A month goes by. Mary has been able to go about her daily work again for a few weeks. Above all, she has missed her walks in the nearby forest, which Gaius now allows her to take again. She talks to Merlin again, but the physician notices with concern that their relationship is still very strained.
Early that morning, they all help clean up in Morgana's room. There was a fire in there last night. Lady Morgana was lucky to wake up and discover the fire.
Gwen is just telling them that she was in Morgana's room again last night, "I was bringing her some blankets when I saw the candle was still on, but I blew it out." Arthur and the king listen to her.
Arthur says, "Last night lightning struck the roof. It might have started the fire."
Uther: "Yes, perhaps. But someone might have started the fire on purpose, too."
"That's impossible, we have guards posted everywhere."
"And yet it must have been. I suspect magic behind it! Arrest anyone we suspect of using magic."
"That's going to take quite a while."
"My ward was attacked. We don't have time."
Mary and Merlin return when they hear Gaius talking to someone in his chamber. "What I don't understand, Morgana, is how the fire started so quickly."
"It happened so suddenly. It was scary."
"It's okay. You're safe now."
"You are the only person I have told my nightmares to. I know I can trust you, Gaius!"
"Yes of course you can!"
Morgana sits in a chair by Gaius. A blanket draped over her shoulders. Mary doesn't feel comfortable eavesdropping, and wants to step past Merlin into Gaius' room. But Merlin holds her back. So they hear Morgana say, "It was me. I set the room alight. I lit the fire."
"I don't understand...did you knock over the candle?"
"No, it wasn't like that! It happened when I just looked at it. The flames kept rising higher and higher."
Mary notices Merlin tense up beside her. Gaius says, "It could have been a gust of wind."
"No, it was me...it was magic!"
Gaius tries to reassure her, "My child..."
"I'm not a child!"
"Last night was an accident. It had nothing to do with you. What makes you think that? I'll prescribe you a new medicine that will make you feel better. I promise. You have to trust me."
Morgana wants to say something else, but Gaius turns away from her. Mary and Merlin hide behind a pillar as Morgana walks past them and back to her room.
A little later Mary is sorting vials when Merlin says to Gaius, "I helped clean up Morgana's chambers. The window panes were out in the yard."
Gaius just makes approving noises. Mary looks at Merlin questioningly. What is he trying to get at? He continues talking, "Strange, isn't it? If it was a lightning strike, as Arthur suspects, the glass would have fallen inward." Gaius doesn't seem to be listening properly. Merlin becomes more direct, "It was magic. You know that, and more importantly, so do you!"
Gaius turns to Merlin, "Morgana knows nothing for certain."
"That makes it worse. She's not sure what's happening. It's tearing her apart."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Talk to her. Tell her that nothing is happening to her. Tell her that her powers are nothing to be afraid of."
Gaius turns away again, "I can't!"
Merlin considers for a brief moment: "Maybe I could talk to her."
"No, Merlin! You can't!"
"Why not? I know exactly what she's going through."
"You must never tell your secret. Not to anyone."
"If not me, then someone else!"
"Who? Magic is forbidden in this kingdom. Remember?"
"Many still do magic, though. What about the druids? You said they help people like her!"
"Uther has vowed to destroy them. The druids can't help her. That would be suicide!"
"Then who can?"
"I, as I always have."
"Then you must be honest with her!"
Gaius loses patience, "How do you know you know better than I do?"
Mary looks up, startled. Gaius has become loud. Now Merlin is getting loud too, "Because I went through the same thing. I know exactly how she feels right now!"
Gaius calms down again. "You can't get caught up in this. No good can come of it. I mean it, Merlin. Stay out of it!"
Merlin scampers off to his room.
Gaius looks at Mary, who is still taken aback. "What, you want to say something too?" Mary continues sorting the vials without a word.
Mary visits Gwen, who is with Morgana. When she knocks, Gwen opens the door for her and Mary sees that Morgana is in bed.
"How is she?"
Gwen shakes her head, "I've never seen her like this. I'm afraid to leave her alone."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"No I don't think so! But thanks for asking!" Morgana gets restless and tosses and turns. "I better get back to her!" says Gwen, saying goodbye to her friend.
