The gates of Avalon
Arthur drifted under water wearing his armor, while a woman stood over him and watched.Morgana woke with a gasp.
"Arthur! Arthur!" She gasped worriedly.
Arthur slinked through the woods with a crossbow, obviously hunting. As he was about to shoot, Merlin burst out of the trees and bumped into him. Alexia following him but not bumping.
"What is it?" Merlin asked, carrying two rabbits and an assortment of weapons.
Arthur gave him an angry glare. "You really are a total buffoon, aren't you, Merlin?"
"I was just asking." Merlin replied.
" Who? Me or the deer?" Arthur yelled
"Remind me why the hell we are here?" Alexia yelled in irritation as she seperated her locks of hair from the nearby branch.
Arthur glared at her.
" I would again remind you that we are hunting." He said through gritted teeth.
" Why? Alexia asked.
" Has the great stocks of Camelot ended that the prince is sent to hunt down poor creature?" Alexia asked.
Merlin snorted, which he quickly covered in coughs seeing Arthur glaring at him.
" Alexia..." Arthur started.
" No Arthur. They are just harmless living creatures, made by God to live on the earth. Not to be hunted by humans for pleasure!" Alexia said in annoyance.
" Alexia, this is what hunting is for." Arthur said.
" But things need to change. Hunting for survival is different thing. Hunting of pleasure, it's just like killing humans." Alexia said exasperated.
Arthur ignored and continued forward. Alexia was burning holes in his back by glaring at him. Merlin was happy to share his ideology with someone.
Next time Arthur once again interrupted by Merlin, before he could kill the deer.
" Merlin! We're supposed to be hunting. It requires speed, stealth and an agile mind." Arthur smacked Merlin in the forehead.
"So you're able to get by on two out of three, then?" Merlin retorted. Alexia laughed.
The sound of a woman screaming catched their attention.
"What was that?" Merlin asked.
"Please! Don't!" The voice said.
"Quiet." Arthur hissed.
"Help!"
Arthur grabbed his sword from Merlin, and they took off running.
When they reached the source of the noises, an old man laid on the ground as a bandit drew his sword to kill him. Sophia struggled with three other purse snatchers.
"No, no, I beg you! Mercy!" The man begged, cowering on the ground.
"Give us some money!" the bandit threatened.
"Help me! Help me!" The girl shrieked.
Arthur shoot one of the robbers with the crossbow; the others attacked Arthur. The man got up and held the girl. Alexia quickly unsheathed her own sword and fought with a bandit. Since the day she arrived here, she trained with Arthur as he believed her to be a good fighter. According to him, he just wanted a good competition. But Alexia knew he wanted to teach her so that she can protect herself. Arthur and Alexia fought off the bandits. Merlin ran up behind to see one of them get up behind Arthur.
"Forbærnen firgenholt." He chanted under his breath.
A large tree branch cracked and fell on top of the bandit trying to attack Arthur from behind. Arthur killed the one in front of him, while Alexia killed the other one. The final bandit ran off. Arthur looked up at the tree. "Stroke of luck." Arthur Muttered.
Alexia rolled her eyes and turned to Merlin, mouthing a 'thanks'.
He smiled at her.
"And let that be a lesson to you!" Merlin yelled after the bandit, shaking the rabbits at him.
Arthur gave him a look.
"What? I was covering your back." Merlin replied, making his way over.
"You alright? Didn't hurt you?" Arthur asked.
The girl turned to Arthur and removed her hood, showing her to be rather pretty. "No... Thanks to you. I'm Sophia. This is my father."
Alexia bit back a groan as she remembered the Sophia incident. It's just about four months she arrived here and she and Merlin saved Arthur more than five times. How can someone be so prone to get killed?
Arthur looked starstruck, but managed to reply, "Arthur Pendragon... at your service." He kissed Sophia's hand while Aulfric grinned in the background.
Alexia shook her head at his antics, but then grinned as she got a material to tease him.
In Camelot, Aulfric and Sophia stood before the court and Uther, telling their story.
"My name is Aulfric, heir to Tír-Mòr. This is my daughter, Sophia." Sophia curtsied.
"You're a long way from home. What brings you to Camelot?" Uther asked.
"Our home was sacked by raiders, we barely escaped with what few possessions we could carry." Aulfric informed him.
Uther nodded in understanding. "These are dangerous times. What will you do?"
"We travel west to Caerleon where we have family and, I hope, a new life." He said, glancing at Sophia.
Uther thought for a moment before he said, "You must stay here awhile, break your journey. A noble family like yours is always welcome in Camelot."
Both Aulfric and Sophia bowed, and were shown out of the council chambers. Arthur stared at Sophia as she exited with her father, which Merlin and Alexia both noticed with a grin.
When Arthur, Merlin and Alexia entered Arthur's chambers, Arthur told Merlin, "Make sure you put her in a decent room."
"The one next door's empty." Merlin reminded him, clearing away the breakfast dishes from the table.
"The one next door's fine. Excellent, in fact." Arthur agreed, until he looked up to see Merlin and Alexia grinning. "Shut up, Merlin."
"What? I didn't say anything." Merlin protested.
"You didn't have to. I want to make it clear that my intentions towards Sophia are completely honorable." Arthur said.
Alexia snorted but covered it in cough.
After a moment, he added in a resigned tone, "Put her in the room on the other side of the castle. It's warmer, more comfortable."
"Of course. She, er...is very beautiful." Merlin commented.
"Yes, she is." Arthur agreed distractedly.
