Finally, the sun is shining. Merlin looks out the window and smiles. Spring had been cold and wet until now.
"What are you doing?" The prince's energetic voice brings Merlin back to reality. He looks down at his hands, still holding the polishing cloth he was using to work on the armor just a few minutes ago. But now it lies a few meters away on the table.
Merlin turns hesitantly, "I was just wondering if I could use the cloth to clean the windows...so more sunlight could get in."
Arthur glances at his abandoned armor on the table, "Are you done with that then?"
"Uh...yeah."
Arthur takes a look at the breastplate, which is still full of earth splatter from the last training session. He drops the armor back on the table. "Hmm, you want to clean the windows. I think that's an excellent idea. But first, you polish my armor until I'm reflected in it! When you're done with those chores, my floor is waiting to be scrubbed once again. I think it's going to be a long day for you today! So if you've been looking out the window trying to think of what to do in this great weather, I guess it'll have to wait until tomorrow. If you're unlucky, it'll rain again then." Arthur turns and walks to his desk where his lunch is ready.
Merlin drops back into the chair in front of the armor and gets back to work.
There is a knock and Morgana pokes her head in. Seeing Merlin first, she looks around uncertainly. Arthur calls out, "Ah, Morgana! How can I help you? Have you had anything to eat yet, or would you like to dine with me?"
Morgana clears her throat and doesn't dignify Merlin with another glance, "I was just wondering if you knew where Gwen might be? She was going to help me with some more clothes that need mending."
Arthur is about to open his mouth to answer, but he is interrupted by Merlin, "Gwen hasn't been here all morning. We don't know where she is."
With a dangerous glare in his eyes, Arthur shushes his servant and says, "If my idiot servant hadn't interrupted me, I could have told you where Gwen was. I met her just before, outside in the castle garden. She and Mary are there picking flowers for the many rooms in the castle. I guess the girls have been waiting for the sunshine hours. I hope they enjoy it...not everyone gets to do that today!" He finishes the sentence with another glance at Merlin, who concentrates on the armor again.
Morgana says delightedly, "That's wonderful. Then I'll go out in the sun for a bit, too, after all. Maybe they need a little more help." Morgana hurries out of the room again.
Merlin notices that he is being watched by the prince. Stubbornly, he continues to look at his work of polishing.
Arthur says, "Why did you lie to Morgana? Mary was here this morning and happily told you what she and Guinevere were doing in the garden. So you've already lied twice today and then you interrupted me too." Arthur leans back in his chair and Merlin suspects no good. "You know what? My horses need to be mucked out today, too. It just occurred to me. And I'm not hungry anymore either." The prince stands up and lets the door fall loudly into the lock behind him. Merlin exhales with a sigh and continues his work.
Gwen is just now putting another bouquet of flowers in her basket. It seems as if the flowers have been waiting for the sun's rays. The garden is blooming in the most wonderful colors. Gwen nudges her friend and says, "Isn't this good, after all the dark events lately? Starting with the dragon's attack, your bad headaches and ending with the king's illness. Fortunately, Morgana is back. She is to Camelot as the warming sun is to this garden." Mary nods, but does not smile. Gwen looks at her questioningly, "Aren't you glad Morgana is back? I have my work again and Morgana has been just wonderful lately. She gives me free time when I ask for it and takes an interest in how I'm doing. Which is something I miss from my best friend."
Mary raises her head, "I'm sorry, Gwen. Of course I want to know how you are."
"I know you do. But you always seem a little tense. Especially when I bring up Morgana. What's the matter?"
"Nothing. I just have to get used to her being here again. Of course, it's nice. Especially as it makes the king feel better again."
"You know what? We should go out riding together again sometime. Have adventures."
Mary laughs, "What do you mean, we?"
"Well Morgana, Arthur, Merlin, you and me. I felt like we were something like friends back after Ealdor. Even though we come from different backgrounds, we're almost all the same age and we got along well, didn't we?"
Mary smiles sadly, "That was a long time ago."
"What was a long time ago?" asks a voice behind them. Gwen turns happily, while Mary rises slowly and faces Morgana as she approaches.