That evening, Merlin and Mary are still finishing cleaning up Gaius's chamber and Mary is about to leave when Morgana rushes in. She walks right up to Merlin, not having seen Mary at all.
"Is Gaius here?"
"No, he's not here, but he should be back soon!"
"I need to talk to him, where is he?"
Mary sees that Morgana is upset and scared. She is on the verge of tears. Merlin seems to notice it too. "He's with the king! What's the matter? You can trust me, Morgana. You know that!"
Morgana hesitates for a moment, then says quietly, "I'm scared, Merlin! I don't understand anything anymore. I need to know what's happening to me! Please!" Mary can literally feel Morgana's desperation. She notices that her necklace is vibrating slightly and the stone is giving off heat. The necklace doesn't respond to Merlin anymore, meanwhile, Mary knows...the necklace seems to notice when the same magic is around all the time and then it stops responding.
Merlin replies, "I'm sure Gaius will be back soon. He can help you."
"He won't. I don't want any more medicine. It won't help me! It's magic, Merlin." Merlin takes a step back. Mary sees him struggling with himself. Morgana continues, "We're friends. You know I would never make up something like that."
"Of course not!"
"Then you believe me? You think it's magic too? Please Merlin, I just need to hear someone say it so I don't feel like I'm making it up!"
Merlin says nothing at first...then, "I really wish I could say something about this!"
This time Morgana takes a step backwards. She turns around, hurt, and leaves the room. Even now she doesn't see Mary, who is standing in the shadows. Merlin looks after Morgana. Then his eyes meet Mary's, who also looks at him. Sadly, he looks away and goes to his room.
Mary would have liked to comfort him now. She can only imagine what it must be like for him to know someone with the same powers is near, and yet not be allowed to say who he really is. Quietly, she closes the door behind her and goes home.
When Merlin hears the door close behind Mary, he waits a few moments before making his way to the dragon.
"I need your help. Do you know where to find the druids?"
"First you have to tell me why you are looking for them!"
"That's not important!"
"It is to me."
"I have to ask them something."
"I've lived for more than a thousand years. Civilizations rose and fell. Don't think you can lie to me!"
Merlin nods. He still doesn't quite trust the dragon again. So he says, "I need their help." The dragon looks at Merlin, waiting. Merlin continues, "Someone I care about needs their help."
"You're talking about the witch. Lady Morgana!"
"She's not a witch! She's my friend."
"But not to be trusted."
"Why do you say that?"
"It would be better if the witch..."
"Stop calling her that!" says Merlin angrily.
"It would be better if the witch never knew all that was in her power!"
"You're wrong. I know her. She is pure of heart."
"Just as you thought you knew the girl?" Merlin feels a pain in his heart at the mention of Mary. The dragon continues, "You have not followed my advice so far, and it resulted in serious consequences!"
"I will not abandon her."
"Then you won't get the help you need this time! If you want to continue down this path, you'll do it all by yourself."
Merlin shakes his head in disappointment and leaves the dragon's cave. The dragon looks dejectedly after the young wizard.
Mary meets Merlin siiting on the castle steps the next day. He looks depressed and seems to be far away with his thoughts. She summons up all her courage and addresses him: "Merlin? What are you thinking about?"
Surprised, Merlin looks up. "Oh, nothing. I don't know how to help Morgana. I wanted to show her the way to the druids, but I have no idea where they are hiding. I think they might take away some of her fear."
Mary nods and considers for a brief moment. "In Camelot right now, everyone suspected of being somehow connected to magic is being arrested. Even those who consort with the druids. I know that Diana, the baker's wife, sometimes sends them bread. I also know that she is getting ready to hide in the forest from the guards. If you hurry, you can still meet her and she can tell you where the Druids are." Merlin beams at her and Mary realizes how much she has missed his laugh and his beautiful blue eyes. "And Merlin, if it helps...I think it's the right thing to do to help Morgana. I've seen her fear. Gaius is wrong, this time."
"Thank you Mary, I won't forget this!"
Merlin jumps up and runs to the lower town.
Late in the evening, Merlin knocks on Morgana's door. She opens it for him.
"Gaius asked me to deliver this." He holds out a vial of medicine to her.
