To kill the king
In the lower town, Tom pushed a cart playfully down the street and sneaked up behind the carpet that Gwen was beating. He popped his head over the clothes line on which the carpet was hung."Boo!" He boomed, scaring her.
"Oh!" Gwen gasped holding her hand to her chest.
"Did I surprise you?" He asked playfully.
"You certainly did!" She exclaimed.
He smiled at her.
"I've got another surprise for you, too."
He said, giving Gwen a small, wrapped cloth. He then moved away from there, Gwen following him while opening the small package, revealing a fancy button.
"It's...lovely." Gwen said studying the button.
"Well, in case you ever need a spare. You know...for this..." Tom said, holding up a colourful dress.
"It's beautiful!" Gwen said, taking the dress, looking at it.
"Well, you're a beautiful girl, Gwen. You deserve beautiful things." Tom told her softly.
"But how? I mean...it must have been expensive." Gwen asked, totally baffled.
"Oh, very. But we're on the up now. Things are going to be different." He told her with a bright smile.
"What's going on?" She asked.
"It'll be all right. Trust me." He said. Ane then kissed her cheek.
"I won't be back for supper." He said while leaving.
Gwen stared her leaving father.
In palace, Alexia walked through the castle corridors. Smiling and greeting everyone she met. Her eyes fell on the Merlin, who was helping another servant. Beaming at the scene, Alexia moved towards the secret warlock.
"Here, it's done." He said placing the last piece of cloth on the pile.
The servant thanked him before he left. Alexia greeted the servant with a smile as she passed before standing in front of Merlin.
"You are truly a kind soul Merlin." Alexia said with a smile.
Merlin smiled back.
"He just needed some help." He shrugged.
"Yeah, he did." She said looking at him with a dazed expression. Merlin looked at her a bit confused.
"Alexia!" He called breaking her trance.
"I think we must leave for Arthur's chambers. He might need us." He said.
Alexia looked down at ground before nodding. Merlin nodded too, and then left the place. Alexia looked at his retreating figure, with slight pink on her cheeks. Shaking her head, she followed him.
The day passed and night arrived, in his forge room, Tom worked at his forge. He suddenly heard a lot of wind rustling.
"Hello?" Tom called.
A man appeared before Tom, hooded and cloaked.
"Is it prepared?" He asked.
"Yes, look." Tom said showing his work.
The man approached the forge and pulled down his hood, looking at the melted lead.
"Very good." He commented, pulling out a stone with silver claws around it.
"What is that?" Tom asked.
"I'm not paying you to ask questions. The lead, please." The man said.
Tom took the lead off the forge and poured it into a mould. The man held the stone over the lead and the stone glowed.
Merlin and Alexia woke up in their chambers. They sat up and looked around. But were more than confused when found nothing.
"What was it?" Alexia said.
Merlin shook his head telling he was unaware.
"Afæren æt gylden..." The man chanted holding out the stone.
"You didn't say anything about magic! I don't want any trouble!" Tom whispered cutting in. But the man continued to chant, "...I búgan þéos... áfæren æt gylden"
The lead turned to gold.
"Gold?" Tom asked shocked.
"Pure, priceless gold." The man said.
Tom drenched the gold and it steamed. He held up the lump of gold.
"Yours, blacksmith. If you keep your mouth shut." The man said. But before anything else could be said, Arthur burst in with the guards.
The man quickly made a run.
"Seize him!" Arthur commanded.
"Yes, sir." The gaurd said following the man.
"Quickly, after him!" He said.
The man tossed the heated materials in the water, creating a smoke screen. He knocked over a table and droppedthe leather bag with the stone in it.
"Stop!" The gaurd yelled.
"He must be caught!" Arthur yelled from behind.
"Stop that man!" The gaurd yelled.
A pair of guards stayed behind, restraining Tom. Arthur turned around and moved to Tom. He took the gold from him.
"Sire, please..." Tom pleaded.
"You're under arrest." Arthur said leaving.
In Gaius's chambers, Merlin and Alexia emerged from their chambers.
"Can't sleep?" Gaius asked.
"Something woke us." Merlin told his mentor.
"What?" Gaius asked looking up from his work.
"I don't know. A feeling." Merlin said. Alexia looked thoughtful.
"What kind of feeling?" Gaius asked.
"Powerful magic, here, in Camelot." Alexia said.
Before Gaius could say anything, Gwen ran into the Physician's Chambers.
"Gwen. What's wrong?" Alexia asked the distressed girl.
"My father's been arrested." She said panting.