"And if your intentions are honorable..." Merlin's voice trailed off.
"Oh, they are. Most definitely." Arthur assured.
"Then what's the problem with her staying next door?" Alexia piped in.
Arthur thought about it for a moment before saying, "There isn't one. You've convinced me. Put her in the room next to mine."
As the two servants left, they collided with sir Edward. Alexia bit back a groan.
"Ah, Alexia, I was searching for you." He said.
Merlin eyes the young knight, while he ignored him.
"I was wondering if I told you the incident of the wild bear. Did I?" He asked.
Alexia shook her head.
"Oh perfect, I believe I can tell you now." He said cheerfully.
"If you will." He asked motioning his hand forward. Alexia looked a bit nervous and glanced at Merlin, who was glaring at the knight.
Suddenly she shouted, "coming!" She then turned to sir Edward.
"Prince Arthur just called me, I am sorry sir Edward I must leave." She said quickly rushing back towards his chamber.
"But. Wait.. but... I didn't hear any call." He said, his voice lowering at the last part.
He then turned to merlin.
"Did you?" He asked, for which Merlin just nodded, giving a huge fake smile. Sir Edward looked confused, before checking his ear, leaving. Merlin too left for his work, to help Sophia.
Outside of her new room, Merlin handed Sophia a blanket. "If you need anything, just let me know." Merlin said.
"Thank you." Sophia said, turning to enter her guest room.
Morgana, who was walking down the hall, saw her and approached Merlin anxiously. "Who is that?"
"Er, Sophia Tír-Mòr. We rescued her in the woods. Well, Arthur and Alexia did most of the rescuing." Merlin said.
"She can't stay here." Morgana said worriedly.
Merlin looked confused. "The King said that she and her father are welcome in Camelot. Is everything ok?"
Morgana looked worried for a moment more before she gave a fake smile and assured him, "Yes. Thank you." Before walking off.
In the physician's chambers, Gaius was watching a flask bubble. Morgana entered just as Gaius took the flask off of the fire.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you." Morgana said, entering the room with her heels clicking.
"Nonsense, my child. My favorite patient is always welcome." Gaius assured her, and kissed her cheek.
Morgana looked at the table with a small frown, and Gaius told her, "I'm sorry about the mess. Most of it's Merlin's. If I'd known you were coming, I'd have tidied up in here."
Morgana threw another look at the table and informed him, "Er, it's not that. It's just...your bench is on fire."
"My bench is on fire?" Gaius nodded and laughed. "What are you..."
He turned to look. "My bench is on fire!" He exclaimed.
"Here." Morgana handed him a bucket, and Gaius used tongs to drop the burning material in the water.
"You're always getting me into trouble. What brings you to this dark corner?" Gaius asked.
"I had another dream." Morgana revealed.
"I see."
"I saw Arthur lying under water, drowning, and there was a woman standing over him, watching him die. And she's here in Camelot." Morgana told him, sounding scared.
Gaius frowned, before saying, "The mind plays tricks. It borrows from everyday life and plays out its own fantasy."
"But I had this dream before she came to Camelot." Morgana said, exasperated.
"You must be mistaken." Gaius argued.
"No, I know what I saw." Morgana insisted. "It was so real...so vivid. I saw him die, Gaius. She's going to kill him."
Gaius put a comforting hand on her arms. "These are just dreams, Morgana, nothing more. Are you taking the sleeping draught I made up for you?"
"Oh, it doesn't help." Morgana replied.
"Here. Try this. It will induce a deeper sleep." Gaius said, picking up a small green bottle and handing it to Morgana . "You've nothing to fear."
"Thank you, Gaius." Morgana replied. Gaius kissed her forehead, and she headed out.
"Morgana." Gaius called, causing her to turn around. "Don't bother Uther about this. No need to worry him."
That night, in a dark and ominous part of the forest, Aulfric approached the bandit that got away. The bandit stood up and drew his sword.
"You can dispense with the unpleasantries - your payment." Aulfric said, and held up a leather pouch.
"I want more. My friends are dead because of you." The bandit insisted.
"Yes. I'm sorry." Aulfic replied. "Such a dreadful waste of life. But, if it's any consolation, you'll see them again soon. má réðe cine týne!" Aulfric yelled, using his staff to kill the bandit.
Morgana stirred restlessly in her sleep. She saw the same vision of Arthur drowning with Sophia standing over him before she woke, breathless.
In Arthur's chambers, Merlin was fixing the bed linens while Alexia was collecting laundry Arthur leaned against the bed post, talking. "I'm taking Sophia out for a ride today. You know, show her around."
Alexia stopped.
"Where do I come into this?" Merlin asked, taking off the pillows.
Arthur replied, "Well, I'm supposed to be on patrol with the guard of my father this morning, so I need you to cover for me."
"What, and lie to the King?" Merlin scoffed. "No. No way. No, he'll see right through me. He'll have me in the stocks quicker than you can say rotten tomatoes."
"Merlin." Arthur said.
" No way Arthur. Merlin is right. And I totally oppose it. Arthur, you are going to say no and go for your patrol." Alexia said.
" Sometimes I think that that you forget that I am your master Alexia." Arthur said.
" I don't care about that. What you are doing is wrong. And I am warning you if your father found out he won't take it easily." She warned and left with the laundry.
Merlin sighed heavily.
"Merlin! I need you to do this for me." Arthur requested.
"I am a terrible liar. I start sweating, my- my vision blurs, my- my brain stops working." Merlin stuttered.