"I don't need any medicine. Thank you. Merlin, forget what I told you yesterday. I had a nightmare. I was messed up."
"I know, I didn't tell anyone about it."
Morgana begins to cry, "I'm sorry. Usually only Gwen sees me like this."
"It doesn't matter. Maybe I can help!"
"I don't think so."
"You'd be surprised."
Merlin closes the door to the room. Astonished, Morgana turns to him. "I understand you, Morgana. I see how frightening this must be for you. Especially for you."
"Why especially for me?"
"You are the king's ward. You know his hatred of magic better than anyone."
"And you think that what happened; the dreams, the fire. You think it was magic?"
"I didn't say that!"
"But it could be, right?"
"I don't know. But there are people who do know."
"Who?"
"What about the druids? They help people like you!"
"None of them would venture here to Camelot."
"No, that's true...but I know where they are."
The next morning, warning bells ring through Camelot. Morgana is missing. She wasn't in her room that morning. The city is sealed off and anyone who wants to go out is searched. Gaius and Mary meet the king in Morgana's chambers. "You asked for me, sire?" says Gaius.
"Yes. When did you deliver the sleeping draught to Morgana?"
Arthur says, "The guards said Merlin delivered it after she went to her chamber."
"So she was safe!"
Gaius nods, "Yes I think so."
After the king left, Gaius spots a vial of his own on the table. He takes it and trudges away. Mary follows him. She knows he is upset.
In the physician's room, he confronts Merlin: "I didn't ask you to take that to Morgana yesterday."
"I used some initiative. I thought you'd be pleased."
"Alarm bells are ringing because Uther thinks Morgana has been kidnapped. You don't seem too concerned."
"She can look after herself."
"Merlin, what have you done?"
"What you didn't want to do! I helped her."
Gaius angrily puts down the vial. "This stops right now! The lives of many are in danger. Morgana's too! Now, where is she?"
"She's in the forest of Ascetir, looking for the druids."
"I told you to stay out of this!"
"I had to. You wouldn't admit she could do magic!"
"For good reason."
"No, you don't understand. You don't understand how it feels. The years before I came here were the loneliest of my life."
"Morgana is of royal blood. Her situation is completely different from yours."
"I know! I have you, she has not."
"I've always taken good care of Morgana!"
"It is not the same. Everything good and right about magic, I learned from you. I would be lost without you, Gaius. As she is now. Do you understand why I did it?"
"Yes, you are right. But that doesn't mean I don't fear the consequences."
The king calls the court together and asks Arthur, "Have all the suspects been arrested?"
"Almost all. Some have gone into hiding."
"Let the following be proclaimed: All prisoners will be executed unless Lady Morgana returns to Camelot."
Mary and Merlin look at each other. This means that many innocent people must die because they led Morgana to the druids.
In the middle of the night, Merlin sneaks out of his room. Gaius is asleep in his bed. He sneaks out of the castle and into the forest. Suddenly, a figure comes out of the shadows. "I thought so...you want to get Morgana back, don't you? Not that all the innocent people have to die. You and I couldn't live with that!" Mary brushes off her hood. "Mary, what are you doing here?"
"It's obvious, isn't it? I'm going with you."
Merlin shakes his head. "It's too dangerous!"
"I'm coming with you, you can't talk me out of it. I play just as big a part in Morgana's disappearance as you do." Merlin nods and together they walk into the dark forest.
Concerned Gaius finds Merlin's bed empty the next morning. And then when Arthur and his men find the tracks to the forest, assuming they were Morgana's kidnappers, the old man can barely contain his fear for his wards. He has learned from Gwen that Mary, too, is nowhere to be found.
Arthur immediately sets out with the knights to follow the trail. Gaius has no choice but to hope that Mary and Merlin are faster.
Merlin and Mary have been walking for hours and Merlin notices that Mary is falling behind. He sees that she is exhausted and cold. He notices that he himself is shivering too. So he decides to take a break. The druids can't be far away.
He looks for some wood, puts it together and says, "Forbearnan!"
Mary has joined in and sees Merlin's eyes flash gold briefly and then a fire flickers in the pile of wood. She sits down by the warming fire and pulls her cloak tighter around her shoulders. For a long time, the two say nothing to each other.
