Chapter 8: The Mark of Nimueh 1x03
A/N: I felt like I should incorporate more third person POV into this cause there is stuff I want to do that Amelia is not always going to be there for.
—
Third person POV
One morning Anne left her home carrying a bunch of flowers in her hands and walked to Gwen and her father's house as she and Gwen often met up with one another when walking to the castle.
As she approached, Gwen's father exited and gave her a nod and smile before walking off to the black smiths to begin work. Gwen then appeared at the door holding a similar bunch of flowers and greeted Anne. They both preceded to head of to the castle.
They were about to cross the draw bridge when both Anne and Gwen noticed Merlin and Gaius wheeling a cart over the castle drawbridge. Anne and Gwen approached them.
"What are you doing?" Gwen asked.
"Er... just moving something." Merlin awkwardly said.
"Looks heavy." Anne said trying to lean around Merlin to try and see what was on the cart. Gaius just stood on the other side of the cart waiting for them to finish talking.
"Earm, it's nothing really. Erm... did someone get the two of you flowers?" Merlin said diverting the conversation, which caused Anne to frown.
"Oh! No." Gwen giggled. Anne gave her a slight smirk.
"We picked them ourselves." Anne said. "Would you like one?"
"A purple one." Gwen decided handing merlin one of the flowers but then began to ramble, "Purple suits you. Not that I'm saying red doesn't suit you." She flushed red.
"Thanks. Well, er..." Merlin put the flower in his scarf. Gwen smiled.
"Er... see you." Merlin said turning away from the two girls and began to push the cart again.
"Bye." Gwen said wistfully. Anne narrowed her eyes at Gaius and Merlin's retreating figures. Something is going on, She thought.
—
Amelia's POV
I was sitting in Morgana's chambers talking when Gwen and Anne entered with two bunches of flowers in each of their hands. It made sense that Anne would also walk into Morgana's rooms as both Morgana and I were often found together in either one of our chambers.
Morgana stood up from where we were sitting to walk over to them smiling and said, "You two look happy."
"We picked these for the two of you." Gwen said holding out the flowers in her hands.
"Oh, that's so sweet." Morgana said taking the flowers from Gwen's hands while I stood and took my bunch from Anne's hands. "Thank you Anne." I said. She smiled at my gratitude.
"Something to cheer you up." Gwen said.
"We know the two of you are not sleeping well." Anne said.
"You two cheer us up." Morgana said.
"We do not know what we would do without you." I complimented.
"Would you like us to put them in water for you?" Gwen asked. Morgana nodded smiling.
As they do this I turn to them and asked, "How has your morning been?"
"Nothing interesting, though Merlin was being very secretive when we met him and Gaius at the draw bridge earlier." Anne answered.
"Oh?" I asked. Is this the beginning of another episode? Wasn't it something to do with Nimueh?
"They were pushing this cart with a blanket covering what was on it. I'm sure it is nothing." Gwen answered this time. Mmm…
—
I decided to go to Gaius' after talking to Morgana, Gwen and Anne for a while to find out what was going on. I knocked on the door and Merlin came to answer it letting me in. I walked in and saw that Gaius was leaning over a body that lay on a table in the middle of the room looking it with a magnifying glass.
"What's happening?" I asked.
"We found this body on the street." Merlin answered. "Are you alright? You look exhausted."
This caused to Gaius to look up as I answered, "Oh it's these dreams I have. They have been happening since I was child."
"I've never seen anything like this before." Gaius interrupted.
Merlin walked back to the table with me following behind him. "Do you think it could be some kind of plague?" He asked.
I bent over the body looking at it. "Don't poke the body!" Gaius said.
"But- I wasn't-" I spluttered. Gaius gave me a look. Okay maybe I was. I always seem to have the urge to things a lot of the time. It was probably a good thing that Gaius stopped me from poking a dead body.
"Mmm…" He said, clearly not believing me before turning to Merlin. "No. I fear that something like this could never come from nature. But who has this kind of power?"
"You think it's caused by magic?" Merlin questioned.
"Merlin!" Arthur yelled from the other side of the door. Merlin opened the door before Arthur could come in and see the body.
"Erm... I'm on my way. Sorry I'm late." Merlin said.
"Don't worry. I'm getting used to it." Arthur said exasperatedly. Arthur furrowed his brow when he saw the flower in Merlin's scarf.
Merlin looked down at it. "Oh, er... Gwen, she gave it to me."
"Tell Gaius my father wants to see him now." Arthur ordered.
"Okay." Merlin said closing the door once Arthur began walking back down the corridor. "Gaius..." Merlin began to say turning back towards me and Gaius.
