to completely end herself, and brought him back into another hug, letting him release all his stress out. Her own tears fell then, heavy with all the stress and absolute resignation that she felt.
oOo
There was absolutely nothing she could do right. Kill Morgana, the one weapon who could ultimately be the destructor of Camelot, and face the withering guilt of seeing Arthur and Gwen in eternal misery. Or find a way to revive Morgana, and instead leverage Camelot's downfall, but see Arthur and the rest of the town happy.
Conflict. How she hated thee.
Uther stroked Morgana's hair from down in the physician's chambers. He had no knowledge that Merlynn was watching from her own room, peeking through a small crack in the door.
"So beautiful," he whispered mournfully.
Gaius nodded; he stood next to his old friend like a comforting air, or security blanket. "Yes, Sire."
"I cannot watch her die, Gaius," Uther declared in a soft, broken voice. Merlynn had never seen Uther in such a state; he was definitely cracking, slowly breaking down at the sight of the young girl dying.
"I wish there was something I could do." He, too, was rather conflicted by this point. He knew of Morgana's destiny, and was considering simply...as much as it pained him, letting her die. But, he could not stand seeing his old companion in so much despair.
"No, you don't understand," he snapped. "I cannot lose her. No matter what happens, she cannot die."
He nodded hesitantly. "I will do everything I can, Sire."
"No, Gaius. Whatever it takes. Whatever, I don't care. You must save her," he ordered, gripping Morgana's soft, pale hand gently in his gloved one.
"If I knew a way..."
"You're not understanding me, Gaius." Uther sighed in frustration. "Cure her. I don't care what remedy you use. In all these books there must be something." He paused. "Something in the Old Religion?"
Gaius was shocked; he could not believe what he was hearing. He took a glance up at Merlynn's chambers, noticing a small shadow at the bottom of the door. She was listening in, he knew. "Are you suggesting?" he whispered.
"Sorcery, yes," he concluded.
"I know she's dear to you, Sire, but surely you're not going to risk everything for Morgana?" he inquired.
"Gaius, you don't understand. There's something you should know." Merlynn shuffled closer to the door, her interest peaked. Uther hesitated, before he added, "Something I've told no one." There was a heavy silence. "Morgana is my daughter. It was while Gorlois was away."
Below, Morgana's finger began to twitch. Her mind comprehended the previous statement; her eyes moved beneath her lids. She wanted to wake, but couldn't. Her body was still dying. Consciousness regained itself for a few brief moments as Uther explained everything.
"He was fighting on the northern plains. Her mother, Vivien, grew lonely," he confessed guiltily.
"I understand, Sire," Gaius said, glancing up at Merlynn's room once more. He could only imagine what she would be thinking.
Uther stood suddenly. "I've said enough." He turned to his old friend, and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "The people must never know who Morgana really is, for Arthur's sake."
Merlynn felt the back of her knees hit the bed, and she took a seat, elbows resting on her knees, fingers propping up her head. Everything was making sense, coming together. Uther cared for Morgana too much for them not to be related; she had just attempted to kill the child of a King.
"I assure you, Sire, your secret is safe with me," he said, and watched as Uther left the physician's chambers after one long, despairing look at Morgana. His child.
Gaius then hurried up to Merlynn's room. He noticed her wide, worried, thoughtful eyes and sighed. He didn't speak; he knew she had many a thing to say.
"It...explains everything," she muttered. "No wonder he was so determined to find her, why he's so protective and fond toward her. Why he's so blinded by her faults."
"Now we know why she can do no wrong," Gaius added remorsefully.
oOo
Uther stood by his window, leaning against the stone archway for support. He was relieved to have finally admitted Morgana's true genes, to someone so trustworthy like Gaius. But, that was not what worried him.
It was her life that worried him. It was hanging in the balance; he desperately hoped Gaius could find some way, anyway, to save his daughter. The only woman, other than Ygraine, that he truly cared for. He acknowledged the door opening to his chambers, but did not turn to greet the visitor.
Merlynn's soft, hesitant voice filled his ears a moment later. "Sire." She was nervous, his confession running through her mind. "This is from Gaius." He finally turned to see a vial filled with a violet liquid in her right hand. "He said it would help ease your mind."
He said nothing, only continued to stare at her with speculation. Uther could see so much love in the way Gaius would care for Merlynn; they were closer than what he and Morgana could ever be. He found himself jealous of their relationship somewhat, their closeness, their obvious love.
Merlynn was uncertain under the thoughtful eye of the King, and decided she would simply put down the potion and leave. She left it on his desk, curtsied, then turned to leave. Uther's voice stopped her.
"You are Gaius' child," he stated, more so than asked.
