"We don't need the Dochraid," Merlin said, entering the chambers with Iain following after and closing the door behind them.
"Merlin!" Gwen said, hugging him with relief. "Iain, thank you."
"Of course, My Lady," Iain said.
"Where's Arthur?" she asked. "And your father?"
"Father is protecting him, and no one knows I've returned, I disguised myself to get back into the castle. Morgana is truly enchanted by the Teine Diaga? Are you sure?" Merlin said, running a hand over his face.
Gwen put a comforting hand on his arm. "Well. I'm positive she's enchanted. She disappeared for three days and she came back as though nothing were amiss, and she has been cold and cruel ever since. Sefa, her handmaiden, has been spying for her father, who is in league with Morgause. She said they cast a spell on her using a lot of mandrake roots."
Merlin nodded. "Morgana told me about it. In her visions, she used that spell on you."
"Oh," Gwen said, surprised. "Did I…?"
"We were able to break the spell, according to Morgana."
"Please say she told you how," Gwen begged.
"She did," Merlin said. "But it still won't be easy."
"What is required?" Gaius asked.
"We have to travel to the Cauldron of Arianrhod. I have to summon the White Goddess."
"Oh, summon a goddess, is that all?" Gwen said, wide-eyed.
"No, it's even harder than that. Morgana has to willingly enter the water of the Cauldron, which holds the Goddess's power. She can't be tricked or in any way forced. But to get her there in the first place… we'll have to drug her."
"With what?" Gwen asked.
"A sorceress of her strength? Tincture of belladonna. But it can only be administered for up to three days," Gaius said.
Gwen sighed. "And this will work? Are you sure? We can reverse the spell?"
"I don't know, not for certain. Morgana said it worked on you, so I have to hope that it will work on her. Or else…" Merlin looked pained. "We'll lose her forever to the darkness. It's what she's always feared. It's why she told me everything she knew about dark magic from her dreams. So she wouldn't be lost to it."
Gwen hugged him tightly. "Then we will bring her back. Tell us what to do."
"We need Morgana to drink this," Gaius said, handing the vial to Gwen. "For a normal woman, it would be two drops every two hours. For Morgana, the dosage will be double."
"I'll bring her meal in the morning, she won't suspect me," Gwen said.
"I'm going to rejoin Arthur and my father where they wait. Iain, if you would collect supplies for the journey, and come for us once the Princess is asleep. We will make the journey," Merlin said.
"Yes, My Lord," Iain said. "What shall I tell Sir Leon?"
Gwen answered. "Tell him our plan. We will need his help to get Morgana out of the city without anyone else knowing. In fact, I need to go to her now and make excuses for Sefa."
"Be careful, Gwen. She's extremely powerful. If she discovers your intent, she could kill you with a flick of her wrist," Gaius warned. Merlin looked crestfallen.
Gwen nodded, determined to save her friend.
. . .
"Good morning, Your Highness," Gwen said, entering with the breakfast tray.
"Is there still no word of Arthur?" Morgana asked, testily. "How long must I be kept waiting?"
"I am certain they will return soon. I know you must be eager to hatch the dragon," she said, setting up the breakfast at her table.
"Hm? Oh yes, of course," she said.
"I will leave you to eat your breakfast, then return to help you dress," she said.
"I must be notified immediately when Arthur returns," she said, picking at the breakfast.
"Of course, Your Highness," Gwen smiled and curtseyed.
Gwen listened at the door until she heard a crash. She walked down the hall calmly and retrieved Iain.
"Thank you for your help, I don't know how else I could possibly get those curtains down to be washed without you," Gwen chattered, as Iain pushed a cart down the hall.
"My pleasure, My Lady," he said, as they entered.
They found Morgana asleep on the floor, her tray having fallen beside her. Iain and Gwen lifted her into the cart, and then they took down the curtains to drape over her.
Gwen let Iain take it from there, and had a one-sided conversation so as to not alert the guards.
"Of course, Your Highness. You must rest, and I will bring your lunch. Let the guards know if you need me," she said, giving a curtsy and closing the door.
"Please let me know if the Princess needs anything, but please do not bother her otherwise. She is feeling quite unwell. I will return to bring her meals. Allow no one else to enter unless she calls for them."
"Yes, My Lady," the guard said.
Gwen took her place that day in Court, continuing to feel more confident about becoming Queen.
. . .
"There they are," Arthur said, pointing to Iain and Leon, dressed in peasants' clothes, pushing the cart.
They ushered them into the cave. "How long since her last dosage?" Merlin asked.
"It's nearly time," Iain said.
Merlin pulled back the sheet and looked at the sleeping face of his betrothed. He pulled out the dropper and gave her the dose, kissing her forehead gently. Arthur smiled sadly at how much Merlin loved his sister. He hoped for both their sakes, she would be saved.
"I must return, Sire, to not arouse suspicion," Leon said. "My squire will continue the journey with you."
