A few months have passed. Every now and then there is a short commotion in Camelot in some way, but nothing of great importance, except for one incident, it seems. Morgause, a young sorceress came to Camelot, fought the prince and won. But instead of killing him, she wanted something in return from him. So a little later he set off with Merlin to look for her. During this adventure, the prince and his servant learned that Arthur's birth was only possible with magic. Through magic, the king was given a son, an heir to the throne. However, to restore the balance of the world, the life of Ygraine was taken. The enraged prince hurried back home, where he, full of rage, confronted his father. To prevent worse, Merlin made him believe that Morgause had used her magic to deceive him, Arthur. But Merlin was also disappointed that his mentor, Gaius, had not told him about the manner of Arthur's birth.

Morgause had made an impression on more than just the prince, however. She gave Morgana a bracelet that lets the lady sleep peacefully at night. Morgana keeps thinking about the mysterious Morgause and feels closer to her than she can explain.

More weeks pass and Merlin continues to work his magic in the background and the rest of the world does not find out.

Mary is sitting in Gaius' chamber reading an anatomy book. The physician is asleep. A disease has just swept through Camelot and Gaius is exhausted. Mary also feels the fatigue. Although most of the people have recovered, Mary has been ordered to take over the night watch. Some children are not quite out of the woods yet. Outside it is raining. Mary shivers and pulls a blanket tighter around her shoulders.

Merlin lies in his bed and sleeps. He, too, has been quite ill for a few days and has yet to recover.

Suddenly a voice in his head wakes him up: "Take the door to the north. Straight ahead. Keep going." Merlin sits up. He knows the voice. Merlin gets up, puts on his boots, and walks out of his room. Mary looks up from the book in surprise. Merlin has to hold onto the door frame as everything revolves around him.

Mary walks up to him, "Merlin, are you okay?"

"Um no, I...it's all spinning...but I have to..."

"Merlin? I don't understand. You're not quite well yet. Please go back to sleep."

But Merlin has his orientation again and continues to walk out the door into the hallway.

Mary follows him, "Merlin!"

"Mary, come with me if you'd rather, but I need to see if I'm right."

Mary doesn't understand a thing. She fears another spike of fever in him, so she follows him.

Merlin stops abruptly and closes his eyes.

"Go on. It's not far!" he hears the voice again.

Mary has seen him like this before. "Do you hear something in your head?" she asks therefore. Merlin nods and continues walking.

"Morgana's chambers are next!" Merlin hears and runs off. Mary follows him as fast as she can.

Suddenly Merlin is jerked aside and Arthur pushes him against the wall.

"Merlin!!! What are you doing here? Are you having a fever again?"

Merlin shakes his head, "They're in Morgana's chambers!" immediately Arthur runs in that direction. Followed closely by his knights, Merlin and Mary.

Near Lady Morgana's chambers, Arthur asks, "Are you quite sure, Merlin? You don't really look healthy yet!"

"Yes, I'm sure...I saw her with my own eyes."

"What were you doing down here?"

"I heard voices in my..."

"In your...?"

"In my room. I thought I should check it out!"

"Honestly, that's hard to believe! For once, you showed real initiative! And what is Mary doing here with you?"

Merlin looks at Mary, but she answers herself, "I came to check on Merlin. Like you, I'm not sure how healthy he is yet." Arthur laughs at that.

Arthur listens at the door to Morgana's room. It is silent. Then, as he pries it open, Morgana startles up from her bed, "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I had to assume there was an intruder here!"

"Right now Arhur, you're the only intruder here!"

"Someone invaded Camelot. Didn't you hear the warning bells?"

"Of course. I was hoping to be safe in my chambers!"

"Allow me to search your room."

"You will not! Don't you think I would know if someone had come into my room?"

Arthur nods, "Please forgive me!"

Outside the door, he grabs Merlin by the collar, "Merlin!"

"I don't understand!"

"Oh, what part don't you understand? That you made me look like a fool or that you made yourself look like an idiot?"

"There was someone in there. I know there was!"

"A little advice, Merlin. In the future, do what you do best...which is nothing!" angrily, the prince stomps off.