"Well, no change there, then." Arthur mocked. "Look, I promised Sophia I'd take her out and if I don't turn up it'll blow my chances."
"You like her, then?" Merlin asked.
"Yeah. What's not to like?" Arthur exclaimed, and Merlin chuckled.
"I want to spend some more time with her, but I need to get my father off my back. I can't order you to lie to the King, but ...you'd be a friend for life if you did." He finished, his voice softer and full of promise.
The two boys stared at each other for a moment before Merlin relented. "Go on, then, you don't want to keep her waiting."
Arthur smacked his arm before hurrying off. "Thanks, Merlin. I won't forget it." Merlin watched him leave with a grin.
From the window of her chambers, Morgana watched Arthur ride out of Camelot with Sophia.
"You're sure it's her?" Gwen asked.
"I could never forget that face." Morgana stated softly.
"You should speak to the King." Gwen said.
"And tell him what? That I can see the future?" Morgana laughed without humor.
If you think Arthur's life is in danger." Gwen replied.
Morgana turned from the window to look at her. "You know how he'd react."
"You're his ward, he wouldn't harm you." Gwen stated surely.
"He hates magic more than he cares for me." Morgana said.
"That's not true."
"Would you care to put it to the test?" Morgana questioned.
"But what else can you do?" Gwen asked.
Morgana looked back towards the window. "I'm going to have to try and stop her myself."
In the council chambers, Merlin stood while Uther entered, tying off his cape. When he looked up to see his son nowhere in sight, he asked Merlin, "Where's my son?"
"I'm not sure where he is. I, erm, I think there's been a mistake. But it's not his fault. Arthur's, I mean." Merlin stuttered.
"Stop gibbering and tell me where he is." Uther ordered.
Merlin took the blame. "It's probably... No, it's definitely my fault."
"Where is Arthur?" Uther asked, exasperated.
"He's not here." Merlin replied.
"I can see that." Uther said, sounding annoyed.
"Arthur wasn't sure of his orders, so he asked me to check with the guards to see if he was riding out this morning and...well...I may have forgotten." Merlin said, sounding sheepish.
"You forgot?" Uther said through his teeth.
"I'm sorry, My Lord." Merlin apologized. "I am sure he would have been here had I told him."
"If this was a time of war, I would have you flogged." Uther stated.
"And since it's not, we'll let it go just this once?" Merlin asked hopefully.
After sometime Merlin was being pelted with rotten tomatoes in the stocks.
"I forgot how much fun this was." Merlin laughed.
In the woods near Camelot, Arthur and Sophia made their way over a fallen tree. "The river's not far. It's just down here." Arthur said after helping her step over the log.
"Arthur...wait." Sophia called, setting her staff against the log.
"What is it?" Arthur asked.
Sophia took Arthur's hands and looked into his eyes. "Túce hwón frec'úre, artur." She chanted.
"You there! Halt!" A guard called out. Sophia backed away and Arthur tackled her as an arrow flew at them. Arthur ran towards the guards.
"Sorry!" the guard called.
"Sorry? You nearly shot a crossbow in my face! What do you mean you're sorry?" Arthur yelled.
Sophia looked at the arrow in the tree behind her and Arthur jogged back to join her.
"You okay?" Arthur asked.
"Yes. Thanks to you." She replied.
"They were searching for the bandits that attacked you yesterday." Arthur told her, motioning towards the guards. "Here." Arthur picked up Sophia's staff to give it to her.
"Don't touch that!" Sophia snapped, snatching the staff from his hands.
"I'm sorry." Arthur apologized, sounding slightly confused. "Maybe we should go back."
Sophia replaced her smile, and said, "It's fine. I- I'm sorry, I was upset. Now, don't let this spoil our day together. We were having such a nice time. Let's go down to the river."
"I'm taking you back to Camelot. Your father would never forgive me if I let anything happen to you." Arthur said, grabbing her shoulder and gently pushing her ahead. Sophia grimaced and sighed as she walked away.
Merlin entered the physician's chamber covered in tomato paste.
"Have you been playing with your food again?" Gaius jokingly asked. Alexia, who was there with a book, looked up to see Merlin.
Merlin gave him a look. "The King put me in the stocks." He said, walking towards the pitcher of water and bowl.
" I told you Merlin. But no, neither you nor Arthur listens!" Alexia fumed.
" Alexia!" Merlin called.
" What?" Alexia snapped.
" Why are you so angry at this whole ordeal?" He asked confused.
" Because, Merlin... nothing!" She said raising her arms in surrender.
How can she tell him that she knew her intentions. Alexia left the room.
"What'd you do this time?" Gaius asked.
"Nothing. Honestly, it wasn't my fault. Arthur wanted to get out of going on patrol with Uther and the guard, so I covered for him and took the blame. And for that, Alexia is angry. She already warned us not to. But..." As he talked Merlin poured water into the bowl and started to clean off his hair.
"And Arthur was prepared to let you do this?" Gaius questioned.
"It was his idea." Merlin replied.
"And what made him neglect his duties? It must've been something terribly important." Gaius wondered.
"Sophia." Merlin stated, with a big grin.
That answer stopped Gaius cold. "The girl from the forest?"
Merlin nodded, still wearing a large grin. "He wanted to take her out for the day. He is besotted."
"But they've only just met." Gaius said.
"I know. I guess it must have been love at first sight." Merlin grinned.
"Yes. I suppose it must be." Gaius replied, not sounding sure.
" Uh, do you you think this Sophia is reason for Alexia's anger. Erm.. like, maybe she is jealous..." Merlin trailed off.
