Fulfilling a part of prophecy
Running down the dungeons, she reached the tunnel.
" Hello!" She called.
The great dragon flew infront of her.
" I need your help! Merlin is dying." Alexia told him.
" What do you mean?" The dragon asked.
" Nimueh, she poisoned him. With mortaeus flower. She spelled. It was magic. He just have few hours. Please help me. Arthur has gone to get the leaf. But he can't be back within hours. Please." Alexia cried.
" I can understand young witch. But I can't do anything. However you can." He told her.
Alexia looked at him hopefully.
" What?" She asked.
" Merlin is not just a creature of old religion, he is magic itself, in a human form. But Nimueh is also a high priestess of old religion. There is but only one way to save young warlock. And only you can do that. As you are blessed with a special power." He told her.
" What shall I do?" She asked.
" You have to give him your life force. You have to share your life force with him, to keep him alive, till the young Pendragon arrives back." He said.
Alexia stared at him shocked.
" This is a very dangerous process young witch. If by any chance your life force is emptied, you can die." He told her.
Alexia looked at him with a nod.
" How can I do that?" She asked.
" I can give you the knowledge young witch. It's you who have to bring the will power. Now open your mind and grasp this knowledge." The great dragon said.
Alexia nodded and closed her eyes. The dragon breathed air on her, providing her the knowledge to share her life force.
" This knowledge is very special young witch. And it shall not be passed to anyone. Now you must do it." He said.
" I can't go upstairs, or in my room. I will do it here only." She said.
The great dragon nodded.
Alexia smiled at him and sat on the stone floor, closing her eyes and crossing her legs. She started meditating and concentrating.
About two hours later, Alexia knew that her magic was in her command now.
" Eímai i evlogiméni kóri tis lefkís theás, zitó ti mageía mou na moirastó próthyma ti dýnami tis zoís mou me to megalýtero empólemo, ton Émrys, ti Mérlin! " Alexia chanted the spell and a golden energy surrounded her.
The dragon looked at her in surprise and awe. Generally, the life force was blue, but Alexia's life force was golden, which meant she was having a heart of gold. A pure heart, which was never seen in centuries.
Meanwhile in Gaius's chambers. Gwen was out looking for the servant girl Cara. while Gaius was looking at his ward in tears as he saw the life slipping away from him.
Suddenly a golden hue covered Merlin when he gasped loudly.
Gaius looked at him surprised.
But was relieved when he saw Merlin stabilizing.
Uther paced in Morgana's room. "I expressly ordered Arthur not to go!" He fired thunderously.
"I'd say it worked like a charm, too." Morgana retorted, sounding slightly amused.
"Not another word!" Uther ordered.
"My lips are sealed." Morgana replied with a slight smile.
"I should've put him under lock and key." Uther muttered
Morgana rolled her eyes. "You can't chain him up every time he disagrees with you."
"Just you watch me! I will not be disobeyed! Especially by my own son!" Uther roared.
"No. Of course you won't." Morgana muttered, sitting down at her desk to write. Uther approached her, his face full of dawning comprehension.
"You knew about this, didn't you?" Uther asked, leaning down at the opposite end of the table. "Morgana...don't lie to me."
"Arthur's old enough to make decisions for himself." She pointed out.
"He's just a boy." Uther disagreed.
"Have you seen your son recently? You have to let him make his own mind up." She reprimanded him gently.
"Even if it means letting him go to his death?" Uther asked. Morgana just looked at him.
Arthur rode towards snow-covered mountains and down a dirt road through the forest. Nimueh watched him , looking displeased, from her stone basin. She pulled up the hood of her bright blue cloak and left her cave to meet him.
Merlin stirred restlessly in his bed while Gaius inspected Merlin's rash with a magnifying glass.
" I don't know how you are doing this Merlin, but you are still alive. And that's what matters!" Gaius said in relief. Gwen entered the chambers.
Gaius looked up to meet her gaze. "Let me guess, she wasn't there."
"No one has seen her since the banquet." Gwen reported, shaking his head slightly. "Who is she?"
"Not who she claims to be."
"But you know, don't you?" Gwen replied.
"Cara. Though, that's not her name. Not her real name, anyway." Gaius sighed.
"Then who is she?" Gwen questioned
"A powerful sorceress."
"Well, we should tell Uther. Maybe he could send riders out after her."
"No, she'll be long gone." Gaius dismissed her suggestion. "It's impossible to know where, though. Oh, no." Gaius straightened as a thought comes to him.
