Chapter 24

We stand behind a wall, near Arthur's chambers where Sofia entered not long ago. Aulfric walks past us, meeting his daughter as she exits the Prince's chambers.

"He's ready. Tomorrow he'll do what we need him to," she slyly coos.

"Good, you have done well," Aulfric coaxes, "I must go to the Elders."

Aulfric walks away, as we wait for Sofia to go out of sight. We follow him out of Camelot on foot, which is not a pleasant experience since my cardio has not been maintained since birth. We follow him all the way to the Lake of Avalon where Aulfric walks to the edge. A gust of wind blows through the trees, making my hair fly in front of my face, my throat holding in a choke as some flies into my mouth, hitting the back of it. I let out a gurgling sound, Merlin looking at me in disgust.

"I seek an audience with the Sidhe elders. Do:tiag-sa ar idbarit do denam!"

I don't have time to question what Sidhe elders are as a magical blue haze spreads over the lake. I don't understand what I see, and glancing at Merlin I see that his eyes glow gold and his mouth is parted in a smile as he watches what is happening.

"I come before you to plead for the chance to win passage back to Avalon and a life of immortality," he calls out to the mist. I don't understand what is going on, he is talking to a mist.

"Your punishment for killing another Sidhe is a mortal body and a mortal life. You will never be able to return to Avalon," the mist speaks with an ethereal flow. The mist is alive.

"The crime was mine, not my daughter's," Aulfric pleads.

"The gates of Avalon remain closed to your daughter. Unless the soul of a mortal prince be offered up to them," the mist speaks again.

"Thank you. An immortal life for my daughter is all that I desire, so I promise you the soul of the greatest prince of all. Arthur Pendragon."

The dots connect and the mist disperses back into nothingness, Aulfric disappearing back into the woods. Merlin and I stay hidden behind our tree until he is well out of sight.

"I'm mean," I shrug, "At least he's not killing Arthur for revenge. Something new this week, spicing things up," I chime in, trying to make a joke and by the look on Merlin's face, it is not well taken.

Back in Gaius' chambers, Merlin tells him what he saw.

"Avalon. What you saw at the lake, it's Avalon. It must be…"

"What's?..."

"The land of eternal youth. Mortals are only supposed to glimpse at it the moment before death.

"Well I've seen it and I'm still here," Merlin counters.

"Hang on," I call, holding up a hand. "What did you see? Because I saw a blue mist talking and I'm pretty sure that wasn't this Avalon place."

"It was like, these fairies. They were so magical looking," he reminisces.

"What?" I gasp, "You saw fairies and all I get to see was a blue cloud." I slam my fist against the table. "That's so unfair. But how are we going to stop them, we don't even know who they are."

"We do now." Gaius sits at his desk, Merlin and I joining him and he a book with ancient writing in it. "I found writing like this on the top of Aulfric's staff. It's Ogham, an ancient script. Abas ocus bithe. Duthectad bithlane. 'To hold life and death in your hands.' from the writing on his staff and what you saw at the lake, I'm afraid I'm now certain. We're dealing with the Sidhe.

"The things Merlin saw at the Lake" I query uncertainly, trying to keep up. "Because even the name sounds all-powerful."

"They're masters of enchantment,' Gaius adds.

"Which would explain what I saw in the forest. And it would explain why Arthur is just so compliant," I connect, "I mean, Sofia is pretty and all but she's not his type."

"What do you know about Arthur's type?" Merlin challenges.

"His type is Gwen," I intone.

"Gwen?"

"Yes, but this isn't the most important topic right now."

"Right. Sorry. So Morgana's dream is coming true?"

"I'm afraid so," Gaius admits.

Merlin and I leave Gaius to find Arthur, a guard informing us that he is headed the court to speak to the King. We arrive just after Arthur, Merlin entering just after him but I stay back, not welcome in this court with my standing unless invited or with an audience. I try to overhear, placing my ear against the wall as the guards are on the inside with the door closed.

Arthur declares his love for Sophia, requesting Uther's permission to marry her. My gossip face is on full effect as I listen in. Out of nowhere, a new face appears right before me, leaning against the wall with their ear to it. I barely held in a shriek, my hands clenched in fists.

"What are we listening in on?" Castor whispers.

"Arthur is speaking to Uther about marrying Sophia," I inform him in a hushed tone.

"I thought you said you would handle this," he drawled, a judgmental face peering at me.

I return a shrew face of my own. "Yes, I'm in the middle of it," I hiss. He mouths 'okay', holding his hands in defence.

"I'm going to marry her. I don't care what either of you think about it," Arthur's voice declares, the power of the words coming even through the closed wooden door.

"But you only met two days ago," Uther tries to reason but he would never be able to overcome the enchantment with simple words.

"We're in love."

"In love? We had no idea that you were such a romantic, had we, Morgana?"

"No," she pauses. 'He's full of surprises."

"I'm going to marry her. I don't care what either of you think about it."

"I thought you'd come to ask my permission?"

"Out of courtesy, nothing more."

Castor and I share, an 'oh damn' look. "Is this what high school drama was like- because I missed out on it?"