Gaius gave him an odd look.
" Why shall she be?" Gaius asked.
Merlin sighed. For some reason he didn't want to say why he felt like that. That maybe, Alexia liked Arthur. But he quickly shook his head, getting rid of his thoughts.
In a different part of the castle, Gaius entered Sophia's room to snoop around. He catched a glimpse of Aulfric's staff and grabbed it to inspect it.
"Can I help?" Aulfric asked from behind him, making Gaius jump.
"Forgive me." Gaius replied, setting the staff down. "The door was open. I thought someone may have broken in."
"Looks like they have." Aulfric snapped. His eyes momentarily flashed a bright red.
Gaius bowed. "I apologize for imposing on you. It won't happen again." Gaius moved to leave.
"Make sure it doesn't."
Arthur and Sophia ride into the castle courtyard and dismounted their horses. Sophia started to walk away with a frown still on her face.
"You're sure you'll be alright?" Arthur asked.
Sophia forced a smile as she faced him. "Yes. Thank you for today." Sophia replied, and kissed Arthur's cheek. "Good night, Arthur."
In one of the castle corridors, Sophia turned a corner and bumped into Morgana.
"Sorry! Lady Morgana, isn't it? I'm Sophia." Sophia introduced herself, holding her hand out.
"What are you doing here?" Morgana asked coldly.
"My father and I are guests of the King." Sophia said, acting confused at Morgana's cold treatment.
"You're lying." Morgana exclaimed, and Sophia's smile fell. "I know what you're going to do to him, and I won't let it happen."
Sophia looked down at her staff. "Does Arthur know you feel this way about him? Of course he does. I suspect he's already turned you down."
"Don't think you can make a fool out of me." Morgana said regally.
"I won't have to. You're managing to do that well enough already." Sophia retorted.
"Stay away from him." Morgana ordered.
"Or what? Jealousy is such an unattractive trait in a woman." Sophia replied.
"If anything happens to Arthur, I'll find you. However long it takes." Morgana threatened before walking off. Sophia turned to watch her go, smirking slightly.
Sophia entered her own chambers, where her father was washing his hands.
"You've not been gone as long as I expected." Aulfric stated.
"We were interrupted." Sophia replied.
"What happened?" He questioned.
"I was nearly killed." Sophia informed him. Her look turned cold, and she continued, "For a moment, I felt what it would be like to die a mortal death. He saved me. Someone so weak, so feeble, saved me! I can't bear to be like this a moment longer."
"You won't have to. Once his heart is yours, the gates of Avalon will open once again for us and we can regain our true form."
Sophia held her head up higher. "I need a little more time."
"You must hurry. The physician can see us for what we truly are." Aulfric replied.
"And he is not alone." At her father's questioning look, she explained, "The Lady Morgana. She fears her powers, but that will not keep her quiet for long."
"Tomorrow, you have to finish the enchantment, otherwise our chance to rid us of these mortal shells will be lost forever."
In Arthur's chambers, Morgana watched as Arthur began to get ready for bed. "You seem very fond of her." Morgana stated worriedly.
"You make that sound like a bad thing." Arthur said, his voice sounding upbeat.
"Not necessarily." She hedged. "I've just never seen you fall under a woman's spell so quickly."
Arthur grinned. "If you're jealous, Morgana, it's ok to admit it."
"Don't flatter yourself." Morgana scoffed.
"Come on. It wouldn't be the first time now, would it?" Arthur said, sitting on the bed to take off his boots.
"Arthur, I'm trying to protect you! She isn't what she seems."
"Why? What makes you say that?" Arthur replied in an unbelieving tone.
"I just have a feeling. It's difficult to describe." She played with her hands before saying quietly. "I had a dream. A nightmare."
Arthur laughed. "You really are very sweet, Morgana."
"Why are you laughing?" Morgana replied angrily.
"You! Your feelings, bad dreams. You don't have to make this stuff up. You can tell me the truth. It's obvious you like me."
"Less and less by the second." Morgana retorted.
"All right. Whatever you say." Arthur grinned.
"You're intolerable. Just hope I'm wrong about her." She muttered in a dark tone before turning to walk out.
The next morning, Merlin and Alexia entered Arthur's chambers to find him already up. "You're dressed!" Merlin exclaimed.
"Nothing gets past you, does it, Merlin?" Arthur chuckled.
"What- You're supposed to be wearing these!" Merlin exclaimed, shaking the armor that he and Alexia were carrying. "Your father's bestowing a knighthood on one of your men this morning!" Alexia reminded him.
"I'm giving it a miss." Arthur replied.
"Won't the King mind?" Merlin questioned.
"Not if you, er, cover for me, again. By the way, thanks for yesterday, I heard you ended up in the stocks. Bad luck." Arthur grimaced.
"They were throwing potatoes at me. It's only supposed to be rotten fruit." Merlin complained.
Arthur chuckled. "I'm not sure there's any hard-and-fast rules, but if it's any consolation, I think it was worth it."
" Arthur!" Alexia exclaimed.
"What? It went well?" Merlin asked.
"Great. Fantastic. She's incredible." He said distractedly.
"Don't worry. We'll find a way to get you out of it." Merlin promised.
" I am not into this." Alexia quickly denied.
Arthur shrugged turned to leave. "Just make sure you don't end up in the stocks this time."
"I won't." Merlin called after him. "I think I'm starting to get the hang of this whole deception lark."
He glanced back to see Alexia glaring daggers at him.
Once again, Merlin was pelted with rotten food in the stocks.