"What?" Gwen asked hearing the change in tone.
"She knows the only place an antidote can be found is the Forest of Balor. Arthur could be walking into a trap." Gaius worried.
Below them, Merlin began muttering, "Arthur. Arthur."
Arthur lead his horse through the forest, while the cockatrice peeked out from under fallen tree.
Merlin began his muttering again. "Arthur - swa sceal geong - guma gode - gewyrcean.." Gwen and Gaius exchanged worried looks.
Meanwhile Alexia is still sitting in her meditating position, her body glowing gold and her life energy passing to Merlin.
" You don't know what you are doing young witch. But you are fulfilling another prophecy." The great dragon said.
Arthur lead his horse through the forest. He stopped when he heard Nimueh's fake crying and approached her as she sat on a fallen log with fake bruises.
"Hello? Are you alright?" Arthur asked kindly, as Nimueh pretended to cower in fear of him.
She shrieked in pretended fear as the Cockatrice roared from behind him.
Arthur got up to confront the beast, before cautioning Nimueh, "Stay back."
Nimueh smiled in evil anticipation as Arthur faced the beast, pulling out his sword and swinging it around once. The Cockatrice lunged at him, and Arthur rolled under it as it jumped. He then spun his sword around a few times before throwing it, killing the beast. Nimueh grimaced at the prince's victory.
Arthur stood up straight and looked at her; and she got up and backs away in pretend fear.
"It's alright. I'm not going to hurt you." He assured her, pointing at her arm. "Who did that to you?" Arthur asked, pointing to her bruises.
"My master. I ran away from him, but then I got lost. Please don't leave me." Nimueh begged, her voice full of innocent fear.
"I won't. I'm not going to." Arthur assured her.
"You can take me away from here?" She asked with an uplifted expression.
"Not yet. There's something I have to do first." Arthur said as he looked at the cave mouth.
"Why have you come to the caves?" Nimueh asked curiously.
"I'm looking for something." Arthur said as he untied the leads of the horse. "It can only be found here."
"What is it? I know this place; I could help you." Nimueh offered.
"It's a type of flower that only grows inside the cave. It's very rare." Arthur revealed, leading the horse towards her.
"The Mortaeus flower? I know where they are. I'll show you." Arthur looked slightly surprised at the girl's knowledge, but after a moment he followed her.
Arthur and Nimueh entered the cave with torches, with Nimueh leading the way confidently.
"Arthur, it...it's a trap. It's a trap." Merlin muttered, moaning and tossing with fever.
"His fever's getting worse, isn't it?" Gwen guessed, putting her hand to his cheek to check his temperature.
"The poison's setting in."
"Hine on ylde eft gewunigen wilgesiþas, þonne wig cume." Gwen looked up at Gaius.
"Shh." Gaius tried to comfort him, using the cloth to try and cool his fevered forehead. "Could you fetch me some more Wolfbane?" Gaius asked Gwen.
"Yes, of course." Gwen replied easily, heading straight out of the door.
Once she was gone, Gaius turned to the young warlock. "Merlin, you must fight it." Gaius ordered. Merlin opened one of his eyes for a split moment before closing them both again.
Alexia gasped in the cave.
" Young witch. Please stop soon. You are emptying your resources." The great dragon said, but Alexia didn't stop.
Nimueh and Arthur turned a corner in the caves.
"There they are." Nimueh said, pointing at the cliff across from them. The flowers were across a large gap with a narrow ledge and long drop down. Arthur looked down cautiously.
"Keep back from the edge." Arthur cautioned. Noticing her fearful looking face. "Don't worry. We'll be out of here soon."
As soon as he began to approach the chasm, Nimueh began to chant, "Eorthe, lyft, fyr, waeter, hiersumie me."
The cave began to shake as she continued to chant, the earth broke from the bottom of the shelf on which Arthur was currently standing.
"He thaes frofre gebad, weox under wolcnum, weorthmyndum thah. Eorthe ac stanas hiersumie me. Ic can stanas tobrytan."
Arthur turned in shock at the sound of Nimueh chanting behind him. "What are you doing?" Arthur exclaimed.
"...Hiersumie me." She finished, giving Arthur an evil grin.
Arthur dropped his torch as the rock fell out beneath him. He jumped for the opposite ledge and catched it with his hands, hanging from the side while Nimueh watched on.
"I expected so much more." Nimueh voiced condescendingly.
