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Phantomshadow99

XXXXXX

The Beginning of the End

Evaine laughed with her friends in Morgana's chambers, lifting a goblet to her lips when Merlin rushed in, shutting the door quickly behind him.

"Have you forgotten how to knock, Merlin?" Morgana asked, Evaine hiding her smile until they noticed the boy he had in front of him.

"The guards are after him. I didn't know what to do," Merlin explained, breathlessly. Evaine jumped when guards began pounding on the door.

"My lady? My lady?" the guard shouted through the door, breaking Morgana from her study of the boy.

"In there," Morgana said, pointing to a small curtained off alcove in the corner of the room. The women waited until Merlin and the boy were safe behind the curtain before Morgana opened the door, Evaine calmly stood next to her.

"Sorry to disturb you, my lady. We're searching for a young druid boy. We believe he came this way," the guard said, and Morgana smiled.

"I haven't seen anyone. It's just me, lady Evaine and our maids," Morgana said, opening the door a little wider to show it was only them in the room.

"Best keep the door locked till we find him," the guard instructed, and Evaine smiled at the guards.

"Of course. Thank you," Evaine said, the two rushing off down the hall as Morgana closed the door. The women followed Morgana as they rushed to where Merlin and the boy was, Morgana gasping and crouching down when they found him on the floor with blood on his sleeve.

"We need to help him," Morgana said, before looking to Gwen. "Go fetch some bandages and hot water," she said, as Anna carried a pillow and throw so the boy could be more comfortable. Evaine shared a worried look with Merlin before helping.

It was later that day that all of Camelot gathered in the castle square, and Morgana, Merlin and Evaine stood by the window to see the boy's father about to be executed.

"People of Camelot, the man before you is guilty of using enchantments and magic. Under our law, the sentence for this crime is death. We are still searching for his accomplice. Anyone found harbouring the boy is guilty of conspiracy and will be executed as a traitor," Uther spoke, and the three glanced nervously at one another at his words. "Let this serve as a warning to your people."

"You have let your fear of magic turn to hate. I pity you," the boy's father said.

"I can't watch this," Morgana said sadly, going to sit beside the boy as Merlin and Evaine watched Uther raise his arm before dropping it. Evaine gasped, moving her head away as the executioner's axe swung down.

"No!" the boy shouted. Evaine and Merlin jumped when the mirror next to them smashed, both sharing a look that held one word. Magic.

XXXXXX

"How is he?" Merlin asked, having gone and got supplies and returning later that day.

"He's sleeping. He's very pale. I worry he may have lost a lot of blood," Morgana said, pulling the curtain aside to show the boy asleep in Evaine's side. She smiled up at him, continuing to dab the boy's forehead as he slept.

"Has he said anything at all?" Merlin asked.

"Nothing. He won't even tell me his name," Morgana answered.

"You know, for a moment there, earlier, I thought you were going to hand us over to the guards," Merlin told Morgana, laughing nervously.

"I'm glad you have so much faith in me, Merlin," Morgana retorted with a frown.

"No, sorry. I meant, you're the kings ward. You're taking a huge risk helping the boy," Merlin explained.

"I wouldn't see an innocent child executed. What harm has he ever done anyone?" Morgana questioned, looking down at the sleeping boy.

"Uther believes he has magic, and that makes him guilty," Merlin said, his eyes meeting Evaine's for a moment.

"Uther's wrong," Morgana stated.

"You believe that?" Merlin asked, surprised.

"What if magic isn't something you choose? What if it chooses you? Why are you looking at me like that?" Morgana asked with a soft smile.

"Nothing," Merlin said, smiling and shaking his head.

"Why are you helping him?" Morgana asked. Evaine looked at Merlin and knew the real reason.

"It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. What do you think we should do with him? He can't stay here," Merlin said after a moment.

"We have to find a way to get him back to his people," Morgana said, and Evaine nodded.

"It's the only way he'll be safe," she agreed, smiling softly as the boy stirred in his sleep.

XXXXXX

Evaine, Morgana and Merlin stood near the city gates in Camelot, looking at the market stalls distractedly.

"Halt there," guards instructed, searching a cart trying to leave the city.

"The guards are searching everyone leaving the town," Evaine whispered. "It will be impossible to get him through."

"There is another way out. There's a secret door in the armoury. It leads to the lower town. I'll take the boy out that way," Merlin said, but Morgana shook her head.