"I heard." Gaius interrupted.
"Wait, why couldn't he just tell you himself?" Merlin asked walking back towards the table with the body.
"Because that's the way it is. You're a servant." I said.
"Wha... if he knew who I was, what I've done..." Merlin reasoned.
"You'd be a dead servant. Right, get this covered up." Gaius said. I sniggered at the comment.
"Hey, I'm not your servant." Merlin said clearly annoyed at the two of us.
"No, you're my dogsbody. Come on, hurry up." Gaius answered.
—
I followed Merlin and Gaius into the Council Chambers where some of the court had congregated. A dead body lay on the floor. Gaius bent down to observe the body.
"What's happened to him?" Uther asked.
"I don't know, Sire. It's the second case I've seen today." Gaius said while still kneeling next to the body. Merlin and I continued to stand behind him.
"Why didn't you report it to me?" Uther demanded rather than asked. He's a little busy mate.
Gaius stood up. "I was attempting to find the cause."
"What did you conclude?"
"I don't think it's time to hurry to conclusions. The scientific process is a long one." Gaius stalled.
"What are you concealing from me?" Uther insisted. Okay he's a little smart to detect that Gaius is hiding something from him.
"Sire, I have seen nothing like it. The victims are dying in 24 hours, and it's spreading fast." Gaius said.
"What is the cause?" Uther asked.
"I think you should say that the cause, the most likely cause, is sorcery." Gaius announced. Bit dramatic.
Uther immediately pulled Arthur aside having a quick quiet conversation with him. I knew Uther was asking him to do searches in Camelot to find the sorcerer. I couldn't help but think how stupid this was. Why would the sorcerer who caused this be in Camelot? It would be a bit stupid of them to do that.
—
I had retreated back to my chambers as Uther instructed that it was best that I was to stay in the castle due to the plague spreading. As I was reading a book, Arthur and a number of guards suddenly burst into my chambers.
"Arthur!" I exclaimed. The guards immediately began searching through my things. I couldn't help but be glad that my notes on the show was well hidden.
"Sorry Amelia," Arthur said. "I'm just doing my job."
"I doubt the sorcerer is going to be in here." I said in a exasperated tone.
"I know but I have to search every room in the castle no matter who inhabits it." Arthur said.
I simply slumped back into my chair as I watched them mess up my things before they eventually left with Arthur muttering a "sorry" to me as he closed the door behind him.
Just another day in Camelot, I thought as I got back up to sort out my things so Anne wouldn't have to.
—
Before I knew it Uther had imposed a curfew which meant no one out in the streets after the great bell. As well as the lower town being cordoned off. I felt like I couldn't continue to do nothing so I sauntered down to Gaius' Chambers to see what he had found so far.
When I arrived I noticed they were about to start looking at another body. How lovely, I thought.
"Ah Amelia," Gaius said when he noticed me. "Now what do you two think is different about this victim?"
"Er... she's a woman." Merlin guessed.
"Really I had no idea." I said sarcastically.
"Sometimes I do wonder whether you're a magical talents were given to the right person." Gaius muttered indirectly agreeing with me. "Anything else?"
"Erm... she's a courtier." Merlin guessed again.
"Ah." Gaius said in encouragement.
"How does that help us?" Merlin asked.
"She's a courtier," I said trying to help Merlin figure it out. "That means she likely would rarely go down to the lower town."
"So what does that mean?" Gaius prompted.
"Erm... that, that she hasn't spoken to any townspeople." Merlin further guessed. Gaius looked pained and I couldn't help but sigh.
"Yes, it suggests that the disease is not spread by contact." Gaius told him.
"Oh, and they probably ate different food." Merlin said.
"Good. Anything else?" Gaius prompted.
"Erm... I doubt they breathe the same air." Merlin said.
"So what would every person need to survive no matter their station?" I asked him.
"Water. Water? You think the disease is spread through water?" Merlin finally got it.
"Merlin, you're a prodigy." Gaius said sarcastically handing Merlin a bucket. Merlin then turned to walk to the Lower Town well. Love Gaius' sarcasm.
—
I was still in Gaius' Chambers when Gwen came rushing in with tears in her eyes.
"Gwen!" Gaius exclaimed in surprise.
"Gaius." Was all that Gwen said.
"Are you ill?" I asked concerned.
She shook her head and begged, "My father! Please, Gaius, he's all I have."
"Gwen, I have no cure." Gaius answered.
Gwen sobbed, "I am begging you!"
"I wish there was something, anything, but so far the remedy is beyond what I can achieve." Gaius uttered taking her hand. I noticed that Merlin had entered by this point. "I'm sorry, Gwen."
Gwen didn't answer and ran out of the room.