"Who are you?" Arthur yelled, trying to see backwards.
Nimueh dragged back the hood to her cloak. "The last face you'll ever see." She said.
Arthur grunted in anger, and a giant spider showed up on the ledge from which Arthur was currently hanging.
"It seems we have a visitor." Nimueh stated.
Arthur edged away from the spider, managed to draw his sword and killed the spider while dangling from the ledge with one arm.
"Very good." Nimueh said, sounding slightly impressed and sarcastic at the same time. "But he won't be the last. I'll let his friends finish you off, Arthur Pendragon. It's not your destiny to die at my hand."
Nimueh turned and left with the torch, leaving Arthur dangling from the ledge in the dark.
"Who are you?" Arthur yelled after her.
Merlin tossed in his bed, muttering, "Arthur. It's too dark. Too dark." His voice changed slightly as he began to chant, "Fromum feohgiftum on fæder bearme. Fromum feohgiftum."
In the cave, Alexia was now panting a bit. Her breathing was becoming a bit shallow.
" Young witch, you must stop this right now!" The great dragon said. But again no reply.
Gaius, looking even more surprised, saw something glowing underneath the blanket. "Merlin." Gaius said incredulously, folding back the blanket to reveal that Merlin was holding a glowing ball of light in his hand.
"What are you doing?" Gaius questioned in amazement.
As Arthur hanged from the ledge, he saw the ball of light filter slowly upwards in the cave.
"Come on, then! What are you waiting for? Finish me off!" Arthur exclaimed.
But instead of harming him, the light floated above Arthur and stayed suspended there. With a grunt of exertion, he pulled himself onto the ledge. The light moved higher along the cliff, but Arthur spotted the Mortaeus flower on the wall.
"Leave them, Arthur. " Merlin exclaimed.
A loud screech announced the large number of spiders crawling toward Arthur.
"Go. Save yourself. Follow the light." Merlin begged.
Arthur climbed to the flower and managed to grab it after a moment of trouble. He put it in a pouch on his belt before turning to continue his climb as the spiders keep coming. After tearing off his leather gloves, Arthur started to race to the top of the cliff.
"Faster. Go faster. Follow the light!" Merlin yelled, as Gaius tried to hold him down and wondered what in the world the young warlock was doing.
The light continued to climb slowly as Arthur climbed his way towards freedom with the spiders hot on his trail.
"Move. Climb." Merlin ordered, Gaius still trying to hold him down.
Arthur finally made it to the top and the light flied off into the night through an open doorway. Back in Camelot, Merlin calmed down, and the light disappeared from his hand. Gaius replaced the cloth on his forehead.
One of the guards spotted Arthur approaching the castle from the battlements. "Inform the King! Arthur has returned to Camelot!"
Arthur rode up to the drawbridge gate, where guards blocked his way holding spears.
"What are you doing? Let me pass." Arthur ordered, indignant that his path was being blocked.
"I'm sorry, Sire." One of the guards apologized, drawing his sword. "You're under arrest, by order of the King."
Uther visited Arthur's cell in the dungeons, where Arthur stood, furious.
"You disobeyed me." Uther said angrily.
Arthur threw back his retort, equally angry. "Of course I did, a man's life is at stake. Do not let Merlin die because of something I did."
"Why do you care so much? The boy is just a servant." Uther asked.
"He knew the danger he was putting himself in, and he knew what would happen if he drank from that goblet, but he did it anyway. He saved my life." Uther turned slightly and bit down to keep out the angry retort. "There's more." Arthur added, causing Uther to turn back around. "There was a woman at the mountain. She knew I was there for the flower. I don't think it was Bayard who tried to poison me."
"Of course it was." Uther dismissed.
Arthur pulled out the flower from the pouch on his belt and held it out towards his father. "Gaius knows what to do with it."
Uther took the flower and looked at it as Arthur continued, "Put me in the stocks for a week, a month even, I don't care. Just make sure it gets to him. I'm begging you."
Uther looked at his son before crushing the flower in his fist.
"NO!" Arthur yelled, looking outraged.
"You have to learn there's a right and a wrong way of doing things. I'll see you're let out in a week." Uther said, before walking out of the cell as Arthur stared at his back with an infuriated expression. "Then you can find yourself another servant." He said, dropping the flower carelessly just outside of Arthur's cell door before walking away.
The guards locked the door and Arthur tried desperately to get the flower that was just beyond his reach.