"No, it's too dangerous. I'll do it," Morgana said, surprising her two friends.

"I'm good with secret doors and things," Merlin said, Evaine nodding her agreement.

"If you get caught, Uther will execute you. The boy's my responsibility. I'll smuggle him out of the castle," Morgana argued.

"Well you need the key for the door," Merlin finally agreed.

"Who has it?" Morgana asked.

"Arthur," Merlin said, and Evaine sighed. "Don't worry, I'll get it tonight."

"Gwen and Merlin will meet you at her home. I'll stay in your chambers and ensure no one comes to question your whereabouts," Evaine said, glancing to her friends, the three nodding before they returned to the castle.

XXXXXX

"I promised him that I wouldn't let anything bad happen," Morgana said sadly, and Evaine placed her hand on her shoulder. They had been found, and the boy now sat in the dungeons below the castle.

"You can't blame yourself. You tried your best," Evaine told her softly.

"It's not enough," Morgana said, her eyes filling with tears.

"He's in jail now. There's nothing more we can do," Merlin stated.

"I will not let him die. Can I count on your help?" Morgana asked, moving from Evaine's side to stand in front of Merlin. He hesitated before nodding. "Thank you," she said, before nodding to Evaine and leaving.

"What is it, Merlin?" Evaine asked, noticing his hesitation. "What do you know of the boy?"

"It's nothing," Merlin said, forcing a smile. Evaine paused before nodding, smiling tightly in return.

"I'm going to see where Morgana ran off to," Evaine told him, hurrying out of the room, not seeing Merlin's smile fall as she did. She passed by Arthur's chambers before pausing, hearing raised voices from inside. Evaine breathed, before knocking.

"Enter," Arthur shouted after a pause. Evaine slipped inside, noting how Arthur looked slightly relieved to see the woman.

"You must help the boy, Arthur," Evaine said, coming to stand beside Morgana. Arthur's shoulders sagged, sighing as he turned to the window.

"Not you too, Evaine," he mumbled.

"I can't believe you'd let an innocent child die," Morgana said, her voice raising.

"It's too late. He's been caught. I have no choice," Arthur said, and Morgana huffed before stilling as Evaine stepped past her.

"And this is how you will rule when you are king? You're not like your father. You're better," Evaine said softly, and Arthur turned to look at her.

"I will not betray him," Arthur replied.

"If I know you at all, you won't stand by and let this happen. Please. If you won't do this for the boy, then do it for me," Morgana pleaded, and Arthur gazed out of the window, shaking his head before turning to the two women.

XXXXXX

A knock sounded on the door and Merlin entered. Morgana stood straight from where she had just been talking to a seated Arthur. Evaine smiled at the warlock from where she stood at the window.

"Sorry. Was I interrupting something?" Merlin asked, looking at the three.

"Nothing you need concern yourself with. Go make yourself useful. Muck out my horses," Arthur instructed.

"I trust Merlin," Morgana said, just as he was about to leave. Arthur paused before raising his hand for him to enter.

"We're going to break the druid boy out of the dungeons," Arthur stated, once the door was safely shut.

"You can't do that," Merlin said quickly, and Evaine frowned as she came to stand beside Arthur's chair.

"We have to. Uther's going to execute him at dawn," Morgana said.

"I mean, it's too dangerous. You've already been caught once. And if the king catches you a second time, he'll never forgive you," Merlin explained, and Evaine nodded at his reasoning.

"I'm not worried for myself," Morgana argued.

"Merlin's right. When my father finds out the boy's escaped, he will suspect you of being involved," Arthur said.

"It's suicide," Merlin finalised.

"You must go to my father and apologise. Dine with him. He cannot hold you responsible if you're with him when the boy escapes," Arthur planned with Morgana.

"You need me if the plan is to work. You can't do this on your own," Morgana argued.

"Merlin will take your place," Arthur said, smiling slightly.

"Me?" Merlin asked in disbelief. Arthur rose quickly and came to stand in front of Merlin.

"Evaine and I are going to take the boy out through the burial vaults. There's a tunnel that leads beyond the city walls. Get our horses from the stables and meet us there. There's a grate that covers the entrance to the tunnel. Bring a rope and a grappling hook to pull it off," Arthur instructed.

"No, I can't," Merlin began to argue.