Gwen replies, "Mary and I were just thinking about when we all rode together to Ealdor to help Merlin and his mother. How well we all got along, even though we didn't have anything in common."
Morgana smiles, "I remember. You could say we were almost friends. It's a nice memory. It just occurred to me, why don't we do it again? If the weather is still this nice tomorrow, we could go for a ride and have a picnic somewhere. It doesn't have to be a fight for a village, but maybe we'll get a little closer again. A lot has happened lately, and we've all been scarred by it." Her eyes fall on Mary's right hand, which is still marked by the burn scars from the dragon fire. Mary hides it behind her back, ashamed.
Gwen beams at her Lady, "Oh, Morgana, that would be wonderful!"
Morgana smiles, "Good, I'll let Arthur know about it. He won't be thrilled, but it will do him good. The atmosphere between him and Merlin was pretty icy just now. I don't know the two of them like that at all. I'll see you at the horses in the morning. Don't forget the picnic." waving, Morgana heads back to the castle.
Gwen talks happily about the planned ride out for the rest of the afternoon, while Mary laughs along every now and then, wondering what Morgana is up to.
Mary brings the last bouquet of flowers to Gaius. She had hoped to find the old man in his chambers, but the room is deserted. Mary climbs the few steps to Merlin's room and looks in, but it too is empty.
Mary sighs and sits down at one of the tables. She tries to read a few pages in a book, but her thoughts keep wandering to tomorrow's trip and Morgana. She can't stop it, but the witch scares her.
Mary almost told Gwen everything this afternoon. But she knows Gwen wouldn't have believed her. Morgana plays her part well. Mary doesn't want to jeopardize her friendship with Gwen over this. She hopes that her friend will soon realize herself that Morgana is playing a false game.
Mary rubs her forehead. A headache is making itself felt. She closes the book and stands up. Some fresh air will do her good. She takes her cloak and writes a little letter to Gaius explaining that she will take care of dinner later.
Dusk is setting in as Mary walks through the main gate. People everywhere are hurrying home to spend the evening in front of a warming fire and with their loved ones. Actually, Mary wanted to go to her retreat in the forest, but now she realizes that she doesn't really want to be alone.
Her gaze falls on the stables and she sees that there is still light. Maybe Stefan is still working. She walks toward it and opens the gate. The smell of straw and horses wafts toward her. Mel, her horse immediately comes closer and stretches her muzzle towards her. Mary pats it affectionately and says, "I'm sorry. I didn't bring you an apple like I usually do." She presses her face into the horse's mane, which leans its head against hers as if it senses she needs closeness.
Stefan has heard her and pokes his head out of one of the stalls where he is putting out fresh hay. Smiling, he watches her. After a while, he clears his throat and says, "Mary? What brings you here this late at night?"
Mary whirls around. She had quite forgotten that she was going to see if Stefan was still working. When she sees him now, she smiles with relief and walks up to him, "Actually, I wanted to get some fresh air. But then I saw the light in the stable and thought I'd visit my favorite horse..."
"And your favorite stable boy?" Stefan interrupts her with a grin.
Mary laughs, "I thought I might keep you company for a bit."
Stefan frowns, "Is everything okay?"
"Yes...but Gaius wasn't back from his evening rounds yet and I was alone. Often I don't mind...but today..." Mary sighs.
Stefan returns to the horse stall, which he is freshening up, "Well, if you don't mind if I keep working, you're welcome to join me. However, there is someone else working here today that you might prefer to accompany." Mary looks questioningly at Stefan. The latter says, "Merlin arrived a few minutes ago and is in the stable next door, with the royal horses. Arthur probably wants to punish him for something. I know Merlin doesn't like to do this work. I would have taken it from him, but tonight I think one of the mares is having her foal and I have to prepare this place for it. I'll probably sleep in the barn. See, now I'm talking, and you were going to tell something."
Mary sits down on a bale of straw, "I don't know what I was going to say, or if I was going to say anything at all."