"Arrested? What for?" Merlin asked.
"They say he was making weapons for a sorcerer! They're charging him with treason!" Gwen told them. Alexia realised the scene. Tauren. He was here. The mage stone, they felt it's power.
The scene shifted, to the royal chambers.
"Treason?" Morgana asked, shocked.
"Yes, Morgana, treason. The blacksmith was consorting with a known enemy." Uther said.
"Enemy? What enemy?" Morgana asked.
"Tauren. The leader of a band of renegade sorcerers sworn to bring down the King." Arthur replied her.
"And where is this Tauren now?" She asked.
"He escaped." Arthur said.
"Well, then how can you be sure?" Morgana asked.
"Because Arthur saw him with his own eyes." Uther said.
"Well, even if the man is who you say he is, you can't sentence Tom to death for just being seen with him!" Morgana exclaimed.
"We have reason to believe he was forging weapons for Tauren." Uther stated.
"Rubbish! He would never do such a thing." Morgana said.
"Every man has a price." Uther told her.
Arthur slided the lump of gold across the table.
"Found this on the blacksmith."
"So he was paid! He's a blacksmith. He could've been paid for shoeing Tauren's horse!" Morgana said.
"In gold?" Uther asked, in tone as if proving his point.
"This is madness! You condemn a man with no proof!" Morgana exclaimed.
"I have enough proof." Uther said firmly.
"Arthur! Have you nothing to say?" Morgana asked turning to him.
"Father, the blacksmith committed a crime, but we don't know for certain he meant treason." Arthur tried.
"No. You're right. Nothing's certain. Save one thing. The law stands or this kingdom falls." Uther said.
"But the law must give him a fair trial!" Morgana said.
"He'll get a fair trial, and he'll be found guilty, 'cause that's what he is." Uther said, believing his words.
"You execute Gwen's father, and I will never forgive you. Never." Morgana said coldly, before storming out of the room.
"Maybe we should investigate further."
Arthur suggested. Uther ignored him
"Tauren slept somewhere, he fed somewhere. Find anyone who helped him in any way. They must be punished. The people must see the laws of Camelot are not to be trifled with." Uther stated, leaving the room.
"Yes, Father." Arthur said turning back.
In the dungeons, Gwen visited her father's cell.
"I didn't know Tauren was a sorcerer. I meant no harm, I swear." Tom told her daughter.
"Why didn't you tell me what was going on?" Gwen asked.
"I knew you wouldn't like it, Gwen. You're cautious. I didn't want to let an opportunity pass..." Tom explained.
"Opportunity? You call this an opportunity?" Gwen asked shocked, suppressing her tears.
"I know. I've been a fool." He said sighing. "I just wanted to make a better life for us. For you. I wanted to make you happy." He said.
"But I am happy! I don't need anything else. I have everything I want." Gwen said.
"And I've thrown it all away!" Tom said, guiltily.
"It's all right. We will get you out of here, I promise." Gwen promised, before she walked away from the bars to where Merlin, Alexia and Gaius were waiting.
"What did he say?" Merlin asked.
"He said Tauren came to him at the forge, offered to pay him a fortune for his help, not to make weapons, for an experiment or something." Gwen told them.
"What kind of experiment?" Alexia asked.
"Tauren didn't say. But he used some kind of stone... some kind of magic."
Alexia exited Merlin's Chamber.
"She's sleeping now." Alexia said with a sigh.
"I don't understand it. What would a sorcerer want with Tom?"
"His forge, Merlin. It's the finest in the kingdom." Gaius told him.
"You think Tom was lying? You think he really was making weapons?" Merlin asked.
"No. No way." Alexia said quickly.
"Then what?" Merlin asked.
"When Tom was arrested, they found gold on him." Gaius told them.
"So?" Merlin asked.
"And from what Gwen was saying, Tauren's experiment bears all the hallmarks of alchemy." Gaius told them.
"But alchemy's impossible, isn't it?" Merlin asked
"To change the very nature of one thing to another has defeated all who have tried. But if you used magic..." Gaius trailed off.
"Do you think that's what woke us?" Merlin asked.
"It is possible, I suppose." Gaius said.
In morning, Morgana walked to Gwen's home.
"Gwen? Gwen?" Morgana called.
When she didn't find her there, she walked to Tom's forge.
"Gwen?" She called again.
Her eyes fell on the leather bag on the floor of the forge. She picked it up, and pulled out the stone, it glowed in her hands.
Merlin and Alexia sensed it as Merlin sat straight in the chair in his chamber, while Alexia dropped the laundry she was holding. She quickly gathered them back and ran.