"Thank you, Leon," Arthur said.
The journey to the cauldron was two long, grueling days of travel, keeping Morgana carefully sedated. Merlin had bound her magic as well, in case she regained consciousness.
As they finally reached their destination, Merlin became increasingly anxious. What if the spell wasn't the same that Morgana had seen herself use on Gwen? What if it worked differently on Morgana because she's a sorceress? What if Merlin was not as powerful, spending years loving Morgana instead of spending years fighting her?
"Merlin, I can practically hear you worrying, it's so loud," Arthur said.
Merlin smirked at him. "Picked up some mind-reading, have you?"
"Easy with a mind as simple as yours," he retorted.
Merlin rolled his eyes.
Arthur's expression became serious. "Stop worrying. Morgana gave you instructions, I'm certain you can do this."
Merlin nodded, giving him a grateful smile and wishing he had as much faith in himself as Arthur apparently had in him. They left the carriage, and Arthur helped Merlin carry Morgana to the shore, laying her gently on the sand.
"Arthur, I want you and Iain to leave. Once I wake her, she'll be incredibly angry. And she's undoubtedly been enchanted to kill you."
"She's not been enchanted to kill me, My Lord. I can stay," Iain offered.
Merlin put a hand on the young man's shoulder. He was probably even younger than Merlin had been when he first arrived in Camelot. "I need you to protect the King. Should Morgana get the better of me, you will be his only defender."
Iain nodded, and he and Arthur walked out of sight.
Merlin kissed Morgana's forehead tenderly and caressed her cheek. "My love, come back to me. Gielde ic thec thissa meowlessawole, gyden aeblaece." His eyes glowed as he roused her from her sleep.
"Merlin? Where am I? What's happened?" she woke, confused.
"We're at the Cauldron Arianrhod," he said, waiting for the realization to occur.
"No," she said, growing agitated. "No! What have you done?"
"I brought you here to heal you," he answered.
"I don't need healing, you fool!" she spit angrily, and raised her hands to blast him with her magic. She was even more furious when nothing happened.
"What have you done?!" she screamed.
"I bound your magic. It's temporary, it's just to protect you, until you're healed."
"Release my magic at once!" she yelled, lunging for him. He stopped her with a raised hand.
"Morgana, please, think," he said. "Remember your dream. Remember you did this to Gwen. It was a spell you learned from Morgause, and she's used it on you."
"I'm not under any spell except for yours!" she refuted. "Where's Arthur?"
"He's staying away because Morgause wants you to hurt him."
"Coward," she growled. "He stole my crown! I am the rightful Queen of Camelot!"
"You don't believe that, not really. You've never wanted to rule. You became a physician so you could serve others. This ambition is Morgause's doing."
"I have my own mind, Merlin! You promised me you would choose me over Arthur, when you promised to wed me. Obviously, you never meant it," she said, the hurt creeping into her voice. "I will be Queen, whether you like it or not!"
"What about me, Morgana? Will you choose me over everything else? Your ambition? Your sister?" he asked, pained.
She shook her head, as though trying to rid her head of his words. "Unbind my magic!"
"Okay, I'll release you," he said, finally. "Because I love you. I trust you. And I know you'd never hurt me."
Morgana blinked at him, and felt the magic return to her body.
"Come with me into the water, Morgana. Let it just be us. No Arthur, no Morgause, just you and me. Please," he said, taking a step into the water and holding out his hand.
She looked torn.
"I love you, Morgana. Please, come to me, let's take away the cloud of the enchantment." He kept his hand extended, his eyes pleading with her.
"It isn't an enchantment that makes me want the throne," she insisted. "It's my birth right. It's what is best for those with magic!"
Merlin lowered his hand, and closed his eyes, exhaling slowly. "Morgana, if you truly want to be Queen, I'll take the throne for you myself."
She looked at him in surprise. "You would do that? Betray Arthur? For me?" she asked, skeptically.
"My love, I'm going to be your husband. Enchanted or not. I will always be by your side, and I will always support you," he said solemnly. "If you want to be Queen, I'll see it done. Whatever you desire, I will give you."
She stared at him, trying to process the depth of his words. Her love for him compelled her forward, and she reached for him. He took her hand as she entered the water.
Merlin began the spell, "Yfel gaest, ga thu fram thisselichaman. Bith hire mod eft freo. Ar ond heofonutungol sceal thurhswithan."
A white light surrounded Morgana, and when the light faded, she exhaled in relief, and hugged Merlin tightly.
"Thank you for choosing me," she said, tears streaming down her face. He kissed her, pulling her close.
"I told you before, I trust you completely. Do you still want to be Queen?" he asked, wiping away her tears, his forehead pressed against hers, stroking her hair.
She laughed, feeling slightly embarrassed. "No, that feeling has passed."
