Hi all! Welcome to season three of Merlin!
Thanks and enjoy,
Phantomshadow99
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The Tears of Uther Pendragon: Part One
Evaine sat in the chair of the Griffin staircase, watching as Uther stared out the window. She rose as Uther approached Gaius.
"How is she?" Uther asks.
"She'll be fine," Gaius answers, and Uther sighs in relief.
"There's nothing wrong with her?" Evaine asks, and Gaius glances at her.
"Nothing physical."
"May I see her?" Uther asks, taking a step towards her chambers.
"Best wait 'til morning," Gaius tells him.
"Yes, of course. Gaius, thank you," Uther says, smiling in relief for the first time in a year. Evaine smiles at Gaius.
"How did she seem?" she asks, the two walking towards his chambers.
"Fine. Shaken up and a little afraid, but she seemed happy to be back," he tells her, and she nods. "I'm she would be happy if you visited in the morning," he adds, and she smiles.
"Of course," she says, bidding him goodnight before returning to her own chambers.
Early the next morning, Evaine hurries to Morgana's chambers, Gwen letting her in right away. Gwen nods, leaving as Evaine looks to see Morgana sat up in bed.
"Morgana!" Evaine cries, running to her friend's side and hugging her tightly. Morgana hugs her back tightly, the two shedding some tears at their reunion.
"I thought I would never see you again," Morgana says, smiling through her tears as Evaine grips her hand tightly.
"We never gave up hope. Even my brothers have been searching for you after I sent word to them," Evaine said, and Morgana smiled. The two glance up when a knock is sounded on the door, Arthur's head appearing as he opens it hesitantly. Morgana smiles at his visit, ushering him inside. Evaine stands as Arthur takes her seat on the bed next to Morgana.
"What happened?" Arthur asked softly.
"I was kept in a cell for almost a year. I thought I'd go mad," Morgana tells them, and Evaine moves to lay her hand on her shoulder in support.
"How did you escape?" Arthur asks.
"They moved me about a week ago. I don't know why. It may have been the patrol from Camelot," Morgana says, and Arthur looks at her in surprise.
"The patrol found you?"
"I thought I was gonna be free. But then I saw them killed. Every one of them cut down. But that night, the bandits were distracted by their spoils. I took my chance. When I saw you, I couldn't believe it," Morgana says, her voice cracking as Arthur pulls her into a hug. Her eyes meet Merlin's. "I think I need to rest," she adds, and Evaine nods.
"Everything's gonna be alright. You're safe now," he tells her, and the two smile.
"I'll check on you later," Evaine promises, and Morgana smiles gratefully. Evaine and Arthur leave, the two of them pausing in a corridor a few minutes later. "I can't believe you found her," she says, Arthur glancing at her.
"Thank you for having faith in me," Arthur says, teasing her. Evaine laughs, shaking her head.
"You know I didn't mean it like that," she tells him, noticing his smile as he looks at her. "Arthur-"
"Don't ruin this moment," he says, taking a step closer to her. She smiles, looking to the floor as she curtsies.
"I must go," she tells him, turning to leave but he grabs her arm, stopping her.
"I'm training with the knights tomorrow. Will you come watch?" he asks, and she glances at him over her shoulder.
"I would be delighted to," she says, and he smirks as she walks away.
XXXXXX
Evaine and Anna sit beside Merlin who is sharpening weapons as he glances up at Arthur training with his men.
"He likes to show off, doesn't he?" Anna comments, the two nodding in agreement with her as they watch Arthur manage to dodge an attack from two opponents while blindfolded. He disarms the two in moments, unwrapping the blindfold from his eyes as the knights watch on.
"Let's change weapons. What'd you think?" Arthur asks, Merlin hurrying to get a new sword. Evaine opens her mouth to answer.
"I've seen better," Merlin replies, and Evaine hides her laugh as Arthur glares at him.
"Course. Well, you are the expert at fighting with your eyes closed," Arthur says, and Merlin shakes his head.