Back in Gaius' chamber, the physician was watching over Merlin, who was covered in sweat and was having obvious trouble breathing.
In the tunnel, Alexia too was in similar situation. Her face was full of sweat, her golden glow was now flickering. Her breathing was uneven.
The great dragon was looking at the girl in worry.
Gaius looked up as Gwen walked in. "He hasn't got much longer. Has Arthur got the flower?"
"I don't know." Gwen replied, frustrated. "Uther won't allow anyone to see him." They both looked down at Merlin, who is still stirring restlessly and wheezing.
"Alexia!" Merlin whimpered. Gwen looked at him restlessly.
"Is there nothing we can do to help?"
"Only the leaf of the Mortaeus flower can save him." Gaius replied.
"And we have to find out if Arthur has it." Gwen paced for a moment before offering, "I could sneak into the dungeon."
"That would be very dangerous." Gaius replied cautiously.
"I've got to. Merlin will die if I don't." Gwen said desperately.
Merlin struggled to breathe, his breath coming in several short gasps that reminded the pair how little time is left.
"Be careful." Gaius cautioned. Gwen nodded before turning to leave, while Merlin continued to struggle to breathe.
" Alexia... stop..!" He mumbled.
Gaius looked at his ward.
" Where are you Alexia?" Gaius muttered.
Gwen walked down the stairway with a plate of food and approached a guard. "Food for the prisoner."
A guard waved her through, where another guard unlocked the door for her.
Arthur, who was sitting at the far end of the cell staring at the floor, glanced up at the sound of the cell door unlocking. "Set it down over there." Arthur ordered clearly, directing her with a flick of his eyes.
Gwen stared at him, and glanced at the guard, before going and putting it down on a small table and taking a step back. Arthur got up and moved to the table. "Thank you." Arthur muttered
Gwen turned to leave, until Arthur called after her, "Wait a minute."
Arthur puts the plate back down and walks back to his seat on the floor. "I couldn't possibly eat this, it's disgusting. The state it's in, I'm not sure it's fit for anyone." He emphasizes the last part, staring at Gwen in the eye.
Arthur put the plate back down and walked back to his seat on the floor. "I couldn't possibly eat this, it's disgusting. The state it's in, I'm not sure it's fit for anyone." He emphasized the last part, staring at Gwen in the eye.
Gwen went back to pick up the plate and smiled when she saw the flower on the plate. She gave another smile to Arthur, who shifted in his seat, before turning and leaving the cell.
"You. Wait!" Gwen stopped with an annoyed expression and turned around as the guard approached. He picked over the plate and grabbed some bread, ignoring or not noticing the flower in the middle of the plate.
"Waste not, want not, eh?" The guard said, waving the bread. "We're not all as precious as our Royal Highness."
Gwen smiled slightly and turned to leave, passing another serving girl on her way down the steps with a plate and cup.
"Food for Prince Arthur." The servant stated.
"Stay where you are!" The guard yelled, pointing at Gwen. She dropped the plate and dashed up the stairs.
Gwen ran in to the physician's chambers as Gaius was in the middle of pacing.
"How is he?" Gwen asked urgently.
Gaius ignored that question in favor of another. "Have you got the Mortaeus?"
"Here." Gwen said, holding the flower out to him before sitting at Merlin's side.
"His breathing's much worse. We have to hurry." Gaius said as he began to crush the flower.
Gaius worked to crush the leaves before stopping, a thought occurring to him.
Gwen noticed from the corner of her eye, and asked "Why have you stopped?"
"The poison was created using magic. We may need magic to make an antidote." Gaius explained
Gwen looked fearful. "But we can't. It's forbidden. Even if we could."
"I'll try and make it work without it. Oh, I need some fresh water." He said, holding out a small vessel to Gwen, who ran out the door.
Gaius lifted the bowl he's holding. "Sythan..."
Gaius stopped and looked around, nervous to be practicing magic again and taking a moment to calm himself he glanced at the door, and then towards Merlin, who is pale and barely breathing.
Coming to a decision, Gaius picked the bowl up again before he closed his eyes and began to chant, "Sythan arrest wearth feasceaft funden. Denum æfter dome. Dreamleas gebad he gewinnes longsum."
The potion sizzled and foamed for a moment before settling back into a dark green. Gwen ran back in and handed him the bowl of water before rushing back to Merlin's side.
"Thank you." Gaius said softly, mixing the fresh water with the potion.