"I'll follow her" I said before running after her.
I caught up with Gwen as she left the castle. "Gwen!" I called. "Wait!"
"Oh Amelia!" She sobbed. "I do not know what to do!"
"Come here." I said pulling her into a hug. I didn't know what to say so I figured the best way to comfort her was to just hold her and be there for her. I wanted to come with her to her house but I knew the guards would stop me before I even entered so I walked with Gwen to where the lower town began telling her she should stay with her father and not work for now. I couldn't help but feel I was missing something important.
—
Third Person POV
Anne, after Amelia's asking, agreed to stay with Gwen to be with her as she watched over her own father. After a while the two of them had fallen asleep, Gwen kneeling on the floor with her head resting on the bed and Anne in a chair in the corner.
Anne was suddenly startled awake when someone began to shake her. She opened her eyes and lifted her head to realise it was Gwen, who had a big smile on her face.
"Gwen?" She asked before glancing around Gwen and noticed that Tom's face was completely clear of any sickness. "Tom?!" She exclaimed rushing over to him. "What happened?" Glancing between him and Gwen.
"I do not know! But is it not amazing!" Gwen cried. She lent forward to hug her father.
Anne, worried about how this could have happened, reached over and touched her on the shoulder. "Maybe we should leave him to rest Gwen."
"Of course." She agreed. Gwen then moved to her own bed so that she could rest.
Anne waited till she was asleep before checking under Tom's pillow and noticed a glowing poultice. Anne wanted to check the magical signature of the poultice and quickly muttered something under breath before her eyes flashed gold. She then tucked it into the pocket (Amelia insisted pockets were necessary) of her dress. Someone had used magic to heal Tom she realised, though she was not sure who.
As she stepped away to sneak back into her own home now that Tom was better. What she did not notice as she slipped out of the house was the poultice slipping from her pocket and onto the floor.
—
Amelia's POV
I was walking along the corridors the next morning wondering if I could sneak into the lower town to see how Gwen's father was. Anne had been in a odd mood this morning and I wondered why though if Tom had died she probably would have told me. I then heard screaming. I turned the corner and saw Arthur walking towards me and guards behind him dragging Gwen down the Upper Corridor.
"No, please. You've got to listen to me! Please, I haven't done anything wrong! You have to listen to me, please! I am innocent, I swear! Let me go! I swear to you!" Gwen begged but no one was listening. Gwen turned her head and saw Merlin, who had approached behind her.
"Merlin! Merlin, please help me!" She begged him before turning to the guards. "Why won't you listen to me?!" Gaius took Merlin's arm and escorted him out of the corridor.
"Please listen to me!" Gwen begged seeming to not notice me watching in horror as she passed me.
I quickly walked towards Morgana's chambers as that was the direction Gwen had come from.
"Morgana?" I asked as I entered. Morgana was pacing around the room. "Why is Arthur arresting Gwen?"
"Arthur found a magical poultice in Gwen's house after seeing that her father has suddenly recovered, he has decided she is the sorcerer!" She explained.
I then remembered what my brain had been trying to tell for hours. Merlin had gone to cure Gwen's father. The idiot! I wished Merlin would have spoken to me about this! I could have done something. Not necessarily let Gwen's father die but made it so it would have been less obvious? Like cure more than one person?
"We have to stand up for her." I declared. Morgana nodded following me as I left the room.
—
As we entered, Anne having joined us on the way to the council chambers, we heard Gwen cry, "Why will no one believe me?! He got better, he just recovered. I didn't do anything!"
"We believe you." Morgana declared, the three of us stopping next to Gwen, who had been thrown to the floor. "Perhaps this is a disease that is not always fatal. Have you thought of that? Perhaps he recovered naturally."
"And what of this poultice that was found?" Uther asked.
Gwen grabbed onto this, "What poultice? I don't know anything about a poultice!"
"It was found in your house. Undo this enchantment. Put an end to this contagion." Just because she 'healed' her father didn't mean that she actually got her father ill. Could easily be someone else Uther. I highly doubt that a sorceress that had caused a plague would be so obvious.
"I can't!" Gwen sobbed.
"I will show you no mercy." Uther declared.
"I am not a witch. I don't know how to stop the illness!" Gwen said trying to persuade him.
"If you will not undo your sorcery, you force my hand and I must find you guilty..."
"But I told you, I..." Gwen interrupted.
But Uther continued as he hadn't heard her. "It is therefore my duty to pronounce judgment. And under the circumstance I have no choice but to sentence you to death."
"No." Gwen cried but he did not listen.