"But you didn't see what I did when we rescued Morgana," Merlin told him.
"Because you were hiding behind a tree," Arthur states, smirking as Anna and Evaine laugh.
"No. I was not," Merlin mutters, scoffing at the comment.
"I'm not going to use the blindfold, I'm just going to fight like Merlin here. (whimper) 'I'm Merlin, don't hurt me'," Arthur says, mocking him. Evaine watches as Merlin smiles. "Ready?" Arthur asks his men, him and the two knights beginning to fight again. Merlin's eyes glow gold, and Arthur's sword is pulled from his grasp just as a mace hits him in the stomach. Arthur falls face first into the mud, coughing as he rolls onto his back.
"Merlin," Evaine whispers, shaking her head before breaking out into a grin with the warlock. She hurries over to help Arthur up. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I was distracted by something," Arthur mutters, waving her away as he and Merlin go to a nearby tent, Evaine and Anna laughing after they leave.
A great feast was held that night, and Evaine sat happily beside Morgana, the two laughing as Evaine recalled today's training session as Uther rose, the room falling to silence.
"Standing here, seeing so many happy faces, seems almost like a dream. I can tell you, I have not felt like this in a long time," Uther says, glancing at Morgana.
"What, drunk?" Arthur asks, and Uther smiles as the room laughs, hitting his son on the arm.
"Drunk with happiness. I would have searched the entire world, the seas, the skies, the stars, for that smile. To have it stolen from me was like a blade to my heart. Morgana, there are no words. You mean more to me that you will ever know. To Lady Morgana," Uther says, everyone raising their goblets in toast.
"To Lady Morgana," everyone shouts, sipping their drinks. The music and laughter return as Uther hugs Morgana, holding her for a moment before he steps back, stumbling slightly.
"I need some air," Uther says, and Morgana smiles as she sits back next to Evaine.
"I cannot say how much I missed you, my friend," Evaine says, and Morgana smiles, taking her hand in hers.
"I missed you more than anyone, Evaine," she says, and the two share a smile. A guard rushes in, running to Arthur. He looks up in surprise, his gaze meeting Evaine, Morgana and Merlin before he indicates for the three to follow him outside to the courtyard. The ladies gasp on seeing Uther laid on the floor beside the well, crying and mumbling.
"We must get him to his chambers," Evaine says, and Arthur hurries to lift his father with the help of another knight. They avoid the crowded ceremony hall, arriving in Uther's chamber.
"Careful," Morgana says, as Arthur and the knight lay him on the bed. She pulls the covers over him. "Is he going to be alright?"
"He should sleep 'til morning," Gaius tells her. Morgana nods, Evaine patting her arm gently before leaving her with Uther and following Arthur.
"What could've made him like this?" Arthur asks, following Gaius and Merlin to the phoenix corridor.
"I've no idea," Gaius says tiredly.
"Gaius, he was lying on the ground crying," Arthur says, and Merlin and Gaius stop to look at him.
"Exhaustion," Gaius answers.
"Gaius. What aren't you telling me? What's wrong with him?" Arthur asks, walking to Gaius. "Tell me," he insists, more softly.
"When I found him, he was mumbling. Most of it was incoherent, but..."
"What?" Evaine asks, and Gaius keeps his eyes on Arthur as he answers.
"He kept mentioning your mother's name," he says.
"He never talks about her," Arthur says, frowning.
"He claimed that he saw her. In the well," Gaius explains.
"Did the guards see him in this state?" Arthur asks, quietly.
"I think you're worrying too much," Gaius tells him.
"If the people get to know about this...!"
"We say that he was ill, but now he's recovered," Gaius says. Arthur bites his tongue, before leaving them to return to his father.
"Gaius, what do you think is really going on?" Evaine asks, and Merlin glances at him as well.
"I don't know. But Uther was clearly frightened by something," he answers. Evaine and Merlin share a look, before she leaves for her own chambers.