"Merlin. Do you understand? If you're not there to meet us, we will surely be caught," Arthur said, and Merlin glanced to Evaine before nodding.

"Thank you," Evaine said, smiling at her friend before leaving the room and preparing for that night.

XXXXXX

"Quietly," Arthur whispered to Evaine, and she nodded as they both descended the stairs to the dungeons. Arthur lit the bag of herbs on fire, the two closing their hands over their mouths as he lowered it to the guards on duty. They began coughing, the mixture of herbs knocking the two out in moments. The two hurried down the stairs, Arthur grabbing the keys to the cells and unlocking the boy's.

"Don't be scared. I have sent word to your people. I'm taking you to them. You must come with me," Arthur told the boy, but he still hesitated until Evaine stepped closer.

"It's alright," Evaine told him softly, and he stood and hurried to her side. The boy pulled his hood up as he gripped Evaine's hand, Arthur leading them through a series of tunnels.

"This way," Arthur whispered, continuing down the tunnel until they reached the grate at the end. "Merlin? Merlin! Don't worry he'll be here," Arthur said after Evaine shot him a worried look. Arthur tried to pull at the grate, yelling when he is unable to. "Damn it, Merlin." Evaine gasps and turns as the sound of guards are heard in the distance within the corridors. Arthur stamps the torch out and tries to look for another way.

"Arthur, what do we do?" Evaine whispered, pulling the boy behind her. Arthur's eyes search her own before he unsheathes his sword.

"Have you looked down here?" a guard asks, and Evaine feels the boy hold her hand tighter as Arthur stands guard in front of them.

"Hey," Merlin whispers, Evaine gasping with happiness at the sight of him.

"Where the hell have you been?" Arthur asks, his voice rising.

"I had trouble getting out of the castle," Merlin said.

"Get this grate off. They're coming," Arthur instructed, and Merlin hurried to do so.

"If Uther asks, tell him that Arthur is escorting me to my brothers grave," Evaine told her friend, as he placed the boy in the saddle in front of her.

"You'd better make yourself scarce or they'll execute you in his place," Arthur added, before nodding to his manservant and kicking his horse away, Evaine following closely behind. They travelled all night until dawn began to peak over the hills. "We're close," Arthur said, glancing over his shoulder to the lady. Evaine nodded, and they soon spotted three hooded figures in a clearing. Evaine shared a look with Arthur before he dismounted, helping her and the boy off her horse. She held his hand as the three approached the figures, and Evaine smiled as the boy smiled at the sight of the three in front of them.

"We are forever indebted to you, Arthur Pendragon, for returning the boy to us," one of the men told him, bowing slightly at the prince and lady.

"You must not let it be known that it was I who brought him to you," Arthur instructed, and the man nodded.

"We will tell no one. You have my word," he answered, beginning to turn and leave.

"Wait. I don't even know your name. At least tell me your name," Arthur shouted, stopping the group. The boy looked at the man for approval before turning back to the two.

"My name is Mordred," he answered, with a small smile at Evaine.

"Good luck, Mordred," Arthur said, nodding before leaving. Evaine smiled as she mounted her horse, Mordred and the druids disappearing from sight as the two turned their horses away.

"Well, this has been an eventful night," Evaine commented, and Arthur smirked. "I'm sure Morgana will be grateful for what you've done for her."

"I didn't do it just for her," Arthur replied, his smirk growing as he noticed the pink blush on her cheeks.

"Yes, well, we are all grateful," she said, the two sharing a look, Arthur studying her before a thought popped into his head.

"Would you like to visit your brother's grave? I would be honoured to pay my respects," he suggested, but Evaine's smile fell. "What is it?"

"My brother was never found. Only his sword was ever returned to us. I made a small shrine to him where even my family have not found. Perhaps one day you will see it, but not yet," she told him softly, lost in thought.

"I understand," Arthur said after a moment, and Evaine looked up in interest. "I never knew my mother, but I was told she frequented the gardens when she carried me. I sometimes go there when I can't sleep or Merlin has vexed me and pretend she's there with me," he confided, and she smiled at him.

"I'm glad you told me, Arthur. And I'm sure your mother is beside you always," Evaine said, and the two smiled at one another before Evaine's eyes twinkled. "Race you?" she asked, and kicked her horse's side before he could answer.

"You cheater!" Arthur shouted behind her, the forest filling with her laughter as the two rode back to Camelot.