"I can only hope that when you die, this evil plague dies with you." (A/N:This reminds me of the witch trials where they drowned women to see if they were witches. Horrible as they are as it is gambling with someone's life and hoping for the best.)
"No! No!" Gwen sobbed.
"Take her away." Uther ordered. Guards dragged Guinevere, who was begging and saying she was innocent, backwards out of the room. Courtiers leave and Morgana and I watch as Gwen gets dragged off. Anne followed after them.
Morgana then turned to Uther, "I know Gwen, she's my maidservant, not an enchantress."
"Have you ever seen an enchantress? Believe me, they bear no sign, no mark. There is no sense of evil in the eye."
"You see no sense of evil in her eyes because she is not!" I insisted.
Morgana persisted, "I've seen the way the girl works. Her fingers are worn, her nails are broken. If she was a sorceress, why would she do this? Why would she kneel on a cold stone floor morning after morning when she could make these things happen with a snap of her fingers? Like an idle king!"
"You have no right!" Uther said angrily.
"You have no right to cast a judgement on that girl!" I said backing Morgana.
"I have a responsibility to take care of this kingdom! I take no pleasure in this!" Stop acting as if you are the victim in this Uther.
"Killing all of them once you get a whiff of the possibility magic is not taking care!" I said, my voice rising. Uther looked at me with an angry look on his face.
Before he could say anything to me, Morgana continued, "You're sentencing the wrong person!"
"They are right, Father. You hear the word magic, you no longer listen." Arthur piped up.
"You saw it for yourself. She used enchantments." Uther argued.
"Yes, maybe. But to save her dying father, that doesn't make her guilty of creating a plague. One's the act of, of kindness, of love, the other of evil. I don't believe evil's in this girl's heart." Yes Arthur, I thought, defend your future wife.
"I have witnessed what witchcraft can do. I have suffered at its hand." That was some what your fault Uther. "I cannot take that chance. If there is the slightest doubt about this girl, she must die or the whole kingdom may perish."
"I understand that." Arthur tried.
"One day you may become King. Then you will understand. Such decisions must be made. There are dark forces that threaten this kingdom." You're the dark force Uther.
"I know. Witchcraft is an evil, father. So is injustice." I gave him a small smile. "Yes, I am yet to be King, and I don't know what kind of king I will be, but I do have a sense of the kind of Camelot I would wish to live in. It would be where the punishment fits the crime."
"I fear you're right. She's played with fire, and sadly she must die by fire." That was not what he was saying Uther.
"I mean she did not literally play with fire" I said before I could stop myself. They all gave me incredulous looks.
Morgana grabbed my arm pulling me from the room and muttered, "Not helping!"
—
Third Person POV
After talking to Gaius about how stupid he was, Merlin hurried to the dungeons to see Gwen and he came across a crying Morgana and Amelia going up the Wrought Iron Stairway. Amelia gave him a watery smile stopping him before he passed, letting Morgana scurry ahead.
"Were you the one to cure her father Merlin?" Amelia asked quietly.
Merlin looked down guiltily before looking up, "Yes," He whispered.
"It's not your fault Merlin, but I wished you had spoken to me about what you were going to do." Amelia said.
"I did not know she would be blamed!" Merlin exclaimed a little louder than he should causing a guard to glance at them.
"Uther is not rational." Amelia quietly murmured. "I do not know why he thinks the sorcerer who caused this would stay in Camelot. And just because someone supposedly used magic he assumes that she obviously caused this." She rolled her eyes. "I have to go to Morgana, but we need to do something."
Merlin nodded thinking of his own plan that would not involve Amelia, who turned to hurry after Morgana.
"Gwen." Merlin whispered when he reached her cell door noticing Anne just sitting by the cell door not saying anything other than being there for Gwen. Gwen tried to get to the cell door, but her chains don't stretch that far. He could see she'd been crying.
"Thank you." She said.
"What for?" Merlin asked.
"For coming to see me."
"Of course he'll come to see you Gwen." Anne said. "You have lots of people who care for you."
Merlin nodded. "I'm sorry." He said.
"It's not your fault." Gwen said firmly.
"Well..."Merlin said with a guilty look on his face.
"It's alright. Don't worry about me. There's no point crying about it. I mean...I mean, I'm not saying that you were going to cry about me. Obviously I don't think that." Gwen rambled. Anne couldn't help but smile at seeing Gwen ramble like she always does.
"Oh, Gwen. I can't have this happen." Merlin said.
"Please, one thing. You, you don't have to, but..." She trailed off.
"What?" Merlin asked.
Remember me."
"Of course we will Gwen." Anne said with a small smile.
"You're not going to die. I'm not going to let this happen." Merlin declared before turning away, Anne quickly scurried after him.