"Good, I would've felt terrible having to turn your brother into a frog just to depose him, and not specifically because he was being a prat," he said seriously.
She grinned. "Just because I don't want his crown, doesn't mean we still can't turn him into a frog. He deserves it after the days in Court I had when he left with you and your father."
He laughed. "Come, speaking of Arthur, he is waiting. He'll be relieved you're okay," he said, helping her to shore.
They found Arthur and Iain, and Arthur rushed to hug her.
"Merlin did it. I was afraid I'd lost you," he said, squeezing her tightly.
"I'm so sorry," she said. "I was foolish to think I could handle Morgause on my own."
He pulled away. "You couldn't have known. She had an accomplice, the father of your handmaiden; the girl has been spying for them. And no harm was committed, thanks to Gwen realizing what had happened to you while you were missing. I'm just glad you're okay," Arthur said. "But are we clear now, that Morgause is the enemy?"
Iain brought her a blanket, as she shivered from the cold water and now Arthur's words.
Morgana frowned. "Arthur, she's still my sister. I can't trust her, but I can't think of her as my enemy."
"She would've had you kill me," Arthur said, looking as though she'd struck him.
"And so you would have me kill her? Arthur, I… " she didn't continue after he stormed off. Iain gave her a sympathetic look and followed the King.
Merlin pulled her in to his embrace. "Give him time. He's worried for you."
"He's worried for himself," she said, flatly. "Let's just get home."
He nodded, taking her hand, and leading her back to their horses.
. . .
The trip back to Camelot was largely silent, with Morgana sleeping the majority of the time. The dark magic had exhausted her, as did the inner turmoil of her conflict.
It was dark when they arrived back to the castle. Gwen and Balinor were there to greet them.
"Oh, Morgana, thank goodness," Gwen embraced her. Morgana's eyes stung with tears, and she clutched her tightly. Arthur had stormed off into the castle without even acknowledging Gwen. She put her arm around Morgana and said, "Let's get you inside for a nice hot bath before bed."
They left the men behind and walked to Morgana's chambers.
"I take it we need to find another lady's maid?" Morgana said, giving a strained smile.
"Yes, the last one is still in the dungeon," Gwen cringed.
She sighed. "Quite stupid of me, really. I'd had visions of her father being my ally as an enemy of Camelot, but I'd spoken with him when I agreed to take Sefa on. I foolishly believed we were still allies."
"You couldn't have known, Morgana. I don't understand why any sorcerer would want to do you harm, or even Arthur, since you've brought magic back to Camelot."
"I don't fully understand it myself. From what I can piece together, they believe Arthur is still a threat to magic somehow. Perhaps becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. If sorcerers with ill-intent don't stand down, I fear Arthur may regret his decision."
"Arthur knows the good your magic, and Merlin's, can bring. He won't be his father," Gwen said, opening the door for her. "I've already found a replacement for Sefa, she'll start tomorrow. Tonight, I'll take care of you," Gwen said, giving her a sympathetic smile.
"Thank you, Gwen," she said, tiredly. "And I'm sorry for anything I said that may have been hurtful when I was enchanted."
"Think nothing of it. I know you, and I know your heart. That's how I knew something was amiss."
They entered her room, and Morgana wanted nothing more than to just fall into bed, but she was filthy. Gwen had already filled the tub, so Morgana heated the water with magic. She asked Gwen to stay so she wouldn't fall asleep.
"I know you're tired, Morgana, but is everything all right? You seem upset," Gwen asked, helping wash her hair.
"My brother and my sister are enemies, Gwen," she said with a sigh. "I will lose one of them by the end."
"I'm so sorry. I know you love her, and although she's betrayed you in a terrible way, she's still your sister."
"Arthur doesn't understand. I think… I know… he would have stopped loving me if I had tried to conquer Camelot, as in my original visions," she said, tears streaming down her face. "But I don't want my heart hardened the way it was when I hated Arthur and wanted to be Queen. I don't want to hate one of my siblings."
"You're afraid you'll become that person, but this time with your sister as your enemy instead of Arthur," Gwen realized. "Oh, Morgana."
"That darkness is within me, and I don't want it to grow," she said, wiping away her tears.
"It won't. I won't let it. I know the person you are, and I'll never let it happen," Gwen said.
"Thank you," she said, gratefully.
"Here, let's get you dressed and into bed," Gwen said, putting a robe around Morgana.
Morgana settled into bed and Gwen bid her goodnight. A few moments later, she heard the faint knocking. It's me, Merlin told her.
She unlatched her door with a flick of her wrist, and he entered.
"I wasn't sure you'd come," Morgana said, sleepily.
"Where else would I be?" he asked, sliding into the bed beside her, and pulling her close.
She sighed happily, just being next to him made everything seem more bearable.
"Sleep, my love. There are only good things ahead. Tomorrow, we will hatch Aithusa," Merlin said.
She murmured happily, relaxing and drifting off to sleep.