Arthur and Sophia ran through the woods. "Wai- wait! Careful." Arthur called.
"Don't worry. I will be." She looked into his eyes, and chanted, "Túce hwón frec ðu, Arthur."
"What are you doing?" Arthur asked worriedly.
Sophia took Arthur's hand and looked into his eyes once more. "Þec feoh nom gyse. Cume morðor rice ær. Túce hwón frec ðu, Arthur.."
Sophia's eyes glowed red and then so do Arthur's.
Alexia was with Gaius.
" Gaius I don't believe this Sophia and her father. There is something about then Gaius. I feel something odd." Gaius sighed.
" I fear you may be right." He said showing her the page he was reading.
Merlin entered the physician's chambers once again covered in rotten food.
"Not again Merlin, surely?" Gaius said. disappointedly. Alexia glanced at him with a worried expression. This was not good.
"You would think that the appeal of pelting the same person with fruit would wear off after a while, but, oh, no!" Merlin complained, throwing his jacket down for emphasis.
"Alexia told me what all happened." He said.
"Yeah, he wanted to make the most of his time left with Sophia." Merlin said, starting to clean off his hair.
" And you helped him." Gaius said.
"I'm his servant, I had to." Merlin retorted.
" So am I!" Alexia snapped. Merlin looked at her.
"You shouldn't have done that, Merlin. I fear that Sophia may not be all that she seems." Gaius revealed.
"Why?" Merlin straightened up.
"What do you know about seers?" Gaius asked instead.
Merlin squinted his eyes against the sun, and thought. "Not much. They're supposed to be able to see the future, like prophets."
"It's said to be an innate ability. Those who have it are born that way. Some aren't even aware that what they see is the future. It comes to them in their dreams." Gaius made his way around the table and sat down.
"What's this got to do with Sophia?" Merlin asked.
"The night before she and Aulfric came to Camelot, Morgana had a dream. Sophia was in it." Alexia told him, as she and Gaius were already discussing this.
"Before she arrived in Camelot?" Merlin's eyebrows shot up. Alexia nodded.
"I've been watching Morgana since she was very young. And though I tried to persuade myself otherwise, I realized that some of the things she said she'd dreamt came to pass. I kept it secret from Uther, of course." Merlin nodded at this. "The gift of prophecy is too close to the work of magic."
"You think Morgana is a seer?" Merlin realised.
"I don't think it. I fear it. Morgana said she dreamt that Sophia killed Arthur." Merlin looked upset.
"Couldn't that have just been a dream? Maybe the- the woman Morgana saw just looked like Sophia." Merlin reasoned.
"That's what I hoped. But Aulfric caught me in Sophia's room and, in a flash of anger, his eyes changed color."
Merlin and Alexia gave him a concerned look. "Who are they?" He asked softly.
"It's not who they are that worries me." Gaius said. "It's what they want with Arthur."
In Arthur's chambers, Arthur sat on his bed clasping hands with Sophia, and staring blankly at her face.
"Our love is strong. You feel the same way, too. If we were ever to be parted..."
"I'd never let that happen." Arthur muttered.
"You may not have the choice. There are some here who don't want us to be together." Sophia said sweetly.
"I'll never let them come between us." Arthur muttered, his face still blank.
"Because we are in love." Sophia stated.
"Because we're in love." Arthur repeated.
"You must seek permission for us to marry... so that we can be together." Sophia said softly.
"Till death do us part."
Sophia grabbed his chin, and chanted softly, "Túce hwón frec ðu, Arthur." Sophia's eyes glowed red and she kissed Arthur.
"Till death do us part." She repeated in a hard tone.
Arthur's eyes glowed red and Sophia exited his chambers. Aulfric met Sophia outside Arthur's door.
"He's ready. Tomorrow he'll do what we need him to." Sophia informed him.
"Good, you have done well. I must go to the elders." Aulfric hurried off. Merlin and Alexia saw Aulfric as he turned the corner to Arthur's Chambers and followed him.
The pair followed Aulfric through the woods to the Lake of Avalon.
Standing before the lake, Aulfric yelled, "I seek an audience with the Sidhe elders! Dotiag-sa ar idbairt do denam!"
The lake began to glow, and lights began zipping across the surface of the water. With a flash of his eyes, Merlin slowed down time to see the lights are actually fairies flying over the lake. In the lake, they saw a whole other world. Alexia was gaping at the glistening world and beauty.
"I come before you to plead for the chance to win passage back to Avalon and a life of immortality!" Aulfric cried.
One of the Sidhe hovered in front of Aulfric's face. "Your punishment for killing another Sidhe is a mortal body and a mortal life. You will never be able to return to Avalon."
"The crime was mine, not my daughter's." Aulfric begged.
"The gates of Avalon remain closed to your daughter. Unless the soul of a mortal prince be offered up to them." The Sidhe stated.
Aulfric smiled gratefully. "Thank you. An immortal life for my daughter is all that I desire, so I promise you the soul of the greatest prince of all. Arthur Pendragon!" Alexia gasped at this.
The Sidhe all flied back into the lake while Merlin and Alexia watched, stunned. Once all of the Sidhe are gone, the glow of the lake dimmed until it looked like normal water. Aulfric started laughing loudly, he stopped laughing and turned, and Merlin and Alexia quickly hid behind a tree, forcing time back to its normal speed.
Back in the physician's chambers, Merlin and Alexia told Gaius what they had seen. "Avalon. What you saw at the lake, it's Avalon. It must be." Gaius exclaimed.