Morgana took the stone to her chambers and put it in a fancy box.
Morgana entered Merlin's Chamber.
"Merlin." She called.
"Morgana." Merlin replied.
Morgana looked at Gwen sleeping on the bed.
"How is she?" She asked.
"She's doing OK." Merlin told her.
"We should let her rest." Morgana said.
"Yeah." Merlin whispered agreeing.
They exited the chambers.
"Morgana, have you spoken to Uther? He must realise this is a mistake. Whatever Tom was doing, it wasn't plotting against the King." Merlin said.
"I know that. Of course I do. But Uther... Uther only sees enemies." Morgana said.
"But Tom is the most gentle soul I've ever met." Merlin said.
"But he was seen with Tauren, and that makes him an enemy." Morgana said as she turned to leave.
"Then..." Merlin called from behind.
Morgana stopped to face him.
"...there's little hope?" He asked.
"There's no hope, Merlin. None at all." Morgana said and left.
Alexia entered after few seconds.
"What was Morgana doing here?" She asked.
"She came to see Gwen." Merlin told her.
"Did you feel it earlier?" Alexia asked.
Merlin nodded.
"It was powerful." He said. Alexia just looked at him.
Morgana entered Arthur's chambers.
"Arthur?" She called.
Recieving no reply, she walked over to the bureau and searched for a key.
Then Morgana visited Tom.
"I bring you no relief, Tom. I'm sorry. I came only to see you were comfortable." Morgana apologized.
"How's Gwen?" Tom asked.
"She's a brave girl. She wishes only to see you free." Morgana said.
"I know what Uther thinks about sorcery. I'm a dead man, aren't I?" Tom said.
"I cannot see the future, only the present, and one must always seize the moment." Morgana said.
She then handed him the key through the bars.
"Good luck." She said before leaving.
Alexia sat in her room, confusion evident in her eyes. Was she forgetting something? She was. Suddenly, the memory hit her. Tom was going to die. She has to stop it.
She quickly rose to her feet. Leaving the room. As she crossed the square she saw Merlin and Arthur. They were looking at the executioner and some guards as they escorted some men into the square. She moved towards the boys.
"They're to be executed?" Merlin asked.
"Yes, Merlin." Arthur told her.
"By order of the King?" Merlin asked again.
"They committed a serious crime." Arthur told him.
"Giving a man a bed for the night?" Merlin exclaimed shocked.
"Not a man. A sorcerer." Arthur told him.
"Maybe they didn't know that." Merlin said.
"It is not for you to question my father's actions. Is that understood?" Arthur warned him
"Why?" Alexia asked from behind.
"He... he is wrong to do so." Alexia said. Merlin and Arthur both looked at bit surprised.
"You are speaking treason." Arthur reminded her.
"I don't bloody damn care." She said. now they were quite shocked. They never heard Alexia speaking such words. "He is doing wrong. And I can't accept it. If treason is a thing then I must remind you that you didn't kill Will." Alexia told him.
"He is not under the rules of Camelot." He retorted.
"And you didn't turn me to king when the unicorn healed me. If they are getting executed, so must I." Alexia said angrily.
"Alexia!" Both Merlin and Arthur yelled.
She just ignored their yells and gave them an angry glare.
"I can't wrap my head around that you can believe your father is right condemning the innocents to death. Because I don't believe so." She snapped and left.
Alexia entered Gaius's chambers and slumped to a nearby chair. She glanced around and started searching for something. Finally finding the bottle, she gulped the contents.
"I just wish this tonic relieves my headache." She said before placing the bottle back. But soon she felt dizzy.
She frowned before picking up the bottle and gasped as she realised that it was a sleeping draught. How could she be so stupid. Getting up, she tried to leave to warn Tom, before falling back and drifted asleep.
Merlin entered the room and saw Alexia slumped on the chair with her head on the table. He frowned and tried to wake her, she just responded in a groan.
Gaius arrived at the moment and looked at them.
"What happened?" He asked.
Merlin shrugged. Gaius came near the table and saw the empty bottle. He examined the little bit of left overs before frowning.
"Why did she consume sleeping draft?" He mused.
Merlin sighed in relief as he knew it was just a sleeping draught.
Night arrived, Tom lied awake in his cell that night. He pretended to be asleep when the guard came by, then quickly got up. He used the key to escape and sneaked through the dungeon tunnels, but the guard checked his cell again.
"Sound the warning bell!" The gaurd yelled.
