The princes searched the halls and Giaus's chambers, finding only sleeping citizens but didn't find their father, they rounded the corner into Morgana's room. Arthur found Gwen laying on the floor asleep like the rest of the city, tenderly he picked her up and laid her down on Morgana's bed, whipping a stray hair from her face.
Quietly the curtains hanging from the wall above the window moved, somebody or something was there!
Both brothers raised their swords, poised to attack at the slightest movement. Arthur took the lead, slowly reaching out his hand to pull back the curtain, which with the flick of his hands revealed a near hysterical Morgana.
"Morgana! It's me!" Arthur yelped, taking her by the wrists as she struggled, "What happened?"
"I didn't know it was you" She whimpered, eyes still glazed with fear.
"Morgana, tell us what happened" Merlin ordered a little to harshly
"People were complaining, saying they weren't feeling well" She half sobbed, "Then, they just started falling asleep, everyone, everywhere I went!"
"Than what?" Arthur probed, she shook her head, "Why were you hiding?"
"I told you! I didn't know who you were, I was frightened!" She trembled
"Where's our father?" Merlin asked, again she shook her head.
"Morgana I don't understand, why are you the only one awake?" Arthur growled with frustration. Merlin looked at his feet, magic, that had to be it. Morgana's magic kept her awake. Initially this bought the warlock relief as it meant he would be fine but it also meant there was a chance Arthur could catch whatever this sickness was.
"Come on, lets look for father" Merlin suggested, as much as he was angry at Morgana for trying to betray them, she was still his friend and she looked frightened enough already.
As Arthur rushed down the hall towards Uther's room Merlin hung back with Morgana.
"Don't worry I wont say anything" He whispered, a little to harshly.
"This has nothing to do with me" She defended
"No but you have magic" He hissed making her eyes widen, "Don't worry nobody believes me"
They two had been about to converse more when a call from Arthur made them run down the hall, Uther was slumped on his desk, fast asleep. If the situation weren't so dire Merlin would of found it comical.
"He's fine, we just need to find a cure" Merlin nodded.
"Who could of done this?" Arthur wondered aloud, "Who has the power to put an entire city to sleep? Morgana your the only one who hasn't been effected there must be a reason!"
"Its obvious!" Merlin improvised, "When she started feeling sick Gaius gave her a potion...but then Gaius became ill too before he could help anybody else"
"Why didn't you say so?" Arthur sighed giving Morgana a frustrated look.
"She was frightened" Merlin intervened again, "Maybe I should go look for the um, potion"
Merlin rushed out the door before Arthur could object, he didn't feel like telling Morgana about the dragon right now, this was easier. However he only got halfway down the corridor when he saw the riders in the distance.
"Arthur!" He yelled, "Knights of Medhir and sorcerer dead ahead!"
"Get back here help us move father!" Arthur yelled, Merlin gave a frustrated wheeze and spun on his heels. Morgana simply stood at the edge of the room asking what was gong on while Arthur grabbed Uther's shoulders and Merlin his legs. The princes did their bet but the king was not a lightweight and they ended up dragging him more than carrying him down the halls. Eventually the trio deposited the king on the floor of a nobles room.
"We can't just leave him on the floor!" Arthur exclaimed
"I'll get him a pillow!" Merlin decided rushing over to the bed
"Merlin!"
"Alright! Two pillows!"
Merlin skidded to a halt at Arthur's heels and quickly stuffed the pillows under the kings head, standing only to find himself unreasonably tired. He glanced at Arthur who was whipping his brow which was also shining with sweat.
"We're getting sick..." Merlin gaped with shock, if it wasn't magic keeping Morgana well then what was it?
"We can't let that happen" Arthur protested, "We need to disguise father, those attackers will no doubt be after the king"
"I'll find some clothes" The younger brother provided before once again dashing out the door towards the crypts and the dragons cell. Taking the stairs two at a time Merlin slide round the corner only to find a Knight coming round the opposite corner, not good. The terrified prince jumped into he nearest room to find a hiding place, unfortunately a cupboard was his only choice. He listened from within the wooden box as the heavy breathing of the knight filled the room, then silence.
Hesitantly he jumped out and headed down the crypt, turning to see the black cloak of the Knight flutter around the corner and up the stairs he had just come down. He prayed Arthur and Morgana would stay safe. Panting with the effort he ran down the stairs to the dragons prison.
"What's going on? Why is everybody asleep?" He yelled, his answer was a snore from the curled up golden dragon, "Please not you too..."
"Stop pretending! I need your help!" He scolded, his suspicions confirmed when the dragon uncurled himself, yawning.
"I don't need to listen to you Merlin" He taunted, "You always say the same thing, 'help me' with nothing in return..."
"I know I promised to free you and I will" The warlock defended.
"When? I no longer trust your promises" The beast growled
"I..." Merlin fumbled, he was desperate, "I swear! I swear on my brother's life!"
"Careful what you say!" The dragon exclaimed
"You have to help me" The prince pleaded, "Please"
"This is an oath you will honor" The dragon nodded before continuing, "Its one thing to cast a spell that puts everybody to sleep, but maintaining it is very hard. This Magic will need a source, it will take more than words to break this enchantment"
"What do you mean?"
"You must eradicate the source of the spell" The dragon explained but a twinkle in his eyes told Merlin he was hiding something.
"What is it?"
"Not what, but who" The dragon corrected, "Such spells need a vessel, a constant living organism to keep it alive, the source of this pestilence is the witch, the Lady Morgana".
Merlin felt as if icy water had been plunged over him. He had to eradicate the source and the source was Morgana...No he couldn't mean...
"Can't be" He gasped, for once he prayed the dragon was playing a cruel joke. But he knew he wasn't, "No..."
"She has chosen to turn her back on her own!" The dragon rumbled.
"How do I stop her?" he whispered quietly.
"That is easy" The dragon smiled, "You must kill her, even you are not immune to this magic Merlin, you must act now before it is too late. If you do not Camelot will fall and Arthur will die"
So destiny was making him choose. His brother or Morgana. Merlin sighed in defeat as much as he hated it there wasn't much of a choice, he had to kill Morgana.
Sorry about the slow update! Enjoy!
Also little poll, should I continue this story through to seasons 3 and 4? If I do I will start a new story as a sequel to this one as I think this one is long enough.