Merlin breaks the silence, "Do I scare you when I do magic?"
Mary looks at him sadly across the fire. "Yes, scared is the right word."
"Sorry. Next time I'll make the fire the traditional way. I just saw you were cold and wanted to have heat ready quickly."
"Merlin, I'm not afraid of magic...I..." Mary breaks off and looks into the flames.
"Can't, or won't, you tell me?" Merlin looks directly at her.
"I want to...I just don't know if I can bring myself to talk about it."
"I understand. Well I think we'll take a half hour break. You can decide for yourself if you want to talk or not."
He rests his head in his hands and closes his eyes. He feels a deep sadness and pain emanating from Mary, and he can hardly stand it.
After some time, she begins to speak. Merlin keeps his eyes closed, afraid to frighten her in case he opens them.
"I told you a while ago about my parents and my brother. Me and my brother had a best friend; "Thomas". He was three years older than me and we did everything together. Played in the nearby forest, swam in the cool river in the summer and in the winter we played hide and seek in the snow. Thomas was like you, Merlin. He could do magic. I don't remember when he first showed me, but I was still a little girl. Every time he used magic, I was enchanted by him. He conjured flowers, wreaths, drops and winds. He played with the elements. I loved it. And since my parents didn't curse magic like everyone else in Camelot, we children were allowed to play together as often as we wanted. It was the most wonderful and carefree time of my life.
When my parents and brother were killed, Thomas was with me. He held me back, because otherwise I would surely have run to my death as well. He dragged me with him into the forest, where we hid for a few days. We were both disturbed by everything we had seen. At the river we found a small cave where we made ourselves comfortable. I gathered herbs, berries and mushrooms. And Thomas built traps to catch rabbits and pheasants. We lived in our own little world. Every evening he told me stories and conjured up lights and colors on the ceiling of the cave until I fell asleep. In the daytime, when he noticed I was sad, he entertained me with flying stones and leaves..."
Mary swallows hard. "I thought nothing would ever happen to us again. Unfortunately, one day a woman, from a nearby village, was watching us play magic. Without us realizing it, she called the Knights of Camelot.
When I came back from picking berries the next day, the cave was empty. I looked for Thomas everywhere in our favorite places. At some point, fear seized me and I went to the edge of the forest where I looked toward the village of Delden. I just saw them tying Thomas to the stake on the pyre. Uther and his knights watched as the fire was lit and tongued higher and higher to an 18 year old boy. He was so scared, I could see it in his eyes. I wanted to run to him, but something held me back. At some point I realized he was looking right at me and using his magic to stop me from coming out of hiding. His spell didn't break until he drew his last breath. I remained where I was. An exhaustion came over me like I had never felt before. All I wanted to do was die. I ate and drank no more. After two days, an old woman found me and took me to her place. She fed me and took care of me, so that I slowly regained my strength. But I was only a shell. I felt nothing anymore, my heart was broken and empty. I helped the woman through the day, tying, gathering and drying herbs. In the evening I lay down in bed and waited until dreamless sleep overtook me." Mary looks up and sees that Merlin still has his eyes closed. Tears leave silver streaks on his face. When he realizes that she is looking at him, he opens his eyes and she sees all her pain, sorrow and grief in them.
"How long were you like this?"
"I stayed with the woman for a long time. Just before I turned seventeen, she died of old age. I left, heading for Camelot. I wanted to see Uther again, to be able to close. Well, that's where I met Gaius, Gwen, Arthur, Morgana and you. You all taught me again to have feelings, to laugh, to cry, to build up trust. Thomas was not only my best friend..."
Mary begins to cry "...he was much more than that. I know if I let someone with magic that close and deep into my heart again, I will not survive such a loss again. Magic still enchants me. I think it is a wonderful gift that can be used for great things. But people with magic are fought against here in Camelot and live a great risk. That was another reason to stay in Camelot, never to get so close to magic again. And then you come along...become a wonderful friend and then this! I can't do this, Merlin! My fear of losing you or Gaius almost tears me apart. I...can't...do this!"