After catching up to him at the top of the stairs, Anne turned to him.
"I was there with them." Anne whispered, Merlin looked at her in feigned surprise, which Anne noticed but she continued. "I think Tom did not say anything to protect me as I probably should not have been in there house in the first place."
"That's kind of him." Merlin said.
"I wish he would not though, I do not want to see him lose his own daughter." Anne said quietly. "He has a son, but he has not seen him for years." She glanced around. "The thing is, I found the poultice under his pillow and tried to hide it but I must have dropped it. I feel so stupid!"
"It's not your fault." Merlin insisted before quickly leaving, rushing up the Wrought Iron Stairway more determined than ever to hand himself over.
—
Amelia's POV
After seeing that Morgana had fallen asleep, I hurried to Gaius' Chambers to see what I could do to help Gwen. I felt guilty for not doing more to stop this. As I walked in I heard Merlin and Gaius arguing.
"What else could I do? It's my fault Gwen's going to die." Merlin persisted.
"Yes, but you don't prove her innocence by offering to jump into the flames. You do it by finding out what's causing the disease!" Gaius argued.
"You did what?!" I exclaimed. The two of them spun around and looked at me varying looks on their faces.
"Merlin thought it was a brilliant idea to offer himself as the sorcerer who did this to save Gwen!" Gaius explained. "The only thing that will save her is to understand the disease."
"Well, whatever it is, one thing's for sure: Arthur isn't going to find it. He thinks he is so sharp! But even when I told him I was a wizard, he still couldn't see it." Merlin complained.
"Sometimes they're pretty hard to spot." Gaius said sarcastically.
"Well, maybe I should go around wearing a pointy hat." Merlin joked. I couldn't help but snigger at that. He gave me a smile glad that I found his remark funny while Gaius definitely did not.
"I don't think you'll find one big enough. Anyway, forget that. If we're going to save Gwen, we have to find out what's contaminating the water." Gaius said grabbing a bucket and walked out of the room with Merlin and I following after him.
—
Gaius, Merlin and I entered the underground entrance to the water supply.
"Never been down here." I whispered to Merlin. 'It's exciting."
Merlin looked around the cavern in disdain and fear. "I would not say that." He muttered.
"Are you scared?" I asked teasingly.
"No!" Merlin exclaimed a bit too defensively. To be honest I was a little nervous myself, never been much of a fan of the dark.
After walking for a while we reached the water basin, Gaius turned to us, "The water from here supplies the whole town. Take a sample." Merlin put a bottle in the water and collected some.
"Let's take it back and examine it." Gaius said. We all began to turn away when suddenly a creature reared up out of the water. We all spun around and it went back in the water. Ah I forgot about that. Going down here is no longer exciting.
"What the hell was that?" Merlin took Merlin's arm so that he would follow as we all left the cavern.
—
We reached Gaius' chambers and immediately began to pour through his many books. Gaius and Merlin looked at a book
"Here." Gaius said after a short while. "It was an Afanc."
"An...a what?" Merlin stumbled in confusion.
"A beast born of clay, and conjured up only by the most powerful sorcerer. Now we have to find a way to defeat it. But where?" Gaius asked before looking at shelves of many many books.
"Oh god." I said in despair.
"That could take days." Merlin said agreeing with me. "Gwen'll be dead by then."
"Have you got a better idea?" Gaius asked not expecting an answer.
Merlin just turned and hurried out of the room and I followed him.
"Merlin let me come with you!" I called.
"I don't know…" he said.
"Come on! I can tell you when you are being stupid."
"Fine." He conceded. "We'll go to see Gwen and then I'll introduce you to someone."
As we were crossing the square, we saw a pyre being built on our way to the dungeons. When we walked up to the door we could see Gwen lying on the cell floor.
"Gwen? I'm going to get you out. I will." Merlin said.
"We promise." I said and we both left not waiting for an answer.
—
When we reached the gate that closed off the stairs to the dragon's cave, I quickly grabbed Merlin's arm.
"There's nothing to be worried about." He said thinking that was why I stopped him.
"It's not that." I said. "It just that do you realise that is where the dragon lives?" I knew he already knew that but I continued to play the ignorant card to see what he would say to me.
"Uh…yeah…I've met him" He said seeming a bit unsure now. "Do you not want to…?"
"No it's alright. I've already met him." I answered. He looked at me in surprise.
"You have?" He asked.
"I have been talking to him since I was a child." I was happy I did not have to lie to him about this.
"Oh." He said. "Well you'll be more familiar with the way than I am." I rolled my eyes before grabbing the torch from his hands and descending down the stairs. We reached the bottom of the stairs and stepped into the cave and onto the podium. "Hello?" Merlin called out.