Gaius poured the potion into a small cup and went to Merlin. "Hold his nose." He ordered.
Gwen pinched his nose as Gaius poured the potion into Merlin's mouth. "Swallow, Merlin. Swallow it." Gaius urged. Merlin swallowed reflexively before suddenly going still.
"He's stopped breathing. What's happening? Gaius?" Gwen looked slightly panicked.
In the tunnel, Alexia's breathing stopped before going limp and falling sideways.
Gaius put his head to Merlin's chest. "His heart has stopped." Gaius informed her.
" Young witch!" The great dragon called.
"He's dead?" Gwen stated in disbelieve.
"He can't be. He can't be. It was his destiny." Gaius denied before he stood up.
"It's my fault. If I'd have got here sooner. If I'd have been quicker." Gwen sobbed.
Gwen got up and cried in Gaius's arms.
"No, no. It was me. I should've looked after him better. It's my fault." Gaius murmured before kissing the top of her head.
"That's disgusting." Merlin's voice popped up. "You should be ashamed of yourself. You're old enough to be her grandfather."
In the tunnel, Alexia's breath returned after a loud gasp.
" You are fine young witch." The great dragon said, fondly, thought he would deny if asked later.
Gwen and Gaius looked down at him, happy and shocked. "Merlin. You're alive."
"No. I'm the ghost come back to haunt you." Merlin teased sarcastically.
Gwen grabbed Merlin's face and kissed him, before backing off, embarrassed. "Sorry, I'm just...I thought you were dead."
Merlin looked stunned as he replied, "It's fine. Erm..what happened?" Merlin asked. "The last thing I remember is drinking the wine. And where is Alexia?"
In the council chambers, Uther consulted his advisors over maps and reports. Gaius entered and addressed the king, "Sire, forgive the interruption, but may I speak with you?"
"Not now." Uther dismissed.
Gaius presses. "But, Your Highness, it is important."
"Word of Bayard's arrest has got back to Mercia. We're about to be attacked." Uther replied.
"I feel that what I have to tell you may have some bearing on your plans. Please, it will only take a moment." Gaius asked.
Uther looked slightly annoyed, but he nodded to one of the knights and stepped aside with Gaius.
"I know who tried to poison Arthur." Gaius began.
"So do I. He's locked in my dungeons." Uther replied, turning to walk away.
"It wasn't Bayard." That statement made Uther stop. "The poison was magical. And I'd recognize the hand that made it anywhere: Nimueh."
Uther looked shaken. "You must be mistaken."
"I wish I was.
"It can't have been. We'd know her. That witch's face is not easily forgotten." Uther sneered.
"She's a powerful sorceress. She can enchant the eye that beholds her. We never knew it was her." Gaius told him.
"Have you any proof?" Uther asked Gaius.
"The poison used against Merlin was made more potent by the use of magic." Gaius informed him.
"Are you saying that she conspired with Bayard to kill Arthur?" Uther asked.
Gaius shook his head at that idea. "No, Bayard is innocent. Look at what's happening. This is what she's wanted all along. A war to bring strife and misery to Camelot."
Uther stared off to the side for a moment before he asked one of the knights, "How long before Bayard's armies reach our walls?"
"A day. Maybe less. We should send cavalry out to meet them." The knight replied.
Uther thought for a moment before ordering, "Instruct your men not to leave Camelot until I give the word."
"Sire." The knight bowed and walked out, followed by many of the advisors.
"You are making the right decision, Sire." Gaius commented. "Do you think Arthur should be told the truth about Nimueh?"
Later that night, Merlin is sitting on the chair.
" Where is Alexia?" Merlin asked, impatiently.
" I don't know." Gaius replied, repeating the answer.
Arthur entered the physician's chambers, and smiled when he saw Merlin, sitting at the table with a blanket around his shoulders.
"Still alive, then?" Arthur stated, making Merlin turn.
"Oh. Yeah, just about. I understand I have you to thank for that." Merlin said.
"Yeah, well, it was nothing." Arthur lied blandly. "A half decent servant is hard to come by." Both boys smiled. "I was only dropping by to make sure you're alright. I expect you to be back to work tomorrow."
"Oh yeah, yeah of course, er, bright and early." Merlin cheered.
Arthur turned to leave, greeting Gaius as he walked out.
"Arthur." Merlin called after him, making the prince stop and turn. "Thank you."
"You too. Get some rest." Arthur said, before heading out the door and down the hall.