Tom knocked out a guard who was closing a dungeon gate. He then took his sword and the warning bell tolled.
Uther and Arthur entered the Council Chamber of Doom.
"He's just proved his guilt. You will kill him on sight." Uther ordered.
"But the trial, Father!" Arthur asked.
"The trial is a formality. Now I want him dead. And an end to it." Uther told his son.
Meanwhile Tom tried to sneak up the Wrought Iron Stairway, but guards came down and surrounded him on all sides. He dropped his sword.
"Please..." He pleaded.
Tom went to his knees with his hands in the air.
"Kill him." The gaurd said.
And the Swords run him through.
Next day, Gwen's wail echoed in the Square.
"Nooooooo...!" She cried.
She ran down the steps to her father's body, which was being carried off on a cart by a pair of guards. Morgana watched from a window above.
"No, Father!!! No, Father!!!" She cried.
In her chambers, Alexia woke up. She groaned holding her head. It was worse.
Merlin rushed to her.
"You are awake." He said.
"What happened?" She asked.
"You consumed a sleeping draught." Said Gaius entering from behind. Alexia's eyes widened.
"Now may I ask.."
Alexia cut him off.
"Gwen's father?" She asked.
Gaius and Merlin looked at each other but remained silent.
Alexia burst into tears.
Morgana waited for guards to open the doors and she stormed in.
"You have blood on your hands, Uther Pendragon! Blood that will never wash off!" Morgana said entering.
"May I remind you that you're speaking to your King." Uther said.
"May I remind you that a king is wise and just. You are neither. You rule only with the sword." Morgana retorted.
"You know nothing of what it means to be King. The fate of Camelot rests in my hands. It's my responsibility to protect the people of this land from its enemies." Uther told her.
"Then the kingdom is doomed! For one by one you make enemies of us all!" Morgana exclaimed.
"You speak treason, Morgana." Uther said.
"Only a mad man hears the truth as treason." Morgana told him.
"Take care, child, or I'll have you restrained." Uther warned.
"You just try." She challenged.
Morgana was dragged into a large prison cell by some guards and chained to the wall.
"And you will remain here until you learn your lesson." Uther said.
"Then release me because I've learned it already! That you care not for me, or anyone but yourself! That you're driven mad with power! That you're a tyrant!" Shouted Morgana.
Gwen sat on the bed in Merlin's Chamber, staring off into space. Merlin and Alexia entered. Alexia's eyes were red and puffy.
"All right?" Merlin asked.
"I just don't understand. Why did he try to escape? His trial was this morning." Gwen said.
"I am sorry." Alexia whispered looking down.
"It's not your fault?" Gwen told her moving towards her.
"No it is. I could have saved him." Alexia whispered looking at the floor as the tears dropped on the floor.
Before Gwen could say anything, someone knocked on the door. The door opened to reveal Arthur. He looked at the scene infront of him. Alexia standing there with her head down and Gwen looking at her.
She looked towards him.
"Sire." She courtisied.
"Guinevere, I...want you to know that your job is safe. And that your home is yours for life. I guarantee you that. I know that under the circumstances it's not much but, erm, anything you want, anything you need, all you have to do is ask." He told her. Alexia looked up at him. And Arthur was surprised to see her eyes red.
He dismissed the thought and began to leave but paused and turned back around.
"I'm sorry." He said.
"Thank you, Sire." Gwen said.
He left.
Alexia quickly left behind him. But she definitely didn't followed him.
Leaving the chambers, she went to the dungeons and then to dragon's cave.
She entered there.
The great dragon flew to her.
"What is it young witch?" He asked.
"I murdered an innocent." She said.
At this the dragon looked shocked.
"This can't be possible young witch. Now tell me what happened?" He asked. Alexia cried as she sat down on the stones.
"I knew he would escape. I knew he would get caught and killed. I could have prevented it, but I stupidly consumed a sleeping draught thinking it to be a headache potion. I could have saved him Kilgharrah!" Alexia cried.
The great dragon sighed.
"It was not your fault young witch..." He started.
"No it was!" Alexia cut him off.
He ignored her.
"Sometimes a man is destined to die. It is all written in one's fate." He said.
Alexia looked up.
"It means I won't be able to change people's death? But I saved sir Ewan!" She exclaimed.
"Yes you did young witch. Because it was not his time to leave. You must remember you won't be able to save everyone." He told her.
Alexia frowned.
"Then why am I here?" She yelled.
"If I can't save people." She said.
"You saved many people young witch. But this time, destiny had to take control. You must understand that you can't prevent everyone's death, as death is something which is true and constant." He said.