Stefan starts spreading the new straw, making sure the floor is well covered with it. Stefan asks, "How is the mood in the castle? Here in the Lower Village, everyone seems happy that Morgana is back. I imagine the king feels the same way."
"Yes, the mood is happier than it has been in a long time." Mary says this with so little conviction that Stefan turns to her in surprise, "But you don't seem to feel that way."
Mary shrugs, "It's a little complicated. But Morgana is different."
"Well, I'm sure she's been through some bad things in the year she's been gone, too. It's a wonder she's back here! Gwen was here earlier and told me you were planning a ride with Lady Morgana tomorrow."
Mary nods and strokes the scars on her right wrist, lost in thought. Stefan sees it and says, "They still hurt, don't they?"
Mary pauses and looks at him, "Yes. Yours too?"
Stefan cramps up his pant legs to show her the scarring on his legs, "Every day. Sometimes I hardly notice it. But there are moments when I can barely stand the burning inside."
"At least yours aren't visible to everyone."
Gently he puts his hand on her scars: "Yes, but nevertheless they are there and belong to me. I've accepted them. You should accept yours too."
Mary pulls her hand back and smiles sadly, "I'm working on it."
The stable door opens and Merlin calls out, "Stefan? Do you have another shovel somewhere?" He turns the corner and stops in surprise when he sees Mary so close to Stefan. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. Mary?"
Mary stands up, "You weren't interrupting. I should get back and take care of supper anyway." turning to Stefan she says, "Thank you!"
The two men look after her as she leaves the stable.
Mary and Gaius are already eating when Merlin returns. After washing and putting on fresh clothes, he joins them at the table and hastily eats his dinner. Gaius looks at him with amusement, "I see Arthur has been chasing you around quite a bit today."
"His mood today wasn't very good. And then he always takes it out on me. I hope tomorrow will be better...at least I don't have to spend the whole day inside the castle like I did today."
Gaius asks, "Why? What's tomorrow?"
"Morgana came by and talked Arthur into a ride and picnic. With Gwen, Mary and me." Merlin eyes Mary, who sits across from him but does not lift her gaze.
Gaius frowns, "That's quite a combination. What is she up to?"
"According to her, she wants to rekindle some of the friendship we once had for each other."
"Hmm, that can't be her real reason. Mary did you know about this?"
Mary pauses in her eating, "Yes, she discussed this with me and Gwen today."
"You're very quiet today."
"I don't understand. The thing I want to do most is tell everyone what game Morgana is playing. Yes, yes, I know! Don't look at me like that. I haven't said anything to Gwen. But I'm very bad at masking my feelings. I'll go with them tomorrow and pretend everything's fine. Still, I'm afraid of what she's going to do. If you'll excuse me, I need to lie down."
Concerned, Gaius watches her go, then looks seriously at Merlin, "She's right! You'll have to be careful tomorrow."
"I will keep my eyes open. She is no match for me. I'm not afraid."
"A little fear is never a bad thing to keep your senses on alert." Merlin stands up. Gaius looks at him, "What are you doing?"
"I need to check on Mary again."
Gaius holds the young man by the wrist, "Merlin! Don't. You'll see her again tomorrow." Merlin tears himself away and disappears into his room. Gaius looks at the now empty table with a sigh.
The next day around noon, Mary returns to the stable to get her horse out. Mel greets her kindly and paws her hooves as if she knows she will get to ride out today. Nervously, Mary strokes her dark mane. Stefan suddenly comes up to her and takes her by the hand, "Come on, let's cheer you up." He pulls her with him to the stall he had made ready last evening. A white mare is standing in it and next to her, on trembling legs, is a little foal. Mary can't help but smile. A tear rolls down her cheek. Stefan says, startled, "Sorry! I didn't mean to make you sad."
Mary squeezes his hand, still holding hers, "No, that's perfect. Thank you. I'm just a little emotional at times like this."
The door opens and Merlin comes in. Hastily, Mary wipes the tears from her face and lets go of Stefan's hand. Merlin frowns, but then goes to his horse, which also greets him joyfully.
A little while later, the five horses are ready for the ride. Gwen comes out of the kitchen with a large basket and Merlin helps her tie it to the saddle.