Mary slaps her hands in front of her face and sobs pitifully. Merlin, too, gives free rein to his tears. So they both sit by the fire until the tears have dried up. No one says anything. Mary is grateful that Merlin remains seated on the other side. It calmes her that she was finally able to say everything.
Suddenly, Merlin hears voices in his head. Many voices, jumbled together.
He stands up and looks around. "Hello? Is anyone there?"
Mary stands up as well, "I don't hear anything. Merlin? Is everything all right?"
"Yes, yes. I hear the druids in my head. If I concentrate, I might be able to make out where they are. They must be very close!"
Merlin closes his eyes and listens carefully. Mary watches him, fascinated.
Merlin puts out the fire, puts on his backpack, and starts walking in a direction.
He turns to Mary, "I know where we have to go. And Morgana is there!"
Mary follows him.
Suddenly she too hears people talking to each other, goats bleating and they see a small tentvillage. People are cooking peacefully by the fire or going about other work. Morgana is walking next to a druid and they seem to be engaged in a conversation. Mary sees that Morgana is limping. Mary and Merlin are still hiding, watching the people.
Morgana and the druid disappear into one of the tents, which is close to Mary and Merlin. Immediately, the young warlock crouches towards it. Mary follows him quietly.
From the tent they hear the druid ask, "What do you want to know?"
Morgana answers, "Why can I see the future in my dreams? Why can I light a fire with my thoughts?"
"People who can do that are very rare. You have a gift."
"Is it magic?"
"In a way, it is."
Mary and Merlin look at each other. The druid continues, "It will take many years before you can fully understand it, let alone use it. You needn't be afraid of that."
"I am, if you have Uther as your guardian! If he finds out, he'll have me executed."
"He won't!"
"And if he does?"
"We won't let that happen. You are safe here! You should not be afraid of Uther, but pity him!"
"Pity him, why?"
"Because he is a broken man whom fear has taken. His hatred of sorcery has banished goodness from his heart."
"I was always told sorcery destroys the soul. It would be something evil."
"Uther told you that? Just because he ordained it as law doesn't make it true! You will learn that magic is not a dark art that must be hidden. It can also serve good."
Merlin smiles at Mary. As the druid leaves the tent, Merlin slides in to the tent to Morgana. Mary whispers, "Merlin, what are you doing?"
Since he stops looking around, she goes into the tent after him.
Morgana startles as Merlin and Mary enter the tent. "Merlin! Mary, what are you doing here?"
Merlin says, "We've come to take you back to Camelot."
"Then I'm afraid you came here for nothing. I'll never go back."
"You'll have to."
"Why? You, Merlin, were the one who told me to seek out the druids."
"I couldn't foresee the repercussions."
"What repercussions?"
"The king thinks you've been kidnapped. He won't rest until you are found. He has arrested dozens of people. He wants to have them all executed!"
Horror spreads across Morgana's face, "If I return, the same fate awaits me."
"Uther doesn't need to know. Me and Mary won't tell anyone."
Mary shakes her head in agreement.
"I'm sorry. I'm not going back. These are my people, they are like me. Here I don't feel so alone. Do you understand?"
"Better than anyone!"
Suddenly the druid returns, "Morgana, we have to go!" He pauses when he sees Merlin and Mary, "Mary? And who are you?" he asks facing Merlin.
Morgana answers, "It's okay, they're friends. What is it?"
Only now do Mary and Merlin hear the commotion outside the tent.
"Arthur and his army are coming. Your friends have led them straight here."
Quickly they all leave the tent. Outside there is chaos, everyone packs up some important things and flees into the denser forest. Mary and Merlin feel terrible. They didn't think to cover their tracks. Suddenly Mordred comes face to face with them. Mary smiles at the boy.
As the first knights rush into the village, Merlin and Mary quickly follow the fleeing druids.
Arthur just sees a druid leading Morgana into the forest and takes up the pursuit.
Merlin, Mary, Morgana, the druid whose name is Aglain, and Mordred go a different way than most. Suddenly, Morgana stumbles and remains seated.
"We have to keep going!" says Aglain.
"I can't go on, my leg hurts so much!" Mary sees that she has a bad wound. Aglain looks at her and says, "She was stung by a serket. We treated it, but the poison takes time to leave the body completely."