She whirled around, and nodded slightly in confusion. "Yes. He is my guardian," she confirmed.
"You are like a daughter to him," Uther continued.
She nodded again. "Yes. Just as he is like a father to me."
He looked disheartened as he ran a hand over his salt-and-pepper hair; his blue eyes were rimmed with red, dissipating any previous thought of a wicked, strong king. "I see the way he cares for you. You feel your child's every joy, and their pain. You watch their failings and you see your own. All you want is for their happiness, for them to escape the sufferings of life."
Merlynn wasn't sure what to stay, but she stood there, listening to him speak. She was in a strange position, listening to Uther rabble on and look more vulnerable than a rabbit facing a wolf.
"Wh-why has this happened? I woul- I would do anything. Anyth..." It was then that, for the first time, that she had truly seen a more impossible sight. The King of Camelot began to cry.
She was helpless. There was nothing she could really do by this point. She couldn't embrace him, run her hand over his hair like a comforting mother, as she had done with Arthur. It was awkward, disconcerting, and terrified her slightly. But, she stepped toward Uther, and put a hand on his free arm, the other used to cover his eyes.
"Morgana is strong," she said then. "She is brave, determined, a fighter. She will wake; Morgana will fight until her dying breath to break through this injury. I'll make sure of it."
Merlynn left, leaving the broken king confused, and slightly thankful of her strangely comforting words.
oOo
Arthur decided that instead of crying, he would release his anger using his weapons. He ordered for Merlynn to come to his chambers to help him put on his armour, then the two headed out into the Square for him to unleash his raging emotions out on a practice dummy.
It was raining. This was much suited to the mood of Camelot; dark, mournful, desperate. Merlynn watched, tears mixing with the rain, as Arthur slashed at the training dummy, roaring every time the sword hit the wood beneath the false enemy.
Arthur cried again. It was inevitable, she could not stand to see him cry.
Later, Merlynn left Arthur in his chambers. She basically had to carry him up the stairs, his body weak and exhausted from all the desperation and sadness. Her clothes stuck to her skin, her hair damp and dripping water down her face as she entered the physician's chambers. She didn't want to see Gwen. She, too, looked physically defeated at the sight of Morgana. The unconscious girl was paling rapidly; she was dying indefinitely.
"Her breath is leaving her. She'll be gone by morning," she heard Gaius say.
Merlynn suddenly became determined. She decided that letting Morgana die was the worst thing that she could have done.
She waited til' nightfall.
When it finally arrived, it's dark shadow looming over Camelot, she crept out of her chambers. After collecting Firefoot, she rode out of the city, heading straight for the clearing.
oOo
Kilgharrah heard her call from his cavern. Immediately, he shot off into the night, heading toward their usual clearing. He settled down in front of the young witch, and found himself curious as to why she would call for him on such a night. She looked stressed, tired, dark circles formed beneath her eyes. Her body was weak, he could feel it in his bones. He raised a speculative brow her way. "You summoned me, young witch? And to what do I owe the pleasure this time?"
"I've been to the Crystal Cave. I saw Morgana make an attempt on Uther's life," she announced.
He scoffed, unsatisfied with her answer. "It does not surprise me."
"Well, I stopped her."
"To change the future is no simple matter, Merlynn. To do so is fraught with danger," Kilgharrah told her.
She nodded. "I know, and as a result of my actions, Morgana is dying," she said, looking guilty at the thought.
Now, he was confused. "Then you should rejoice!"
"No. Uther and Arthur and Gwen are in misery because of this. I want you to help me to save her," Merlynn finished.
"Merlynn, have you learnt nothing?" he sighed.
"I did not mean to kill her. All I wanted was to avoid the future that would've unfolded, to prevent Uther's death, to prevent Camelot being torn apart," she explained desperately.
"I will not cure her!" he spat.
Merlynn glanced up at him, eyes pleading with him to bow to her needs. "She is Uther's daughter," she admitted.
"Yes." He was unsurprised by the confession, and Merlynn's eyes widened at the realisation.
"You knew," she accused. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"It makes no difference," Kilgharrah said, doing his reinactment of a shrug.
Merlynn bit her lip. "Well, whatever she was about to do, I stopped her. There's no need for people to suffer."
"The witch must die, as she should have done long ago. I will not save her," he declared with a hint of defiance in his voice.
"I am a dragonlady!" she burst out. "You cannot refuse me!"
"How dare you treat me such! How dare you abuse your power!" he hissed.
Merlynn set her shoulders, and glared up into those angered golden eyes of hers, cold and strong. "I command you."
Kilgharrah opened his mouth to berate the young witch at her orders, to try and dissuade her, for he knew the future of her actions, but found that the command was too much for him to refuse. "Very well. But I warn you, the evil that will follow is of your doing, and yours alone," he pointed out.