Merlin stops. The voice in his head has gone silent. He presses his ear to the door and listens very carefully.

Turning around, he sees Mary standing there waiting for him. "I'm sorry. If it helps any, I believe you that someone was there! My necklace is vibrating. Come on, you need to get back to bed. Otherwise you'll be sick again in a minute!"

The next morning, Merlin comes out of his room pale. Mary is lying next to the fireplace, asleep. Gaius is stirring in a pot of porridge.

He looks anxiously at Merlin, "Long night?"

"Yeah, you could say that."

"Mary told me. There was a commotion in the castle. An intruder?"

"Yes, I heard voices in my head." Gaius looks at Merlin in surprise. "I recognized the voice, too. It was Mordred!"

"The druid boy? What was he doing here?"

"He was leading someone to Morgana's chambers."

"Are you sure? She and the boy had some sort of connection."

"Yes, but this ist about more than that! What if they had been caught? Whatever they were doing. They were willing to die for it."

Gaius touches Merlin's forehead: "You no longer have a fever. But are you sure you can work today? Mary said you were still a little weak on your feet."

"No, I'm fine again. I don't think Arthur will give me another day off due to illness. He saw me in the castle yesterday."

"Well, eat something before you go!" Gaius sets a plate of porridge out for him.

In the evening, warning bells suddenly begin to ring again. Arthur is led by the guards into the vault to the treasury. The gate is wide open. Arthur immediately discovers that the Crystal of Neahtid is missing. "The locks are not damaged. Someone must have stolen the keys from me."

Merlin asks, "Was this crystal valuable?"

"Of course it was! Otherwise it wouldn't have been down here, would it? Whoever it was, he knew what he was looking for. Tell me Merlin, who is supposed to make sure my chambers are locked? Whose job is it to make sure nothing like this ever happens?"

"I'm sorry."

Arthur goes straight to his father and tells what happened. He takes the blame for the stolen keys.

Uther says, "This is a serious loss. The crystal of Neahtid was locked up for a reason."

"Why is it so important?"

"It is a tool of magic. In the days of the Great Purge, many sorcerers died to protect it. Whatever it is, it is important to them."

"I will search the city."

"Arthur, the crystal must not fall into enemy hands."

"Yes, Sire!"

Merlin follows the prince, "Arthur, thank you!"

"For what? For lying to my father to save your worthless skin? If you put me in a situation like that again, I'll personally put you in irons. I don't think you're fully recovered yet. But Merlin, you better hope we find that crystal."

When Merlin returns to Gaius, Mary is sitting at one of the tables reading. Merlin sits down at the table, exhausted. Mary gets up, ladles him a plate full of soup, and sets it in front of him. "Here, to help you regain your strength."

Merlin smiles, "Thank you! Today a crystal was stolen from the treasury. Morgana stole the keys to it from Arthur earlier."

Mary asks, "Are you sure it was Morgana? Then she also stole the crystal?"

"I'm sure. I caught her in Arthur's chambers. She was at his cabinet where he keeps the keys. She must have stolen them."

"Can you prove any of this?"

Gaius also comes to the table and listens. Merlin says, "No, not really...but she did, I'd bet on my life for it!"

"Merlin, you're accusing the king's ward without proof...you're gambling with your life!"

"I know. You're right."

Gaius says, "It doesn't make sense. Why would Morgana steal something like that?"

"Uther said it was a tool of magic."

"There are many legends surrounding the crystal."

"Is it some kind of weapon?"

"I don't know. The earlier sorcerers believed it held the secret of time."

"What did they mean by that?"

"I'm not sure. The crystal is an artifact of the Old Religion. There is only one who can tell you more about it."

Mary looks at Gaius uncomprehendingly, "Yes I've heard all that too. But who would know more about it here in Camelot than you?"

Gaius quickly replies, "Oh, I was just saying that..."

Merlin interrupts him, "Gaius, I'll take Mary with me. She knows everything about me, then she can learn this secret as well. And frankly, I'll be glad if she comes along. I don't know if I can make it there and back...I feel drained."