"This is better," I declare, still hushed. "This is soap drama stuff."

"Arrest Sophia and Aulfric Tir-Mor."

"What are you doing?"

"And inform the executioner his services will be required tomorrow morning."

"Yes! I can. And unless you show me some respect, I will." The king's words are final, those of a true king. Arthur must do as Uther requests as his next words are even and calculated. "Release them. You've got your whole life ahead of you. Sophia is no doubt your first love, but she certainly won't be the only one. Enjoy yourself while you can."

Arthur storms out of the council, Castor and I narrowly miss getting hit with the door, Merlin walking back over to me rather than following the Prince.

"You know," I sigh, "Our problem was solved for a half a minute there. But no. Arthur just had to listen to his father." Merlin glances to Castor, unsure about his presence. The two have met before on a few occasions and are an acquaintance. "Castor is fine. He saw Arthur get enchanted, we can trust him. He won't say anything," I look to the knight, reaching up and pulling his ear. "Will you?" I dare.

He twists around, "Ow –no! I won't. Damn woman," he cries, rubbing his ear as I let go. "I'm guessing you both are dealing with it. I'll let you be. Leon suspects something fishy is going on but he doesn't have any evidence and I'm sure the both of you don't have anything so just make sure you lay low. I can cover you if you need."

"Thank you," I tell him sincerely.

"Why?" Merlin asks, squinting.

"Because Elena is my friend and you are too Merlin. I trust you both." Merlin nods giving the knight a genuine smile.

Night has fallen and Merlin is determined to make Arthur see reason.

"I'll come. I need to grab any clothes that need mending anyways."

As we arrive in Arthur's chambers, he is packing a bag, as though preparing for travel. He is still in his chainmail which is odd for this hour of the day.

"Both of you, get out," he warns. I halt in my step but Merlin continues in, not fazed by the Prince's order.

"I thought the King was a bit harsh." Where are you going with this Merlin?

"I don't need sympathy, Merlin, especially not from you."

"Good, because we're not here to give it to you," I say, picking up a pile of clothes he leaves for me to take.

"Seriously, Elena? I'm not going to be lectured by my servant and a seamstress!"

"The King had a point," Merlin pushes. If Arthur was angry before, he is furious now, the veins in his neck protruding and his eyes bore into Merlin's and my own.

"I ordered you to get out. Now leave me," he demands.

"No, Arthur. You have to listen to us. You think you're in love with Sophia but you're not. It's fake, all of it. You need to push it aside and think about this logically," I urge him, striding closer so I'm in his face.

"Who are you to tell me what I'm thinking?"

"We're you, friends."

"And you have every reason to trust us. When have we lied to you?" I implore, my hands desperate to shake him into sense. Arthur scoffs, turning away from us. Sophia and Aulfric storm into the room. "They cast a spell on you."

"I told you people would try to keep us apart," Sophia chides, glaring at the both of us.

"Cut the act sweetheart," I snap, over her façade. "We already know everything."

"I won't let that happen," Arthur assures, blind and deaf to my words.

"We can elope together," Sophia hums melodically.

"To hell, you will!" I shriek.

"We followed him, Arthur. They want to sacrifice you in exchange for immortality."

"No-"Arthur bellows, "We're in love. That doesn't make sense."

"Because of the spell. Arthur. They're magical, just look at his staff!" I leap towards Aulfric to grab the staff but my words to Arthur warn him and he lunges out of the way, eyes glowing red just as Sophia's had in the forest. "See Arthur!"

Aulfric points his staff at me, muttering a spell. My legs lift off the ground but I feel weightless, my hair floats around my face like I'm underwater but I can't move, trapped in the spell.

"Elena!"

"I see everything," Arthur mumbles, but his eyes are red. We've lost him. Merlin lunges for the staff just as I did but he spits out another spell towards my warlock friend.

"Na mben sis!"

Merlin is thrown against the back wall, his head hitting the stone and he falls to the ground unconscious. My throat cries out for him but the voice never reaches my mouth, my muscles not obeying me. I watch helplessly as they walk out of the room, Arthur willingly obeying them without hesitation. I eye Merlin, hoping he would wake or that I could call out to him but the only control I possess is with my eyes.

Not long after, Merlin begins to stir, sitting up. Gaius enters the chambers at the same time.

"What happened?" he shrieks, head-turning between both of us. He goes over to Merlin first, assessing his head. Merlin stands up, stumbling.

"I have to get to Arthur, Aulfric he-, what's that buzzing sound?" he says, scratching his head.

"Careful, Merlin, you can barely stand up," Gaius warns. Merlin glance at me, as I still float helpless and silent. Blinking his eyes slowly as if trying to regain sight he points his hand at me, muttering a spell which releases me from my prison. I collapse to the floor but push myself up.

"Merlin!" I cry, running over to see his head which is covered in blood. "Are you ok?" I grasp his neck, on my tippy toes to look at it.

He doesn't move away but smiles at me, "I'm fine. But we have to go."

"Of course."

"You can't, not in this state. You owe it to your powers that you survived this at all."