A few days later, Gaius deemed Uther well enough to hold court in the council chamber, news of Cenred's amassing army too great of importance to ignore.
"We've had reports that mercenaries are streaming into Cenred's kingdom," Arthur says, standing before his father.
"Do we know why?" Uther asks.
"There is rumour that Cenred is amassing an army. I think we should send a patrol out to assess the situation," Arthur advises. Uther stares past Arthur, not answering as his face pales. "Father?"
The court turns to see what he's staring at, in the doorway, but there is nothing there. Uther fidgets, before standing and pointing at the space.
"Leave me alone. Get out of here," Uther demands, the court look once more, seeing nothing is there. Evaine watches as people begin muttering to one another. Arthur walks to his father, holding his hand out.
"Father, will you..."
"I said get out! Get out! I'll have you hanged!" Uther shouts, pushing past Arthur. Arthur and Sir Leon restrain him and drag him from the room as Gaius follows them.
"You hanged! You...! You...!" Uther shouts, as the court look at one another before filtering out of the chamber.
"What is happening?" Anna asks quietly, glancing at Evaine who shakes her head.
"I don't know. But with Uther like this, and Cenred gathering men, Camelot is vulnerable," she answers, glancing in worry to her friend.
XXXXXX
Evaine sits at Arthur's table, helping him go through some things of the kingdom, smiling tiredly at Gaius as he enters.
"How are you, sire?" he asks, walking to where Arthur is bent over his desk, scribbling away.
"It's not me who's sick," Arthur says, not looking up.
"It can't be easy to see your father this way," Gaius says, and Evaine looks, seeing Arthur glance at Gaius, standing properly.
"No. He's always been so strong. He lifted his kingdom from its knees, Gaius. To see him now..."
"I am sure that, over time, he will recover. But until then, we have to make plans, Arthur. We need you to assume control," Gaius says, and Evaine stands from her seat.
"That's ridiculous," Arthur mutters, looking back at the papers on his desk.
"Camelot needs a leader. It falls to you. You must fulfil your role as regent. This is not just me talking. Members of the court have spoken," Gaius tells him.
"So now you've taken to whispering behind my back. What kind of treason is this?" Arthur asks.
"It's for the good of the kingdom," Gaius tells him.
"I'm not going to usurp my father," Arthur states.
"The palace is awash with rumours. The people are restless," Gaius insists.
"I swore allegiance to my King, and as long as there is breath in his body, it is my duty to uphold that," Arthur states, walking over to the window and looking out.
"Arthur, please," Gaius begs.
"You are giving up on my father. That is something I will never do," Arthur tells him, turning his back on him. Evaine places her hand on Gaius' arm, nodding at him. She watches as Gaius leaves, before walking over to stand beside Arthur.
"When I first came here, I was in awe. My father often told me stories of Camelot. The great King Uther who he had fought beside. The knights, so brave and bold. But it was my mother who spoke to me of Arthur Pendragon. A boy who could shoot an arrow and bring down the largest of creatures. A boy who already knew battle tactics better than he could write. A boy who would one day become king," she says, glancing at him. "I am privileged to know that boy become a man. I have faith in you, Arthur, more than anyone else. I know your father has that same faith in you, to do was is needed to be done," she tells him, placing her hand on his arm. He smiles softly, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close to his side.
"I can't betray him," he says, and she nods.
"But you cannot leave Camelot without a ruler until he gets better," she tells him, and he sighs.
XXXXXX
Arthur and Evaine sit at Uther's bedside the next day. Evaine smiles softly as Morgana enters, placing her arm around Arthur's shoulder.
"I need him to get better," Arthur says, a tear falling silently.
"I know," Morgana says quietly.
"I'm glad you're here," Arthur says, wrapping his arm around her waist.
"I'll make sure he's looked after, don't worry," she promises, and Evaine nods in agreement.
"We will both look after him," she says, Morgana and Evaine smiling softly as Arthur nods gratefully.