Gaius looks uncertain, "Merlin, be careful. Tell her to stay in the background."

Merlin and Mary walk to the gate by the dungeons. That gate where Mary had stood before. She had also already climbed down the long staircase. "Merlin, that's where you come to an empty cave. I've been there before."

Merlin is surprised, "You just went down a flight of stairs like that? Without knowing where they lead?"

"Well, actually I followed you."

"Hmm empty you say? Well I think today you are in for a surprise. But let's go down slowly and stay behind me."

Just before the end of the stairs, Merlin stops. "Wait here. You may look around the corner, but don't come out. I don't know how he'll react." Mary nods tensely. She can already feel her necklace vibrating and growing warm. When she looks at the pendant, it even glows. Surprised, she gasps.

Merlin stands on the ledge and looks to the dragon, which is sitting in its usual spot. "I need your help."

"I'm sure you do, young warlock!"

Mary looks out from behind the rock that forms the passage to the surface and can't believe her eyes. A giant dragon is sitting there talking to Merlin. Mary marvels at the wonderful, magical creature. Tears come to her eyes from joy.

The dragon says, "First you must keep your promise."

"I said I would set you free, and I will!"

"When?"

"When I know Camelot is safe. Trust me."

"Why should I?"

"Because you have no other choice!"

"What do you wish to know?"

"What is the Crystal of Neahtid?"

"For those who can use it, the crystal holds tremendous knowledge."

"What kind of knowledge?"

"The knowledge of what is, what was, and what is yet to be."

"Does that mean it can show the future?"

"Among other things, yes."

"The crystal was stolen."

"By whom?"

"Lady Morgana."

The dragon begins to laugh. "That witch doesn't have the power to control the crystal."

"Does the Druid boy have the power?"

"Mordred? That would be possible! Why do you ask?"

"I think they are both involved."

"I warned you before about the Druid boy. It is his destiny to bring about Arthur's downfall." Mary can't believe what she's hearing. "It may be that that time has now come."

"What do you mean?"

"The ancient prophecies say of an alliance between Mordred and Morgana, united in evil. But this alliance must be stopped. Cost what it may." Mary shakes her head in disbelief. None of this can be true.

A short time later, the two of them, silent, climb the stairs again. Merlin keeps taking breaks and breathing heavily. At the top, they sit down on the top step.

Mary can finally ask her questions: "That was a dragon! What an incredibly beautiful creature! How long have you known about it? And why does Gaius know about it? You want to free the dragon? When? And how? What did the dragon mean when he said Mordred would bring about Arthur's downfall? And he calls Morgana a witch...and doesn't seem thrilled with her either? An alliance between Mordred and Morgana? Merlin, none of this can be true, can it?"

Merlin looks down at his feet and smiles, "Mary, your questions are giving me a headache... I've known the dragon since I've been here. I've heard him calling in my head too. Gaius knows him as well. Uther captured the last dragon and chained him up. Gaius was there. The freeing thing is a promise I made to him when he helped me defeat Sigan. When and how, I don't know either. I fear he will attack Camelot and Uther then. He may be a beautiful creature, but he too wants justice for his years of imprisonment. Well, Mordred and Morgana, he's been talking about that for a long time. You know my fate, Gaius told you. Mordred and Morgana also seem to play an important part in Arthur's life. Just not a good role. I can't see it coming to that at the moment either. I think we can go on. I really need to get to bed."

Mary nods and gets up. Together they walk back to Gaius.

When it is dark and many people are already asleep, Morgana sneaks out of the castle. What she doesn't see is that Merlin is following her in the shadows of the walls. She goes to the stable, takes a horse and rides off. Merlin does the same. When it is already getting light again, Morgana has finally reached her destination. Merlin watches as she goes to a druid village and is greeted there joyfully by Mordred. She hands a leather pack to a druid. He opens it and the crystal emerges.

Merlin overhears a conversation between Morgana and the druid a little later.

He says, "I hope that in time Mordred will learn to master the crystal. And when he does, we will defeat Uther! Uther and all who serve him."