Mary nods, she has heard about the scorpion-like serkets. They are said to be as big as a horse and have a powerful venom of their own.
The barking of the dogs gets closer and Merlin says, "I'll try to distract them. Keep running. It's my fault they're here! Run!"
Morgana says, "I'll never forget this."
Aglain helps her up, he takes Mordred by the hand and they continue walking. Mary stops for a moment.
She looks at Merlin and says, "Please be careful!"
He nods and goes to meet the pursuers. When he no longer sees the others, he conjures up dense fog that hides everything around. You can barely see your own hand in front of your eyes. This should keep Arthur and his men from moving forward quickly.
Morgana falls down again and says, "I can't go any further!"
"We won't leave you here!" replies Aglain.
Mary sees that they have been discovered and steps protectively infront of Mordred. Morgana faints. Aglain is hit in the back by an arrow and Mary is paralyzed with horror! But Mordred reacts in a flash. Everything happens so fast.
He takes Mary by the hand and pulls her away with him, further into the fog. Mary follows him blindly and hears the guards shouting that they have found Morgana. Tears stream down her face for the loss of Aglain, who had always been kind and friendly.
Suddenly Mary and Mordred are surrounded by guards. Mordred is still holding Mary's hand. The guards approach and raise their swords. Merlin watches from afar and can do nothing. Mary pulls Mordred closer to her. The boy closes his eyes and screams loudly in desperation. Mary sees all the guards being lifted into the air and flung away. She also feels a pressure on her chest, making it difficult to breathe. The guards remain lying lifeless.
Merlin can also feel the power of the boy's magic. Mary's sight gos black and she slumps to the ground. Mordred strokes Mary's hair and then runs away into the forest.
Merlin quickly runs to Mary and is relieved when he sees that she is breathing. A short time later, she opens her eyes and looks at Merlin in confusion. "What was that?"
"That was strong magic! You were just too close, and yet Mordred protected you from the effects of it. Otherwise you'd be dead, like the guards here." Dismayed, Mary looks around. "Aglain is dead, too."
"I know they found Morgana unconscious beside him. How do you know him anyway?"
"I sometimes visit the druids to treat wounds or relieve other ailments. Gaius knows. The Druids are a peaceful people and it pains me that we did this to them." Mary hangs her head. Merlin remains standing sadly beside her.
Arthur takes Morgana back to the castle. Uther takes her in his arms and says, "I was so worried about you!"
Arthur replies, "You were right. It was the druids. They kidnapped her."
In the evening Merlin, Mary and Gaius sit together at the table. Mary has cooked and they eat together, much to Gaius's delight. He watches the two of them. They are both very quiet and introverted. And yet they seem to be getting along better again. Mary sits down by the fire after cleaning up and falls asleep there, as she often does. Gaius covers her and then looks at Merlin.
Merlin says, "I'm sorry, Gaius." Gaius walks up to the boy and takes him in his arms. Merlin is taken aback, "I thought you would be mad at me!"
"I was! Until the moment you and Mary walked in the door. Then I was just grateful to have you back unharmed!"
"Morgana knows the truth now. The druids told her she had magic. I'm sorry!" "It's not your fault. You were just doing what you thought was right."
"What do we do now?"
"We have to watch her, and hope Uther never finds out what powers she has!" Merlin nods. Gaius says, "It looks like you know the whole story about Mary now, too?"
Gaius sees Merlin's expression change from concern to sadness and pain. "Yes, she told me about Thomas. Terrible, the things she's had to go through."
Gaius nods, "She smiled for the first time, since i've known her, just before you came to Camelot. Gwen had her do it. And since you've been here, Mary has changed a lot. She has more joy in her life again!"
"Yes, that's what she told me. Still, I don't know how things will go. She doesn't want to have anything to do with anyone who has magic, in fear that she will experience another loss."
"Yes, and yet she will need you in her life. You're already too much of a friend. But I don't think she'll ever love you the way you love her! It's a protection she's built around herself. It's better that way for both of you! Now let's go to bed. You look tired."
Merlin doesn't argue. He lies awake for a long time, thinking about Gaius's words.