"I'm fine. He needs me."

"Has the buzzing stopped?"

"Yeah."

"Liar."

I step in, gripping Merlin's hand. "I'll take care of him, Gaius. We have to go otherwise Arthur will die. I'll make sure both of them return. Alive."

"The Sidhe are vicious people. You must both be careful," he warns.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Merlin assures, walking away from my grasp towards the window. I watch him, not sure what he is doing.

"Merlin?" Gaius calls, pointing at the door. "This way."

"Just testing," he replies, grabbing my arm as he passes back by as we go out to follow the Sidhe.

We run through the forest, my throat wheezing in the night air but I hold in the grunts as Merlin runs beside me. We near the lake, jumping over fallen branches, my dress hiked up to my knees. Merlin trips and I skid along the dirt. Jogging back to pick him up by the elbows.

Finally, the lake is visible, Sophia and Arthur walking in and Aulfric on the shore, speaking words in an unknown language.

"Onbregdan," he chants, the staff flying into his hands. "Swilte, gold berþ."

Lightning from the staff erupts, aimed at Aulfric who realises what is happening too late. The man explodes on the spot.

"Father! No! No" Sophia cries, paddling back through the water to where her father used to stand. Merlin points the staff at her as well, and she explodes the same way. I watch, intrigued how someone could explode in such a fashion but the thought passes my mind as I realise Arthur is nowhere to be seen.

"Arthur! Arthur!" Merlin cries out, running to the shore. Grabbing his arm, I stop him in his place.

"No Merlin. I'm a strong swimmer and you've hit you head." I remove my boots as fast as I humanly can. "I'll do this."

Fully clothed, I wade into the water, diving as soon as the depth allows me. Bubbles float to the surface and I dive down into the dark water, blindly reaching out for the Prince. I go deeper and deeper as my throat constricts and my ears begin to hurt but I don't waste precious time trying to equalise them. A glint of shimmer catches my eye just as I am about to swim back up. The shimmer turns into armour and Arthur becomes fully visible just meters below me. My lungs scream at me but I ignore it, pushing down even further. My hand finally locks in with his and I spin around, aiming for the surface and using all my remaining energy on dragging his body up with me.

The surface comes nearer and nearer, but it seems still so far away. As I am thinking that I would not make it, I break through the surface, gasping in the fresh air. I pull Arthur's head above the surface but he remains unconscious. Merlin had waded into the water as well and I back paddle to meet him. Merlin takes Arthur from me as I still catch my breath, lying down on the shore, the waves kicking against my feet.

"He… he needs to lose some weight," I grumble out, spitting out water. Wet hair sticks to my forehead, a feeling I loathe but my wet and soggy clothes make me feel even worse. "Let's get him back."

With an arm over each of us, we haul Arthur back to Camelot. The lack of sun means that my clothes don't dry and neither does Arthur's which only adds to his weight. I shiver, goosebumps in places I didn't know they could exist. My teeth chatter together which surely annoyed Merlin but we don't exactly have the luxury of building a fire or a change of clothes. I could swear my lips are turning blue and my hair is a frizzy mess but it doesn't matter since Arthur is still very much alive.

Merlin and I drop in the courtyard, just stopping Arthur's head hitting the ground. Leon, the only knight out at this hour rushes over, wrapping a red cloak around me.

"Oh, hey Leon," I mutter, eyes. "Arthurs alright, but sleeping."

"Elena, what on earth we're you doing? You're freezing. And wet," he prattles.

"Yeah," I look up at him with a sarcastic smile. "I know. My highlight of the week. Just saving Arthur once again."

"What happened to him?"

"He uh…" what's a reasonable story. "Was trying to elope with Sophia but we knocked him out and brought him back."

"You – you knocked out the Prince?" he asks, bewildered.

"Well, Merlin did if you're going to blame anybody but it was my idea. We should follow him actually."

Leon helps me up and Merlin and I follow him as he carries Arthur to Gaius' chamber, who is waiting and prepared for us. Leon stays here, as one of the King's trusted, he would make sure the Prince is alright.

"He will be fine, Gaius?" he asks, scanning Arthur who lays unconscious on the bed.

"Oh, just fine. He should wake shortly. Did anybody see you arrive?"

"No, I don't think so. Why?"

"Because I'm sure the Prince won't want people knowing what happened."

I sit at the table, wrapped in Leon's cloak, said person sitting next to me. I realise Merlin might not have the same cover story so I think of a way to bring it up without arousing suspicion.

"Merlin," I call. "I was just telling Sir Leon about what happened. How Arthur was trying to elope and we went to stop him. That you knocked him out and stuff," I say, hoping my eyes hint at him not show any confusion but the boy is smart.

"Yeah. He was quite adamant about marrying her but I don't think he will anymore." His head tilts, pursing his lips. "He will also probably tell his father something other story and nobody will thank us but what's new," he rants. Leon laughs; looking intrigued by the interaction but doesn't say anything.

"The things we do for Arthur," I muse, leaning onto the knight for warmth. "I need some dry clothes."