Out of breath, Merlin huffed and managed, "What's..."
"The land of eternal youth. Mortals are only supposed to glimpse it the moment before death." Gaius said.
"Well, we've seen it and we're still here." Alexia reminded him.
"Extraordinary. What did it look like?" Gaius asked, excited.
Merlin gave him an unbelieving look. "Does it matter? They're going to sacrifice Arthur and we don't even know who 'they' are yet."
"We do now." Gaius said, hurrying to a book on one of the tables. "I found writing like this on the top of Aulfric's staff. It's Ogham, an ancient script. Abas ocus bithe. Duthectad bithlane. 'To hold life and death in your hands.' From the writing on his staff and what you saw at the lake, I'm afraid I'm now certain. We're dealing with the Sidhe."
"That does not sound like a good thing."
"They're masters of enchantment." Gaius revealed.
"You think Arthur's been enchanted?" Merlin asked.
Gaius nodded. "Almost certainly. I'm afraid Morgana's dream is coming true."
" We can't let this happen." Alexia murmured.
In the council chambers, Arthur stood with Sophia before Uther.
"I request this audience, Father, to discuss a matter of great importance." Uther looked up from papers in his hands. "It cannot have escaped your attention that I and Lady Sophia Tír-Mòr have grown very close."
"Not too close, I hope." Uther smiled.
"We're in love." Arthur revealed. "Which is why I come before you today to ask your permission to marry."
Uther laughed. "I assume you're joking."
"No. I'm going to marry her." Arthur said firmly.
"But you only met two days ago." Uther reminded him.
"We're in love." Arthur stated seriously.
"In love? We had no idea that you were such a romantic, had we, Morgana?" Uther laughed, turning to Morgana, who was sitting on the throne next to him.
"No, he's full of surprises." Morgana replied, looking nervous for Arthur.
"I'm going to marry her. I don't care what either of you think about it." Arthur said.
"I thought you'd come to ask my permission?" Uther asked, messing with the papers in his hands.
"Out of courtesy, nothing more." Arthur said, and he took Sophia's hand, walking towards the door.
"Guards, door." The guards crossed their blades in front of the door, and Uther handed off the papers in his hand to one of the councilmen. "You've forgotten whose court you're standing in."
"You won't stop me. If I want to marry her, I will." Arthur stated.
"Arrest Sophia and Aulfric Tír-Mòr." Uther ordered. The guards stepped forward.
"What are you doing?" Arthur asked incredulously.
"And inform the executioner his services will be required tomorrow morning."
"You can't do this." Arthur argued.
"Yes, I can," Uther said through his teeth, "and unless you show me some respect, I will!"
The two had a short staring match before Arthur bowed his head.
"Release them." Uther ordered, and the guards stepped back. "You've got your whole life ahead of you. Sophia is no doubt your first love, but she certainly won't be the only one. Enjoy yourself while you can." Arthur bowed with a glare, and turned to walk out.
Morgana followed Uther through the castle corridor lining the courtyard. "You're not planning on springing any surprises on me, are you?" Uther asked.
"Don't you think you should be taking this a bit more seriously?"
"He's young, foolish and in love. Give it a week and he'll be chasing after the next girl that catches his eye." Uther replied lightly.
"Sophia will never let that happen." Morgana replied in a harsh tone.
"Do you bear a grudge against our guest?" Uther asked.
"There's something about her I don't trust. You've seen the way Arthur changed since she's arrived."
"He's a fool in love." Uther dismissed.
"She's dangerous." Morgana replied.
"Dangerous? To who?"
"Arthur."
"Why do you say that?" Uther asked, looking down at the papers.
Morgana looked straight ahead. "I just have a sense, a feeling."
"And what has she done to make you have this feeling?" Uther questioned.
"Nothing, yet. It's what she's going to do. I don't know how to tell you this."
Uther stopped in the corridor and faces her. "Try. Whatever it is, you can tell me."
Morgana stared at him for a moment before she said, "I've just seen girls like this before. They string men along and then drop them. I don't want to see him get hurt."
"I know you want to protect him, but some lessons we have to learn for ourselves." Uther said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "He'll hurt for a week and then Sophia will be forgotten."
"I hope so."
"Are you sure there's nothing else behind this?" Uther asked.
"Yes, it's nothing." Morgana replied.
In his chambers, Arthur stuffed clothes into his traveling bag, wearing his chainmail and armor. He looked up when Merlin and Alexia entered.
"Get out." Arthur ordered.
"I thought the King was a bit harsh." Merlin said.
"I don't need sympathy, Merlin, especially not from you."
"But I did think he had a point." Merlin finished.
"I ordered you to get out. Now leave me!" Arthur sneered.
"I know what you think you're doing, and I know you think you're in love with Sophia..." Alexia said.
"Who are you to tell me what I'm thinking? You have already defied my orders twice in past two days." Arthur yelled.
"We're your friend." Alexia and Merlin said quietly.
Arthur scoffed. "No, Merlin, Alexia, you're my servants."
A hurt look crossed their face, and they had to swallow before Merlin continued, "You don't know what you're doing. She's cast a spell on you. You're enchanted."
"I told you people would try to keep us apart." Sophia said from behind them.
"I know. I won't let that happen." Arthur replied.
"Look, don't listen to her, she's controlling you." Alexia argued.
Arthur turned to look at her and glared.
"We can elope together. Get away from this place, these people." Sophia said urgently.
"I saw you. We followed him." Merlin said over his shoulder to Arthur. "They're planning to sacrifice you."