Morgana asks quietly, "All who serve him?"

"If we are to win this war, there can be no half measures. I can see that troubles you!"

"Yes, it does!"

"My lady, we are fighting for bare survival. So are you. The boy said you have magic powers. You have nothing to fear!"

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm already so used to hiding the truth."

"Believe me, I know how it feels."

"Every day I have to look Uhter in the eye, and I know if he finds out who I really am, he'll have me killed. I just want to be myself. I don't want to be alone anymore."

"You are not alone. You are here with us. You never have to be alone again."

"I have to get back before someone notices I'm missing."

Merlin comes back and sits down, exhausted. Gaius and Mary are already awake and going about their business. Gaius asks, "Merlin? Where have you been? You'll catch your death."

Merlin tells Gaius and Mary everything he observed and describes the druid in great detail. Gaius says, "Alvarr has a terrible reputation."

"You know something about the druid?" asks Merlin.

Mary puts a strong broth in front of him, which he gladly takes.

"I know that he is a sorcerer. He and his band of renegades have threatened to overthrow the king."

Merlin nods, "He sounded very determined."

"He is fanatical. And his followers follow him without reason. Blinded by his charisma."

Merlin closes his eyes wearily, "It had an effect on Morgana, too. And Mordred. Alvarr uses him, too. He thinks the boy can use the power of the crystal."

Gaius puts a hand on Merlin's shoulder, "This can't happen, Merlin!"

"If we can't get to Uther. What are we to do then?"

"We can bend the truth a little."

Gaius comes out of Merlin's room a little later, where the young warlock has lain down. Mary asks, "How is he?"

"Well, he doesn't have a fever, after all. He's supposed to be taking it easy, but he won't have much time for that."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to see the king..."

A little later, Gaius is standing in front of Uther, and he asks, "You know where the crystal is?"

"I believe I do, sire!"

"How did you get this information?"

"In my position as a physician, I treat many different people. They hear things, Sire, and see things. Last night I was confronted by someone like that, who told me the crystal had been stolen by a band of rebels, led by a man named Alvarr." Mary sees Morgana swallow nervously.

Uther asks, "Who exactly was this informant?"

"It would only be fair, Sire, to keep his identity secret. If news of the betrayal reaches the rebels, it could endanger his life." Uther nods.

Arthur asks, "Where is this Alvarr to be found?"

"He was last seen in the Valley of Chemary, Sire."

Uther speaks, "Call the guards, Arthur. This must be investigated at once."

"Yes father! Thank you, Gaius! Tell Merlin to be ready in the morning!"

Gaius wants to reply but the prince is already outside. Morgana follows him and says, "Arthur, you are not thinking of doing this seriously, are you?"

"No, I'm not thinking of it, I'm carrying out the order."

"But you're just chasing a rumor."

"True. But right now it's the only lead we have!"

"I assure you, you're wasting your time."

Arthur stops and looks at Morgana with a smile, "Morgana, I didn't know you cared about me. I can take good care of myself. The combination of raw talent and hard training makes me..."

"Yeah I know, that's what makes you so obnoxious." Arthur grins at her and goes on to make all the arrangements.

Morgana sets out that night to warn Alvarr and his men.

Mary and Gaius go back to the physician's chambers. Mary briefly checks on Merlin, who is fast asleep.

When she comes back out of the room, Gaius looks at her seriously. "Gaius? What's wrong?"

"It is hard for me to say this, but you must go with them in the morning."

Mary nods, "Uther will want me to go anyway. To be there for Arthur should he get hurt."

"Yes, but I also want you to keep an eye on Merlin."

Mary gathers her things. "Merlin can take good care of himself."

"Mary, he's not quite well yet. The events of the last few days have not helped his recovery..."

"I know, I promise to take care of him...if he'll let me!"

That seems to be enough for Gaius and he lies down. Some time later, Mary makes herself comfortable in front of the fire and falls into a dreamless sleep.

Early in the morning, Arthur and his men ride off. Merlin and Mary are also with them. They make good progress and get closer and closer to their destination. In the meantime Morgana has reached the druids and can warn Alvarr. Alvarr asks Morgana to return before she is discovered by them and begins to take precautions to protect himself and his people from the approaching knights.