"Hello." Kilgharrah flew down to his rock. "The great warlock returns, as I knew he would. And with the young one who has a destiny that has multiple paths with many turns." Merlin looked at me confused.
"Yeah I do not know what he means either." I said.
"I need to know how to defeat an Afanc." Merlin demanded. Could say it a bit more nicely Merlin.
"Yes, I suppose you do."
Merlin turned to me, "Now I know where you get your attitude from." I elbowed him in the side. "Be more polite Merlin." I said.
"Will you help me?" Merlin asked trying to follow my advice.
"Trust the elements that are at your command." Kilgharrah said as clearly as he always does.
"Elements? But what is it I have to do?" Merlin demanded forgetting my advice.
"You cannot do this alone. You are but one side of a coin. Arthur is the other." What am I? Chopped liver?
"I, I don't understand. Just tell me what it is I have to do." Merlin said but Kilgharrah flies off. "No! Please, help me!"
"I have." Kilgharrah laughs.
"Oh, yeah, right. Thanks." Merlin said sarcastically.
"Now who as an attitude?" I said teasingly, Merlin gave me a look. "He has actually told you what you need to do, you've just got to think. I know it is difficult for you." I gave him a cheeky smile.
—
We both hurried back to Gaius' chambers to comb through any books that talked about elements to come up with an idea. We were frantically searching through books when Gaius entered. "Merlin, Amelia, what are you doing?" He asked.
"Looking for a book." Merlin answered unhelpfully.
I saw Gaius' mouth open to ask another question. "A book on elements." I quickly said hoping to clear up the confusion as soon as possible. "Though they seem to be in most of these no matter what subject."
"Well, the study of base elements is at the very heart of the scientific process." Gaius said.
"But how would they help me kill the Afanc?" Merlin cut in.
"Well, the Afanc is a creature made from earth and water. That's two of the four base elements."
"What about the other two?" Merlin asked.
"Well, perhaps they will destroy it." Gaius said realising what Merlin was looking at. "You want fire. Wind and fire. How did you find this out?"
I glanced at Merlin. "Erm... I just knew, you know? One of my powers." He awkwardly answered. I didn't know why Merlin did not initially tell Gaius about the dragon. He already knows about his magic.
"What else do your powers tell you?" Did he actually believe that?
"That I am only one side of a coin. The brighter side, obviously." Merlin cheekily answered. I swatted him on the shoulder. "Honestly Merlin." I said chuckling.
"And who's the other side?" Gaius asked.
"I think that might be Arthur."
Morgana and Anne suddenly entered the room. "They're bringing forward the execution. We have to prove Gwen's innocence." Morgana informed us.
"We're trying." Gaius said.
"Please, just tell us what we can do to help." Anne begged.
"We need Arthur." Merlin said.
"Arthur?" Morgana asked.
"There's a monster, an Afanc, in the water supply. That's what's causing the plague." I said.
"Well, we must tell Uther." Morgana said.
"The Afanc's a creature forged by magic. Telling Uther wouldn't save Gwen. He'd just blame her for conjuring it." Gaius the voice of reason.
"He's so logical." I said sarcastically.
"So what are we to do?" Anne asked.
"We need to destroy it. Then the plague will stop and Uther may see sense." Merlin said.
"And that's why you need Arthur." Morgana realised.
"He's our best chance. But he won't want to disobey the King." Merlin said.
"Leave that to me." Morgana declared. She exited. Gaius gave Merlin the keys to the water supply tunnels and Anne and I followed him. We left to go to the square to wait for Morgana and Arthur.
—
Morgana and Arthur walk into the Square to where Merlin, Anne and I stood. Arthur drew his sword as he passed, all over us forming a group and when we reached the cavern, we opened the tunnel door and Arthur lit a torch before we descended.
Merlin turned to me as we followed behind the others, "I'm more nervous now knowing that something is crawling about down here."
"I know. Now that I remember it." I said not really thinking about what I was saying.
"What do you mean?" Merlin asked.
"Nothing." I said picking up my pace to walk with Morgana.
"You'd better be right about this, Merlin." Arthur said as we walked further in.
We then all heard a low growl. I gasped along with Morgana despite myself.
"You two should stay here." Arthur said.
"We are coming with you." Morgana stated.
"No."
"Scared we'll show you up?" I asked.
"Father will slam us all in chains if he knew I'd endangered the two of you." Arthur said.
"Well good thing he doesn't know about it then." Morgana said sassily.
"I'm telling you, Morgana, Amelia, turn back. You could get hurt." Arthur said.