"Arthur may give you a hard time, but at heart he's a man of honor. There aren't many who'd have risk what he did for a servant." Gaius said, putting the bowl of soup in front of him.
"It all would've been for nothing if you didn't know how to make the antidote." Merlin replied with a half smile.
Gaius just looked at him and then motioned to the soup. "Eat your dinner." He said.
Merlin nodded."I still don't understand why she went to all the trouble of framing Bayard. She could've just kept quiet and killed Arthur."
"But destroying Arthur and Camelot wasn't all she was after. She knew you would be forced to drink that wine. It was you she wanted to kill." Merlin just stared at him with an unreadable expression, thinking about Gaius' words. "Seems someone else knows you're destined for great things, Merlin."
Merlin got up and wore his jacket, turning to leave.
" And where are you going young boy?" Gaius asked.
" To search Alexia." He said simply.
As he exited the room he heard the voice of great dragon in his head.
" Merlin!" He called.
Merlin looked irritated, but decided to go to him.
Sneaking in dungeons, Merlin reached the tunnel only to find Alexia lying at the floor, unconscious.
" What in the world? Alexia!" He called. He turned to great dragon.
" What did you do?" He asked in anger.
The great dragon just snorted.
" I didn't do anything. Infact it was the young witch who did this." The dragon stated.
" Why would Alexia harm herself?" Merlin asked.
" You, young warlock, were on your death bed. To save you, the witch decided to practice the most ancient magic of life forces. She shared her life force with you young warlock, to keep you alive since yesterday. This is the after effect of the magic." The great dragon informed him.
Merlin stared at Alexia in surprise.
" Did she know what would happen if she did this?" Merlin asked.
" She knew the consequences would be danger for her, but what she didn't know was that she fulfilled another prophecy today." The great dragon said.
Merlin stared at Alexia, who was peacefully lying there.
" What kind of prophecy?" Merlin asked.
" At time you will know. Now you must take her back. She will be fine by tomorrow." He told Merlin.
Merlin nodded.
" How could you be so stupid Alexia!" Merlin muttered and picked her up, turning to leave.
" You would be astounded to know, her life force was of gold." The great dragon said his parting words and flew up. Merlin looked confused but decided to ask Gaius.
He took her back to Gaius's chambers.
Gaius opened the door as he heard a knock. He looked surprised to see an unconscious Alexia in Merlin's arm.
" What happened to her?" He asked shocked.
" She did some thing to keep me alive. Resulting in her this situation." Merlin told him.
Gaius frowned.
" How?" He asked.
Merlin thought for a moment, before answering.
" I don't know. I just found her unconscious. Will you please check her?" He asked.
Gaius nodded and grabbed her wrist, checking the pulse.
" It's faint but she is fine. It looks like she exhausted herself badly." Gaius told Merlin.
" Good night Gaius." He said. Gaius nodded and left the chambers, shutting the door behind.
" Why the hell did you need to do this?" He asked the sleeping form of Alexia.
He shook his head falling to sleep.
At other place, Arthur, Morgana, and Uther watched. from the battlements as Bayard and his men ride away from Camelot.
"Okay. Let the bragging begin. How'd you manage it?" Morgana asked
"I'm not sure. All I do know is I had help." Arthur admitted. "Someone knew I was in trouble and sent a light to guide the way."
Morgana looked surprised by this confession. "Who?"
"I don't know. But whoever it was, I'm only here because of them."
"I'm glad you're back." Morgana smiled and left.
"Arthur?" Uther called to get Arthur's attention. "The woman you met in the forest, what did she tell you?"
"Not much. She was too busy trying to get me killed." Arthur replied with a sarcastic bite. "It was strange, though."
"In what way?" Uther asked.
"I was at her mercy. She could have finished me off, but she chose not to. She said it wasn't my destiny to die at her hand."
"You must've been scared." Uther said.
Arthur, ever the prince, refused to admit it outright. "Had its moments." He offered.
"Those who practice magic know only evil. They despise and seek to destroy goodness wherever they find it." Uther stated in a deadpan voice. "Which is why she wanted you dead. She is evil."
Arthur gave his father a long look before replying, "Sounds as if you know her."
"I do." Uther admitted, before continuing, "To know the heart of one sorcerer is to know them all. You did the right thing. Even though you were disobeying me." Both men smiled at that statement. "I'm proud of you, Arthur. Never forget that." Arthur looked slightly stunned at that declaration, before turning to once again look out over the battlements.