Morgana and Arthur join them and the little group sets off. Gaius watches them from the window. As always when his wards leave, he hopes for their safe return.
Morgana and Arthur ride ahead, Merlin rides in the middle, and Gwen and Mary bring up the rear. Today the sky is once again brilliant blue and the sun's rays are already warming. The forest appears in lush green and the birds chirp merrily.
Arthur looks at Morgana and asks, "How did you get this idea? I'm missing a training session with the knights today."
"For once, you can skip it. It's not like there's a war coming. Times are quiet. I just thought it would be a nice idea."
"Girl stuff..." says Arthur quietly to himself.
After a good hour, the five come to a clearing next to a small stream. Morgana gets off her horse and says, "It's nice here, isn't it? Let's have a picnic here."
Arthur now dismounts as well and walks over to Gwen to help her off her horse. For a brief moment they hold hands and look into each other's eyes a little longer than would be appropriate. Morgana notices it with a grin.
Merlin also dismounts and helps Mary untie blankets and pillows from the saddle. Looking over the saddle at her, he asks, "Are you all right?"
She nods, "Yes, why do you ask?"
"I saw you crying this morning. And it seems Stefan was comforting you."
Mary smiles, "No, he was just showing me the new foal and it made me cry with joy. You know me..." She lifts her eyes and looks at him.
He realizes she is telling the truth and it relieves him, "I see. When did it come into the world?"
"Last night."
The picnic proceeds somewhat inhibitedly at first. Mary, Gwen and Merlin in particular don't know how to act at first. But Morgana keeps holding out food items to them and asking them to take as much of it as they want.
The mood becomes more relaxed and soon they are laughing with each other and Mary notices how the tension is fading from her as well. Gwen is giggling at something the prince said to her. After some time, they put away the now empty plates and cups. Morgana and Arthur are discussing something and Arthur looks at his servant a bit unnerved: "Merlin! Why didn't you take any water bottles with you. Morgana specifically asked you to."
Merlin looks a bit confused for a moment. Mary sees that Morgana is looking at him challengingly and she immediately realizes that Morgana never asked him to do that in the first place. Merlin, too, has realized. But instead of fighting back, he says with a little bow, "I'm sorry. I was distracted by the young foal in the stable this morning. I can fill the bottle the wine was in with water, though."
Arthur nods, "Good, do that! Shall we ride on?" Mary notes with satisfaction that Morgana is not happy about the outcome of her little test. Morgana looks around and says, "Well, there's a big meadow coming up ahead. There's a lake behind it. How about we make a bet riding there? The fastest one wins and gets to ask everyone else a question, which they then have to answer truthfully." At her last words, she already sits on her horse and lets it gallop off.
Arthur calls after her, "Hey, that's not fair."
Morgana reins her horse back in, "All right, come on. We'll all start at the same time."
Merlin grins at Mary: "She'll be surprised when I win. I already know what question I'm going to ask her, too! Maybe this ride wasn't such a bad idea after all."
Mary isn't so sure and gets on her horse with an uneasy feeling. When they are all standing in front of the meadow, Morgana gives the signal to start the race. Everyone gives their horses the reins and spurs them on. Merlin is immediately in first place. Mary doesn't know if he is using magic or if his horse is really that fast. Arthur catches up pretty quickly, though. When they come over a small rise, they can already see the lake in front of them. Morgana is now speeding up as well. Mary knows that Mel is not the fastest horse and doesn't want to exhaust her unnecessarily. She lets herself fall back. Gwen does the same. She lets her horse walk beside Mary's: "Isn't this great? I haven't felt this carefree in a long time."
"Yeah, at least these three are having fun." Mary points to the three riders, who are now almost all at the same level and will soon be at the lake.
Gwen laughs, "Yes, Arthur is about to catch up with Merlin." At that exact moment, something seems to come loose on Merlin's saddle and he slides off to the side. Startled, the two girls watch Merlin fall out of the saddle. Fortunately, his horse stops instantly. Mary gives her horse the reins again and rides as fast as she can towards Merlin, who is still lying in the grass and not moving. So she doesn't see how Morgana, with a little wave of her finger, makes Arthur's horse shy. The prince is able to hold on to the saddle and calm the horse, but Morgana is the first to arrive at the lake. Triumphantly she waves to Arthur.