"You could too... if you don't get out of our way." I said sliding past him with a sniggering Morgana following behind. I caught Merlin and Anne's amused faces. Arthur rolled his eyes.
"How are we going to find it?" Morgana asked.
"I just hope we do before it finds us." Merlin answered. Arthur suddenly spun around. "Stop."
"What?" Merlin asked.
"It's just a shadow." Arthur said. We kept moving and we reached the water source. "Spread out."
We all split up. As I walked away, I heard a growl and Arthur swiping his torch. I rushed over to him with everyone doing the same.
"What is it? Are you alright?" Morgana asked in rapid succession.
"Yeah." Arthur answered.
"Did you see it?" Merlin asked.
"Yes." Arthur said.
"What did it look like?" Anne asked this time.
"It... it's quick." Thank you Arthur that was really helpful.
The Afanc then came up in front of Morgana, who screamed. Arthur went for it, but it disappeared again.
"Where is it?" Arthur asked frantically.
"I think it's gone this way!" Merlin all walked to where Merlin thought the Afanc went. The Afanc came slowly around corner into full view. Arthur swung at it and lost his sword. It also swipes away Morgana's torch. Arthur circled it with a torch.
"Arthur, use the torch!" Merlin swung the then began to mutter, "Lyfte ic þe in balwen ac forhienan."The spell blew flames into the Afanc, incinerating it.
I quickly grabbed Merlin to give him a hug. "Well done." I whispered in his ear.
"Thank you." He said. As we pulled away, I noticed Anne was staring at Merlin with a frown on her face and I realised that Anne was also standing near Merlin when he cast the spell. I hoped she hadn't heard.
—
We reached the dungeons after Uther had declared that Gwen was innocent to be there when she was released. A guard opened Gwen's cell and Gwen's father was the first to enter with Merlin, Morgana, Anne and I following suit.
"Dad!" Gwen cried. They hugged. "Oh, my little child!" Tom cried. Gwen reaches to grasp Morgana and I's hands.
"Thank you!" She said.
"Don't thank us. It was more Merlin." I said.
"Really?" Gwen asked in surprise.
"He's the real hero here." Morgana said with a big smile on her face.
"I don't know what to say." Gwen said.
Merlin shrugged embarrassed, "I didn't do anything."
"I'm- I'm grateful to you all. Come on, Gwen." Tom said, he and Gwen left leaving Morgana, Anne, Merlin and I still in the cell.
"Merlin." Morgana called to him causing him to turn around from watching Gwen and her father leave. "I wanted you to know, your secret's safe with me." Oh god. I don't think I can bear to listen to this bit, I thought thinking of how much second embarrassment I felt watching this.
"My secret?" Merlin asked.
"Merlin, don't pretend. I know what you did." Morgana said seriously. I didn't blame Merlin for misinterpreting her here.
"You do?" Merlin asked in surprise.
"I saw it with my own eyes." I looked over to see Anne watching the scene with a frown on her face. She clearly was not happy with what was going on here.
"You did?" Merlin asked.
"I understand why you don't anyone to know." Oh Morgana.
"Well, obviously." Merlin chuckled.
"But I won't tell anyone. You don't mind me talking to you about it?"
"Er...no. I, I, it's, er...you have no idea how hard it is to keep this hidden." Thank you Merlin, I thought I was being helpful support.
"Well, you can continue to deny it, but I think Gwen's a very lucky woman." Morgana said.
"Gwen?" Merlin asked in confusion.
Morgana put her finger to her lips, "It's our secret." Morgana smiles as she leaves, I shook my head laughing as I walked away with her.
Third person POV
Merlin sighed.
"I suppose that did not go how you thought?" Anne asked. Merlin jumped forgetting she was there.
"Uh- No." He said embarrassed. How could have he misinterpreted what she was saying?
"I think I know what secret you thought she was talking about." Anne said nervously.
"What?" Merlin asked with cautious surprise.
"Could I talk to you later somewhere private?" Anne asked.
"Um…o-okay" Merlin stumbled. Anne smiled slightly before slipping out of the cells leaving Merlin on his own.
—
When Anne entered Gaius' chambers, she could see that Merlin And Gaius had just finished eating their evening meal. "I hope I am not interrupting." She said when they noticed her.
"No my dear. You have come at the right time." Gaius said smiling kindly. "I understand you wanted to talk to Merlin about something. Is it alright if I stay?"
"Y-yes that's fine. You p-probably already know about e-everything." Anne stammered. After a awkward pause she realised she should probably say something. "Anyway, when we were defeating the afanc I heard and saw what you did."
"You know I have magic." Merlin said quietly feeling very nervous now.