Merlin rides beside Arthur. Mary rides directly behind them. Arthur looks at the pale Merlin and says, "I don't know why I bring you on these expeditions! You're terrified all the time!"

"I'm not terrified."

"Yes, you are, I can see that!"

"No, you can't!"

"If you weren't afraid, you'd be talking nonsense as usual, nonstop."

"Well, I'm talking as usual! So it's clear that I'm not afraid."

Arthur just laughs.

After a while, they all get off their horses and creep through the thicket until they can see the Druids' camp. Mary notices that it looks deserted. And yet the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. It is far too quiet. Arthur dashes ahead and charges toward the camp. His men follow him. At a cooled fireplace, he stops. "Well, whoever was here. Isn't now."

Mary, who had been hiding, comes out as well. She stands next to the prince and looks around. Merlin looks around uncertainly and says, "Yes, they are still here!"

At that moment, an arrow speeds by inches from Arthur's and Mary's faces and hits a knight in the chest. From then on, everything happens in a flash. Knights everywhere fall to the ground, hit. Arthur takes Mary by the hand and shouts, "Take cover!"

Arthur takes Mary to a large rock, "Here, hide behind this..." and goes back into the fight.

Mary watches from her hiding place as they fight. Arthur fights well and eliminates one rebel after another. Mary sees Merlin standing in the background, helping with his magic without anyone else noticing.

Mary suddenly sees a dark green little cape disappear into the nearby forest. Mary knows it is Mordred and begins to follow him.

Merlin has also seen the druid boy and goes after him. Merlin uses his magic to make the boy trip over a root. Mary looks around in surprise. Horrified, she looks at Merlin, as two guards are now walking threateningly toward Mordred. But Mordred raises two spears in the air with his power and hits the guards in their chest with them. They collapse dead.

Merlin and Mary watch in horror. Merlin hears Mordred in his head, "I will never forgive you for this, Emrys! And I will never forget."

The boy disappears into the forest. Mary walks up to Merlin, who sinks to his knees. "Merlin, why did you stop him? He could have died."

"You know what the dragon said about the boy and Morgana. I have to stop it!"

"He's just a kid, Merlin! Maybe it won't turn out the way the dragon says. The future is not yet definitely written. Come, let's take cover. You need to rest. The battle seems won." She pulls Merlin with her, behind the stone.

Arthur is just now grabbing Alvarr by the collar, "Give me the crystal!"

"Why? What good is it to you? You are a fool. How many lives were left today. And for what?" Arthur searches the druid and finds the crystal wrapped in leather. Alvarr says, "You cannot control the crystal. You do not have the power. None of you!"

Arthur walks past Mary and Merlin, unwrapping the crystal and looking at it. Merlin feels the power emanating from it and can hardly take his eyes off the crystal. Mary notices and puts her hand on his arm, "Merlin, what's wrong?" But she knows that strong magic is involved. Her necklace tells her so.

But Merlin just shakes his head and follows Arthur and the men back to the horses.

It darkens quickly and Arthur looks for a place to rest. Merlin and Mary find wood and build a fire. Mary makes a large pot of soup, which is quickly eaten.

One by one the men begin to lie down for the night. Mary remains sitting by the fire with Merlin. She sees that something is bothering him. He stares into the fire and rubs his forehead. Arthur comes and lies down beside the fire.

He says, "Merlin, see if the horses are watered and have food." Merlin makes no reply. He does not seem to have heard the prince. "Merlin?"

"Sorry!" startles Merlin.

"Not the right answer!"

Mary stands up and says, "I'm going to check on the horses, Sire!"

Arthur looks after the girl. Then he glances at Merlin, "Something's bothering you, isn't it?"

"It's just...When we entered the camp, we walked into a trap. They knew we were coming."

"Yeah, so?"

"How did they know?"

"Well, they are sorcerers, aren't they? Maybe they used magic!" Arthur takes out the leather pack and holds it out to Merlin, "You must guard the crystal with your life."