Mary arrives at Merlin's and jumps off her horse. She quickly unhooks the herb bag from her saddle and runs toward him. Merlin sits up with a groan and looks around. Mary sits down next to him, "Merlin! Are you hurt?"
Merlin looks down at himself and then shakes his head in wonder, "No, I think everything is still ok. I fell pretty soft on the grass."
Mary exhales in relief. Gwen joins in and says, "You just gave us quite a scare."
Arthur, who didn't notice the commotion, comes closer and asks anxiously, "Are you all right?" but when he sees Merlin sitting unharmed in the meadow, he says, "Well, your saddle's not tied down right? After all, this time it was yours and not mine. Come on. Knowing Morgana, she'll insist on her winnings. Let's get this over with. She used to play this game when we were kids. Don't think the questions will be pleasant. And she'll know if you're lying." The prince turns and goes to the shore of the lake, where Morgana is already waiting.
When Merlin, Mary, and Gwen also return, Morgana asks, "Merlin? Is everything all right?"
Merlin just says, "Yeah, I didn't hurt myself."
Morgana says with a grin, "Too bad...you were so close to winning. Maybe next time?!" Merlin clenches his hands into fists, but says nothing.
The five sit down on the shore and look across the lake. Arthur says, "Very well Morgana, you win. What are your questions for each of us?" Morgana takes off her shoes and holds her feet in the water. After a while she says, "My first question is for Mary."
Mary takes a deep breath and then looks at Morgana. She is ready. Morgana smiles. "What person has managed to touch your heart lately."
Mary looks at Morgana in surprise. She didn't expect such a question. Mary thinks about this morning when Stefan had taken her by the hand and showed her the foal. She smiles at the thought and is glad to have gotten such a simple question, "Stefan the stable boy. He has..."
"No...you don't have to say anything else. That's all I wanted to know. You're telling the truth." Morgang smiles at her, then brushes Merlin with her gaze. She knows this answer unsettles him and it pleases her.
Slowly Morgana walks through the water and then looks at Gwen, "Gwen. My question to you. Have you kissed Lancelot?"
Gwen chokes on the water she just drank from the bottle. Confused, she looks around. Arthur looks at her tensely. Gwen says quietly, "Yes, but that..."
"No! All I need from you, too, is the answer to my question! You, too, are not lying. Thank you for your honesty."
Arthur says unnerved, "Morgana, what's with the stupid questions. We're not teenagers anymore."
Morgana laughs, "Let me. I think it's funny! I'll ask you next! Is it true that you would have rather stayed with the knights today than go for a ride with us?"
Arthur rolls his eyes, "Yes, I admit it."
Morgana turns to Merlin and says, "That means you are the last to answer my question. Would you poison Mary if you thought it would save all of Camelot?"
Arthur can't take it anymore, "Really Morgana. Where do you come up with these questions?"
Merlin has gone pale and Mary knows full well that this is what Morgana wanted. She wanted to draw them all out and have them say things that could hurt the others.
Morgana just waves it off scornfully, "Very well, let's ride home. I don't even need Merlin's answer, because I already know that one!"
Gwen and Arthur follow her. Mary holds out her hand to Merlin, who is still sitting on the ground staring ahead. "Come on, don't let her get to you. Let's ride home."
Merlin shakes his head, "I need a moment."
"Merlin! Mary! Come on!" Arthur calls out impatiently.
The way back to Camelot passes in silence. Morgana rides in the lead and smiles wickedly to herself. She knows that one or the other of the group is now plagued by unpleasant thoughts. If she also manages to let individual friendships grow cold, then she is more than satisfied with her result.
Arthur's thoughts keep turning to Gwen and Lancelot. Although Lancelot is long gone, it stabs him in the heart to know that Gwen had kissed him.