"Yes. But do not worry I will not say anything!" She quickly said. "T-there's something I want to tell you." She looked over her shoulder as if someone was behind them watching before looking down at her hand and muttered a spell before opening both her eyes and hand so that Gaius and Merlin could see the flash of gold in her eyes as well as the flame that appeared in her hand.
"You have magic!" Merlin exclaimed.
"Merlin be quiet!" Gaius said concerned with how loudly Merlin had spoken.
"Sorry Gaius." Merlin muttered before turning to Anne who had been awkwardly standing there. "Can you tell me what spell you used?"
Anne smiled, "Forbærnen." Merlin smiled and tried it himself and got it on the second try. He laughed. "This is amazing!" He said. "How long have you been practicing magic?"
"Since I was a young child. Gaius saved me when I was a toddler from being burnt like my parents were during the great purge." She smiled thankfully to Gaius, who had just sat watching their exchange with a small smile on his face.
Merlin spun around in surprise. "You?! But you could have put yourself in danger!"
"I have helped a few people escape Uther's rage Merlin." Gaius said. "More than you know."
Merlin quickly turned back to Anne not putting anymore thought on what Gaius said. "This is brilliant. You can help me so much! Why have you not told Amelia?"
"Amelia knows?" Anne asked in surprise, she knew about Amelia and Morgana's dreams but did not think either of them knew anything.
"Yes! She learnt about my magic when she saw me save Arthur from Lady Helen- well the woman pretending to be her." Merlin said.
"Oh." Amelia said. "Maybe I should. She has not said a word about you so she seems like she can be trusted and I know that sounds stupid as I have known her for years but this is risky. If she told the King would never believe me over her." She smiled at the two men before turning around and walking to Amelia's chamber to wait for when Amelia returned from having her meal with the King, Arthur and Morgana.
—
After a while, Amelia entered her chambers. "Ah Anne there you are. I think I am just going to go to bed straight away and not stay up reading." She had begun to take off different pieces of jewellery as she was saying this not noticing how Anne shuffled and fidgeted.
After no response Amelia looked up and noticed the state Anne was in. "Anne? Is everything alright?"
"Amelia, I- there's something I need to tell you." Anne stammered.
"What is it? You can tell me anything." Amelia said in what she hoped was an encouraging voice.
"I-" Anne began before stopping as she did could not say it then decided the best way was to do what she did to show Merlin. "Forbærnen."
Amelia stared in amazement at the small flame in Anne's hand. "Oh…" was all that Amelia said. Anne closed her eyes worried about what would happen next. "That's beautiful," Amelia continued. Anne relaxed and opened her eyes and before she could stop her, Amelia touched the flame.
"Ow!" Amelia exclaimed. "That hurt." She pouted before putting her finger in her mouth.
Anne couldn't help but laugh at what she saw. Typical Amelia. "Just because it does not hurt me does not mean it will not hurt you." She said once she could stop laughing.
"Oh now you tell me." Amelia said in mock anger.
"You did not give me a chance!" Anne responded chuckling. "So you do not hate me?"
This caused Amelia to sober up. "Of course not! Wait does this mean you heard Merlin? Does he know about you too?"
"Yes. He's the one that encouraged me to tell you. Gaius knows as well but he probably always suspected, he saved me from the fate that met my parents."
"Oh I'm so sorry." Amelia frowned. "How long have you-?"
Anne interrupted before she could finish knowing what she was going to ask. "Since I was a child."
"Mmm… apparently Merlin has been able to use magic since before he could crawl."
"What?! He was born with it?" Anne asked in surprise. Merlin had not told her this.
"Oh my god! You should meet the dragon!" Amelia suddenly said.
"The dragon- there's actually a dragon below the castle?!"
"Yes! I have met him. So has Merlin." Amelia answered. "And Gaius probably." She added.
"Really?"
"Yes. Now I am sure we can talk more but I think I should put my finger in some cool water."
"Yes of course. I'll arrange someone to bring that to you and then I'll help you get ready for bed." Anne said before stepping away.
"Oh Anne?" Amelia called before Anne could leave. "I will not tell anyone about you."
"I know that now." Anne said before stepping out the room feeling like a great weight had been lifted of her shoulders. She did not feel so alone now.
—
A/N:
What I don't get is that while they prove that Gwen did not cause the plague, they did not prove whether she cured her father with magic or not. So did Uther assume that if she did not cause the plague she must not have magic and not be able to heal her father and Tom just somehow got better? I dunno, I didn't bother changing that and just went with it.
I hope you like that last part. I always worry how good the parts of these chapters that deviate from the episode are any good and fit with the rest of the episode. I hope I am fitting Amelia, as well as Anne, well in the story.