"Why me?"

"I can't very well guard it when I'm asleep, can I?"

"Neither can I!"

"Who said anything about you being asleep?"

Merlin accepts the package. As soon as Arthur lies down, however, he drops it at his feet. The power that emanates from it literally calls to him. Mary finds him still staring into the fire with the leather package at his feet when she returns from the horses. She sits down next to him. Silently, they both look into the fire, which grows smaller and smaller, and silence descends over the forest.

Merlin can't sleep and still sits in front of the fireplace. Mary lies next to him, breathing deeply and regularly. Merlin can feel the power nonstop. He is so tired and exhausted and can no longer resist the urge. He picks up the leather and drops the crystal into his hands. The power grabs him with full force. He sees images in the crystal. Terrible images. Images that are yet to be. With all the strength he can bring up, he lets go of the crystal, which falls to the forest floor. Mary, who is a light sleeper, wakes up from this and sits up worriedly. Merlin holds his head and breathes heavily.

"Merlin...Merlin...look at me! What's wrong with you? You're scaring me!"

She sees the crystal lying on the ground and packs it back into the leather. Merlin looks at her tiredly. She makes him lie down and covers him up. "Get some sleep! I'll stay awake. And I'll take the crystal to myself, if that's what you want."

Merlin nods gratefully. Worried, she watches him sleep. Something about this crystal disturbs him. To her, the stone looks quite harmless, though she knows magic emanates from it. As she puts wood on the fire again, she hopes that morning will come soon.

When everyone returns to Camelot, Alvarr is accused of treason by the king. Alvarr explains that he acted alone. Mary sees the relief on Morgana's face. Uther sentences Alvarr to death.

When the entire court is out of the hall, Morgana remains with the king. "How many more must you kill before you are satisfied?"

"He was guilty. He confessed his crime. You heard him as much as I did!"

"His only crime was defying you."

"Why do you defend this man? He is a sworn enemy of Camelot. You know that!"

"Are you surprised he wanted you dead? You, who have persecuted his kind day after day, year after year."

"I don't want to hear any more about it!"

"Because you are a arrogant fool! Blind and deaf to the needs of the people you pretend to serve and protect. The people will not tolerate this any longer."

"I said ENOUGH!" shouts the king angrily.

But Morgana continues to speak. "They are rebelling against you. From this day forward, I know you no more. From this today forward, I disown you!"

Uther is beside himself with rage, "You will go to your chambers at once!"

Morgana says softly, "And you, Uther, will go to hell!" The king looks after her, speechless.

Mary, Gaius, and Merlin sit at dinner. Merlin seems restless and confused. He barely eats and looks into his plate. Gaius looks at Mary. She just shrugs her shoulders. Merlin hasn't spoken a word since last night.

Gaius says, "Merlin? Is there anything interesting in your plate?"

Merlin barely looks up, "Excuse me?"

"What's wrong?"

"It's the crystal. It holds a terrible power."

"But it's locked away now! It can do no harm. Unless the damage is already done!"

Mary looks to Merlin, who says quietly, "I was holding it. I knew I shouldn't have. I knew nothing good would happen, but it made me look. I couldn't resist. I saw things. Terrible things." Tears come to Merlin's eyes.

Gaius says, "Then you have already paid the price."

"What I saw hasn't happened yet. I'm scared, Gaius. I'm really afraid of what the future will bring."

"Nothing in this world, knows any future. Even the crystal..."

"But what I saw was so real!"

"It was real, but that was just one reality. The future is still unformed. It is we who shape it. It's you, Merlin. The choices you make, how you act. Always remember. Now eat your soup before it gets cold. And lie down when it's done. You need to rest."

Mary stands up and clears the plates from Gaius and herself. "I'm going home today. I need to sleep in my own bed again. Sleep well." Gaius nods to her. Merlin doesn't seem to have heard her at all.

Mary is awakened in the night by the ringing of warning bells. She learns the next day that someone had helped the druid escape. Merlin, Gaius and also the king suspect Morgana behind it. But no one can prove it.

Mary fears that dark times are coming for them all.