While his Mother is plotting who-knows-what, Merlin is opening Valiant's Guest Chambers with a golden glow of his molten eyes. He determinedly grabs a sword, and approaches the accursed shield. A snake slithers out, and nearly attacks the father of magic. Luckily, Merlin is able to chop off the snake's head, and flee with the head before any other snakes or partially slimy creeps could attack him.
In Gaius' chambers, Matilda is staring down at Sir Ewan expressionlessly as Gaius conspires with Merlin.
"I'll get started preparing the antidote.", tells Gaius, a proud look in his eyes.
"I'm going to tell Arthur.", informs Merlin, feeling a sense of relief.
Smiling, Gaius advises, "You'll need this.", as he hands the rightful Duke the freshly- cut snake head. Adding on, Gaius compliments, "And Merlin, what you did was very brave."
"Quite so!", chimed Matilda, looking up with a forced smile of warmth, not that Merlin knew it. However, the same naivety could not be applied to Gaius, who minutely narrowed his eyes questionably and analytically at the Duchess.
"Yeah. Well… thanks, the two of you. Well, wish me luck!", with that, the humble Merlin rushed out of the chambers, snake head in hand, in search of his older half-brother.
Matilda shifted her focus back onto the unconscious Sir Ewan, as Gaius silently made his way to stand beside Her Grace. Gaius too stared down at Ewan, attempting to see what Matilda was seeing at that moment.
Now in Matilda's POV:
"Gaius,", I began, visibly forcing my remaining morals down my throat, "Valiant wishes to kill the Prince, does he not?"
"You and I are not naïve, Matilda. We both know he wishes to kill the Prince. What are you thinking, old friend?" , Gaius asks me, curious and fearing.
"Arthur, the boy I raised, knows about my son's magic, Gaius" , I stated, a mixture of passion, determination and loyalty presenting itself in my voice. I look up to face Gaius, as does he to me.
Now in Gaius' POV:
Feeling a sense of foreboding, I swiftly look up to face Matilda, finally catching up my friend's chain of thought, and feeling a sense of utter dread of doing so.
"Matilda,", I began, half horrified, half amazed, "What you are suggesting is treason."
Matilda squares her shoulders as she passionately tells me, "I love my son, Gaius. I will not see him burn at the pyre. I will not stand back and allow for another one of my loved ones to burn. I will act this time, Gaius. I will not allow it to happen, not again!"
My heart broke at her words to me. I often forget how much Matilda lost during the Purge. No person - good or evil - should be caused to feel as much pain and heartbreak as my friend has. However, I realise I must stand strong and resolute. To allow the Prince of Camelot to be killed when possessing the knowledge to stop it is treason in the eyes of the law, and most importantly, in the eyes of the G-ds.
"Matilda,", I approached, sternly, "You raised him. Do not ask yourself, or I, to let him die."
"So you will not then.", my dearest friend half-stated, half-asked, expressionless.
After a moment, where I unsuccessfully tried to pinpoint the Duchess' perspective, I scolded, "No Matilda, I will not! And if you had the sense, you would know not to either, and cease this foolishness!"
"Ah Gaius, that's the thing.", Matilda told me, "Where exactly is the line drawn between foolishness and undying loyalty? Because that is exactly what I possess for my son- undying loyalty."