Aulfric laughed haughtily. "You let your servant talk to your guests this way?"
"I know what you're going to do, because I followed you to the lake and I heard everything. You have to believe me." Merlin exclaimed, turning to Arthur.
" Please Arthur!" Alexia begged.
Arthur's face cleared slightly, his confused look showed that his trust for Merlin and Alexia was interfering with the enchantment.
"Don't listen to him, Arthur. Let's go. Let's leave tonight." Sophia said.
"She's going to kill you. Sophia plans to sacrifice you to buy a life of immortality. If you go with her, you'll die." Alexia tried again.
" We saw it with our eyes Arthur." Merlin said.
Arthur shook his head, confused. "It- it doesn't make sense. We're-we're in love." He argued weakly.
"They're magical beings!" Alexia yelled. "Look at the writing on the staff." Merlin reached for it. Aulfric pulled it away and his eyes glowed red.
Merlin's and Alexia's eyes widened, but Merlin continued, "Look at his eyes. Look at him. Do you believe me now? Arthur, do you see?"
Arthur turned around, his eyes glowing red. "I see everything." He said in a harsh tone.
" Arthur! Snap out if it! She is trying to murder you!" Alexia yelled. Arthur turned to her bolting towards her grabbing her throat. Alexia's eyes widened.
" Alexia!" Merlin exclaimed.
" Don't dare talk about her like that!" Arthur warned.
Tried to get free from his grip.
Merlin lunged toward Aulfric, but Aulfric aimed his staff at Merlin and yelled. "Na þing biþ!"
A bolt of blue energy hit Merlin square in the chest and threw against the wall, knocking him unconscious.
Alexia's eyes widened. Her vision started to blur, her throat choked. She lost her vision and fainted.
Arthur left her.
A little while later, Morgana looked out her window and saw Arthur leaving the Square with Sophia and Aulfric.
With a terrified gasp, Morgana ran to the physician's chambers. "He's gone! Arthur's gone with her! She's taken him!" Morgana exclaimed panicked.
"Slow down." Gaius soothed.
"I know you don't believe me, but I'm so sure it's going to happen. My dream's going to come true." She sounded scared.
"I do believe you." Gaius assured her.
"I've got to tell Uther."
"You can't." Gaius argued.
Morgana looked panicked. "I've got to do something, if I don't then Arthur will die."
"You can't tell Uther about your dream. If Uther thinks you've got the seers' power, he'll charge you with witchcraft." Gaius said.
"I don't have a choice. I couldn't live with myself knowing I'd let him die." Morgana said sadly.
"Wait. We've known each other a long time, you trust me don't you?" Gaius asked.
"Yes, you know I do." Morgana nodded.
"Then trust me now. Stay here and don't say a word to anyone about this." Gaius ordered.
"But Arthur..."
Gaius held up a hand to silence her. "I'll take care of it." He started walking away
"Where are you going?" Morgana asked desperately.
"To find someone who can help." Gaius told her before pulling the door shut.
Arthur walked through the woods with Sophia and Aulfric, his eyes still glowing red.
Gaius entered Arthur's chambers just as Merlin was just coming around.
"Merlin! What happened to you?" Gaius exclaimed, rushing to his side.
"Aulfric." Merlin mumbled. "Where's Arthur? Alexia? I have got to go after him. What's that buzzing noise?"
Alexia coughed, before waking up.
Gaius glanced at her. He helped Merlin to stand. "Careful, Merlin, you can barely stand up." He cautioned.
"I have to go." Merlin muttered, still out of it.
Gaius then helped Alexia.
"You can't, not in this state." Gaius said while helping Alexia. "You owe it to your powers that you both survived this at all."
"I'll be fine, he needs me." Merlin replied.
"Has that buzzing stopped?" Gaius asked.
"Yeah." Merlin lied.
"Liar."
"I have to go, Gaius. He'll die if I don't." Merlin said desperately.
" I... " she started in a hoarse voice, before cleaning her throat. " I will go with him Gaius." Alexia said rubbing her throat.
"The Sidhe are a vicious people. You must be careful." Gaius warned them.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Merlin grinned, and walked towards the window.
Alexia held his arm.
"Merlin?" Merlin stopped and Alexia pointed to the door. "This way."
"Just testing." He said, and they ran out.
Merlin and Alexia ran through the forest in an attempt to reach Arthur.
At the lake of Avalon, Aulfric and Sophia stood at the shore, while Arthur just stared with a blank expression. "Go. They are waiting for you." Aulfric told her
"I don't understand. You're coming too." Sophia argued.
"Only one of us can pass through. This was never meant for me." He revealed.
"I only wanted this so we could both return to Avalon." Sophia cried.
"Your destiny is on a different path to mine. It is my fate to live a mortal life."
"I don't want to leave you." She sobbed.
"You must. Once the ceremony begins you have to go through with it. The elders expect a soul. If they don't get his they will take yours."
"Goodbye." She said, and hugged her father. "I will never forget you."
Sophia took Arthur's hand and lead him into the lake. Merlin and Alexia continued running.
Aulfric began to chant. "Ia bend dǽdon níwe. Cúðon gare íewe deahl sǽ áre. Sé áre. Ig bæþ deahl sǽ néah. Déaþ ór cwylþ óga him."
Merlin tripped in the woods, Alexia help him and they kept running.
"An 'wén. Flíete á. Dómdæg. Déaþ ór cwylþ óga him. An 'wén. Flíete á."
Sophia kissed Arthur.