He released his magical breath over Merlynn, washing his dragon power over her body, then left with a grunt. Merlynn, tingling with magic, rode back to Camelot.
She would save Morgana. Merlynn knew she may regret it, but there was nothing else for her to do.
oOo
When Merlynn snuck back into the physican's chambers, she noticed Gwen sitting with Morgana. She took a seat next to Gwen.
"Gwen," she muttered.
Gwen turned her eyes to Merlynn, saddened. Then, she looked suddenly desperate, and somewhat elated. "Merlynn," she breathed. "You have magic, don't you?"
"Yes," she said, hesitating.
"Then you can save Morgana," she declared. "You can bring her back to us, to me, using your power."
"Gwen -"
"Please, Merlynn. She'll die if you don't," Gwen sobbed. "I can't have her die. She's my oldest friend. Please."
"Gwen, go to sleep. I'll try whatever I can to cure her, but I can't give you any promises. Magic is a limited resource; there are some things even I cannot do," she stated.
She nodded and quickly squeezed Morgana's hand, before standing. "Just...try. Please. It's all I'm asking."
"I promise."
"If she wakes..." Gwen trailed off, her eyes hopeful.
Merlynn sighed. "I'll call you."
"Thank you, so much, Merlynn."
As Gwen left, Merlynn turned her attention to Morgana and pressed her hand against the girl's cranium. She could feel the crack in her skull, and winced guiltily. Her eyes flickered gold. "Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare mid þam sundorcræftas þære ealdaþ æ!" she whispered.
The magic thrilled through her and into Morgana's cranium; the effects were immediate. She began to breathe normally and her colour improved greatly, her chest heaving at a healthy pace.
oOo
Gaius found Merlynn in the Courtyard Corridor, looking much like she did when she discovered that Morgana was Uther's child. He sighed; he could not believe that she revived Morgana. She had changed things, thinking of the emotions of others rather than the outcome of her actions.
He took a seat next to her, but didn't touch her, nor did he speak. There were no words for how he was feeling.
"I couldn't watch everyone's grief." Soft, croaked. Her body ached, her mind stung, eyes were steadily filling with tears of remorse.
"I know," he mused, and pressed a shallow kiss to her temple. "But you're playing with things that are beyond you."
"What have I done?" she whispered.
oOo
Arthur looked more happier than she had ever seen him. He was strolling through the Square, eyes lighting up when he caught sight of Merlynn sitting on the stairs leading up into the castle. He took a seat next to her; he frowned as he caught on to her saddened mood.
"What's wrong?" he asked, nudging her gently. "Haven't you heard? Morgana's awoken!"
"Yes, I know," she murmured bitterly.
"Then why so down? Surely this is a happy occaison," he persisted.
Merlynn shook her head. "It's nothing. I'm tired. I was brewing potions all night long."
"So you cured her?" Arthur questioned.
"Sort of. Gaius was there, too," she denied.
He turned to her, a soft, warm smile on his face; he nudged her once more, feeling the urge to capture her in his arms and hold her tight. But he knew it was too public for such an embrace. "Then I must thank you. You have no idea what you've done, Merlynn, for everyone."
"I think I have an idea," she mused.
oOo
Later that night, the warning bells resounded through the castle like a beacon. Merlynn was immediately awoken by the shrill sound and dressed quickly, before rushing down to see Gaius. He, too, was standing from his bed, nightrobe wrapped around his tired form.
"Come on," she ushered, pulling him from her door. She wondered whatever could have alerted the bell. Merlynn grabbed Gaius' medical bag.
A guard was already waiting for them as they exited their chambers. "Gaius, a servant boy has been killed," he announced. "Follow me."
The two trailed after the curt man until they reached the Red Chamber, where the servant boy lay dead. Merlynn sighed; he seemed to be only seventeen, not much older than herself when she began to serve Camelot. Arthur was already there, crouched over the fallen body.
"We need to seal the drawbridge, search the grounds. I'll inform the King," Arthur instructed. He silently gave Merlynn a slight acknowledgement, before he hurried off to Uther's chambers.
Merlynn and Gaius surveyed the servant boy. He was boyish, with a mat of dark hair and reddish-pale skin. It was obviously a quick strike down, as he didn't seem to have struggled. The wound was clean and precise. The pitcher of red wine formed a pool, damping the boy's hand that lay dormant.
As Gaius lifted up the hand in the wine, Merlynn's eyes flashed with recognition. Red liquid dripping from fingers into a pool of wine. She had thought it was once blood, but now knew that she had not, in fact, saved Camelot from doom. Merlynn had re-awakened the future.