Gwen is plagued by guilt and Merlin also tries to shake off the guilt that gnaws at him. On top of that, Stefan and Mary also keep running through his mind. Do they like each other more than they admit?
Back in Camelot, Gwen and Mary bring their horses back to the stable and Merlin takes care of his, Arthur's and Morgana's horse.
Gwen is about to go home, glum, when something occurs to Mary. She takes her friend by the hand and leads her to the mare with the fresh foal. She is pleased when Gwen begins to smile. Both girls stand there like that for some time. At some point Gwen turns to Mary and hugs her: "Thank you so much! I needed that right now. Actually, I thought the day had started wonderfully. But I can't shake the feeling that Morgana wanted to hurt us all with her questions."
"Yeah, I have that feeling too."
Gwen shakes her head, "I don't understand why, though. Maybe she had a bad night and was plagued by nightmares again."
Mary gives her friend another warm hug, "I'm glad I saw you smile again at the end. Sleep well!"
"I wish you the same."
Mary stays with the mare and her foal a little longer. The little one even comes near her and sniffs her curiously.
It is dark as she makes her way back to the castle. Gaius is reading by candlelight in one of his many books. He smiles at her as she enters, "Are you hungry? There's some soup on the fire."
Mary sits down with the old man and says, "Actually, I don't feel like eating. How was your day?"
Gaius raises his eyebrow, "How was my day? I want to know how your day was. Merlin disappeared into his room without a word and wouldn't come out. What happened?"
Mary tells in terse words what had happened and Gaius sighs, "She inflicts mental pain on you. Wounds that you can't see, but that get bigger and bigger if you don't treat them."
Mary nods, "I've already been able to treat Gwen, and I sent her home with a smile on her face."
Gaius looks at her proudly and asks seriously, "What about Arthur and Merlin?"
"Arthur will hopefully recover with time. He won't mope around for long. With Merlin, she has hit a sore spot. Do you mind if I check on him for a moment?"
Gaius shakes his head, "Go ahead. Maybe he'll let you in. He wouldn't hear of me. Oh...and why don't you bring him a plate of soup?"
Merlin lies on the bed and looks up at the ceiling. Again and again he sees Morgana's horrified face in front of him as she realizes that he has poisoned her willingly. Sighing, he closes his eyes.
There are three soft knocks on his door. Merlin turns away from it and does not respond. There is another knock and he knows she will not let go. "Come in?"
Mary tentatively opens the door. "I brought you some soup."
Merlin sits up, "I'm not hungry..."
Mary puts the soup on the little table next to the window and turns to Merlin, "She knew this would keep you busy. You're not to blame. You did what you thought was right then. And it was necessary...otherwise Camelot would have fallen."
Merlin looks down at his hands, "Actually, I kept telling myself that too. I wouldn't have had any other choice. But Morgana's question today, opened my eyes. Because if the dragon had said then that Arthur, Gwen, Gaius, or you were the cause of the sickness in Camelot, I would have looked for another solution. I would never have killed you willingly...So why did I hesitate so little with Morgana? I allowed myself to be manipulated and for that very reason it is very much my fault. I understand her hatred for me. She saw me as a friend, but I betrayed the friendship." Merlin hangs his head. When he looks up, he sees the compassion in Mary's eyes. He tries to smile and says, "Don't worry about me. I'll be able to handle it...eventually." His gaze falls on the soup, still steaming slightly, "Did you cook? Or Gaius?"
Mary laughs out, "Merlin, I'm not the one who can do magic...you know very well that I didn't have time to cook today." She holds out the soup to him, "But it certainly helps with the hunger."
Merlin accepts the plate and takes a spoonful. Mary turns away and says, "Good night, see you tomorrow!"
Merlin has something else burning on his mind. He feigns impartiality and asks, "Stefan touched your heart today?"
"I told you, he showed me the foal this morning. That hit me right in the heart. What Morgana was trying to accomplish with that question, I'm not sure." She shrugs and waves to him once more before closing the door behind her.
Gaius looks at her fondly and says. "I heard you guys laughing. Is he okay?"
Mary nods and kisses the old physician on the cheek, "I think so...I'm going to bed. Good night."