"Dómdæg. Déaþ ór cwylþ óga him. An 'wén. Flíete á. Dómdæg. Déaþ ór cwylþ óga him, Arthur Pendragon."
Sophia pushed him, and Arthur fell backwards into the water. Merlin and Alexia kept running.
Aulfric kept incanting. "Ia bend dǽdon níwe. Cúðon gare íewe deahl sǽ néah. Sé áre. Ig bæþ deahl sǽ néah. An 'wén. Flíete á. Dómdæg. Déaþ ór cwylþ óga him."
Merlin arrived and saw Aulfric and Sophia's staff on the ground.
"Onbregdan." He chanted.
The staff flied into Merlin's hand. Merlin pointed it at Aulfric. "Swilte, gold beorþ."
A bolt of light hit Aulfric and he exploded.
"Father! No! No!" Sophia shrieked as she tried to run to the shore. Alexia raised her arm to stop her. She freezed. Merlin quickly pointed the staff at her.
"Óga ceoles."
A bolt of light hit Sophia and she exploded. Merlin took his jacket off as he ran into the water. Alexia just behind him but she didn't entered in water.
"Arthur! Arthur! Arthur!" Merlin called. He searched through the water, diving under several times, looking for him.
Merlin finally found Arthur under the water and brought him to the surface. Merlin held his unconscious form up while he catched his breath.
He finally arrived at the shore.
Alexia sighed and ran to them. Holding the two staffs of Sophia and her father. They finally returned.
Back in Camelot, Merlin and Gaius satt at Arthur's bedside, while Alexia stood near the end of bed waiting for him to wake. Arthur groaned.
Gaius and Merlin exchanged glances. "Arthur?"
"What happened? Where am I?" Arthur muttered.
"Can you remember anything?" Merlin asked softly.
Arthur sat up in his bed. "Ow! Oh, my head! There was a girl. Sophia, she...I asked my father something about her, I asked him..."
Arthur bolted up in bed. "What was I thinking?" He exclaimed.
"Well, we did wonder. Especially when you eloped with her last night." Merlin said.
"I did what?" Arthur exclaimed.
"Merlin had to bring you back to Camelot." Gaius added.
"I don't recall any of this."
"Must've been some blow." Gaius muttered to Melrin.
"What blow?" Arthur asked, exasperated.
"Well, er, when I caught up with you, I couldn't persuade you to return, you were beyond reason. So I had to make you." Merlin explained.
"You managed to knock me out?" Arthur asked, unbelieving.
"Yep. With a lump of wood." Merlin said, trying not to laugh.
"He only did it to bring you back safely." Gaius added.
Arthur lunged towards them and pointed. "No one can know about this. Any of it. Is that understood?"
Merlin and Gaius look at each other and then nodded. Arthur fell back on his pillows with a groan. He opened his eyes to see Alexia standing near the pillar, glancing at him.
" Why are you standing there?" He asked.
Alexia turned her face away.
" I must complete the chores." She said and exited the room.
" What happened?" Arthur asked.
Merlin looked at him.
" Uh..." He started.
" It appears that you, sire, tried to attack Alexia when she was stopping you." Gaius said. Arthur's eyes widened.
" I did what?" He yelled. He groaned.
" You can apologize after she comes back." Merlin suggested.
Arthur nodded.
In the council chambers, Arthur stood before the court while Uther paced in front of him.
"When you failed to show up for patrol this morning, I feared you'd eloped with Sophia in a fit of passion." Uther said.
Arthur turned to Merlin. But this time Alexia stood forward. "I am sorry sire, but I forgot to inform you that the prince wished to go for hunting today morning. I apologise for the mistake I committed." Alexia said bowing her head all the time as she spoke.
Uther shook his head.
" This thing can't go unnoticed. I hope the prince will order a suitable punishment for this." Uther said.
" Oh don't worry he already did more than that." Alexia muttered to herself, but Arthur heard it.
After the meeting was over, Alexia and Merlin exited the room. Alexia went to Arthur's chambers, where he stood by the window.
" Sire! I am here for the 'suitable punishment' of my 'supposed mistakes'" Alexia said sarcastically.
" You know I won't do anything." Arthur said.
" Then why did you send Merlin to fetch ne?" She asked.
" To apologise. Well, you see, whatever happened but I was not right to attack you. Uh.. I.. I hope that things can get back to normal." He said.
" Wow! You could have said just three words but you chose to form a whole speech but never included sorry in that!" She said amused.
Arthur glared at her. She stared laughing and soon Arthur joined her.
Later that night, Gaius, Alexia and Merlin were sitting down to eat when Morgana knocked and entered.
"Morgana." Gaius called in welcome.
"I've had some troubled nights." She admitted.
"I prepared another draught for you. Have the dreams stopped?" Gaius asked.
Morgana shook her head. "Arthur told me what actually happened. You must've hit him round the head really hard."
"Yeah. I feel really bad about that." Merlin said, unconvincingly. Alexia smiled.
"Here you are." Gaius said, handing her the bottle. "Remember, every night just before you go to sleep."
"Thank you, Gaius." Morgana smiled, before she walked out.
"She must never find out the truth." Gaius said once she was gone.
"Why not? She had a premonition that helped save Arthur's life." Merlin replied.
"And it could've cost her her own. If Uther ever found out, things would never be the same again. It must remain a secret."
"Is she like us? Can she use magic?" He asked quietly.
"No one's like you both." Gaius replied.
Merlin laughed softly. "But she has the gift?"
"For her sake, I hope not." Gaius said.
That night, Morgana woke up breathless from another nightmare.