Gaius noticed Merlynn's horrified, distraught expression and paused in his search. "Merlynn, what's the matter?" he asked, concerned.
She desperately shook her head; her skin paled. "That was the next image I saw in the crystal." Her breath hitched. "I haven't stopped anything. Morgana's still going to kill Uther. Oh, God. I have to go."
"Merlyn - "
Merlynn stood and, ignoring the physician, rushed off in the shadows of the night. She needed to find Morgana, and stop her. Keep her away from Uther's chambers. Killing her was not an option at this point; she had already worked too hard to keep her alive.
As she burst into Morgana's chambers, the King's daughter was readying herself for Uther's murder. She wore exactly the same clothing as she had the moment Merlynn sent her to her death, and slid the blade into the notch in her belt. Morgana's head shot up when she slammed the door shut.
"What are you doing here?" she spat.
Merlynn's eyes narrowed; she took guard in front of the door, preventing Morgana from leaving. "Arthur sent me to look after you. He's worried about the intruder," she lied smoothly.
"I don't need you," Morgana scoffed.
She stepped in front of her, jaw set. "He was quite insistent."
Morgana growled and snapped forward, attempting to shove her ex-friend out of the way. Instead, Merlynn took hold of her wrist, keeping it in a tight hold that made her gasp. "Get out of my way!" she shouted, eyes glowing gold.
Merlynn was tossed back against the wall; her head cracked painfully, as did her back, and she slid to the floor, unconscious. When she was thrown, her hip hit the table beside the curtain, and toppled over. The candles that perched on the table rested against the fabric, igniting it.
Morgana smirked and stepped over Merlynn, before strolling away toward her destination. Uther's chambers.
Merlynn's hand was slowly catching on fire; it had fallen onto the curtain amongst the crash, and soon the embers were licking away at her tunic sleeve, scorching it away.
It took a while for her eyes to open. Her mind registered a sharp pain in her arm, her body recognised a heat surrounding her. Finally, they snapped awake and she sat up. She glanced down, and she released a breath of fear. Her arm was alight; most of the damage was on her tunic, but her skin was burnt and bloody.
She screamed. Merlynn screamed, surrounded by fire, eyes vibrating between gold and blue. She clutched her arm in agony, patting away the fire. Merlynn then stood and, supporting her injured limb, rushed out of Morgana's chambers and toward the king.
It was too late, she thought to herself, as she crept into Uther's bedchambers. Morgana had already raised the knife, poised to strike, and Merlynn could not do a thing to stop her. An idea came to mind.
She raised her uninjured hand; her eyes flashed gold, and the window blew inwards, sending Morgana crashing against the wall. Merlynn slumped in defeat as the blade slid from her hand.
Uther shot awake. "What's going on?"
Morgana's eyes were wide with surprise, but she stood. She pretended to be terrified as a crack of thunder shot through the room and rushed toward him, kicking the blade underneath the bed. "Er...there was a fire, and I was scared," she lied. "I wanted to be with you. You're the only person I feel safe with."
Uther had a soft, comforting smile on his face and he drew her into his arms.
Merlynn scoffed from behind the curtain, and hissed slightly as a shooting pain continued to thrill up her arm.
oOo
Her arm was in a cast. The skin of her forearm and hand was a brilliant red colour, and some of the skin broke from the heat. Gaius had healed it for the most part and had brought her another tunic, which she wore now. Other than that, it was healthy and steadily healing. Gaius said that she might scar, but it would be small, insignificant.
Merlynn knew that Morgana would not give up until Uther was dead. She was ready to leave Merlynn to burn for that very reason.
"You saved the King's life," Gaius assured, noticing her worried expression.
She scoffed bitterly. "Only just. I thought I could alter the future, but instead I caused it. I made it happen."
"What you did was dangerous, even for someone as gifted as you," he admitted. "But what's done is done. There are more important things for us to worry about. I fear that Morgana knows the truth."
"About what?" she questioned curiously.
"She knows the King is her father. That explains why she acted so suddenly. Arthur must be careful," he told her.
Her brow cocked. "Why?"
"Morgana is of royal blood," he explained ruefully. "If Uther were to die, Arthur is all that stands between her and the throne of Camelot."
Merlynn's eyes widened, and she leaned forward on her elbows. "I'll not let that happen. If Uther dies, then I'll have the chance to finally exact what I should have done."
"And that is?"
"Kill Morgana."
I'll probably be updating either friday, or sunday, not too sure :)
Hope you liked it!
Question: What do you suppose will happen in 'The Castle of Fryian'? I've already begun writing it, and I'd love to hear your opinion, which will help me decide what to flow into the storyline :D