"It means I won't be able to save Arthur?" She whispered.
"I won't save mordred or Morgana?" She asked again.
"That is for you to find out. Its true that you must remember that you can't change everything, but you must try to prevent anything bad. And if something happens, you must not blame yourself." He said.
"But..." She started.
"You must go back Alexia. Your friend needs you." He said before flying back.
Alexia just stared at him before leaving.
Gwen walked home from the palace. She paused to take her dress off of the clothes line before going inside. Tauren stepped out from the shadows and grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth.
"I want the stone! Where is it?" He whispered.
Gwen tried to shake her head, Tauren lifted his hand from her mouth.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know anything about..."
Tauren clamped his hand back over her mouth.
"Now you listen to me. In two days' time, I'll be at the Darkling Woods at dawn. You find the stone, you bring it to me, or you will die. Now, do I make myself clear?"
"Mm-hmm!" She muffled and nodded.
Alexia entered the physician's chambers.
Gaius looked up from his work.
"Where were you Alexia?" He asked.
"I was just.. clearing my mind." She replied before going inside her's.
As she entered the chambers, her eyes went to Merlin who was laying on his bed, looking at the ceiling.
"Merlin." Alexia called softly.
Merlin looked at her and sat up with a jerk.
"Alexia." He said, relieved a bit.
Alexia went to him, sitting beside him.
"I am sorry." She said.
Merlin glanced at her. He placed his hand upon her's.
"It wasn't your fault." He said softly.
Alexia nodded.
"Calm down okay? Gwen needs you." He continued.
Alexia nodded again. She gave Merlin a small smile before moving forward to hug him. He returned the hug by embracing her.
Alexia closed her eyes slowly, letting in the feeling.
After few moments, the pair of the two magicians left the chambers. They saw Gaius flipping through a book.
"Merlin, Alexia, come and take a look. I've been doing some research and found this." He said.
They moved towards him.
"The Mage Stone?" Merlin asked.
"Wonder of the ancients. Lost for a thousand years or more." Gaius told them.
"What does it do?" Alexia asked looking up from the page.
"Theoretically, it could give the bearer the power of transformation." He informed.
"Gold. The power of alchemy." Merlin realised.
"Exactly. I believe it was the Mage Stone you sensed on the night of Tom's arrest." Gaius said.
"Of course! Gwen said that Tauren had some kind of stone." Merlin said realising.
In dungeons, Morgana sat on the floor of her cell. The door opened and Arthur entered.
"You. How proud you must be. Son of the mighty Uther. How you must look up to him. Does the King's little helper bring a message? Or have you just come to gloat?" Morgana said angrily.
"Guards!" Arthur called.
Morgana stood up and backed away, pulling on her chains.
"Get away from me, you cowards!" She said as the gaurds moved towards her.
"You're free to go." Arthur said.
The guards removed her manacles and she started to leave. She walked to the door. When Arthur called, "Morgana."
She paused just behind Arthur.
"Yes?" She asked.
"I swore to him you'd never challenge his authority again. I swore that you'd learned your lesson. Tread carefully. Next time, I may not be able to help you." Arthur said, warning her.
"Thank you. You're a better man than your father. Always were." She praised before leaving.
As Morgana entered her chambers, she saw Gwen there. Gwen went to Morgana quickly.
"My Lady!" She said.
"Gwen. I didn't expect to see you here." Morgana said.
"What happened to you?" She asked, clearly worried
"Nothing. Well, nothing a hot bath wouldn't fix." Morgana said with a small smile.
Gwen saw the sores on Morgana's arms where the manacles rubbed.
"I spent the night in the dungeon." Morgana told her.
"Uther." Gwen said.
"He doesn't like to be challenged." Morgana shrugged.
"It wasn't about my father, was it?" Gwen asked already knowing the answer.
"You have enough to deal with without worrying about such things." Morgana told her.
"You shouldn't have done that! Not on my behalf. If anything happened to you, I couldn't bear it." Gwen said.
"You need to go home, Gwen. Get some rest. Please." Morgana said.
"I'm fine, My Lady."
"I insist."
Gwen walked past Morgana with her head bowed, picking up a hair brush.
"Gwen?" Morgana called.
Gwen stopped, her back to Morgana, trying not to cry.
"Gwen?" Morgana asked again.
"I can't go home!" Gwen finally told her.
"It's understandable to feel so alone."
"Tauren..." Gwen said.
"Tauren?" Morgana asked surprised.
"He attacked me. He threatened me. He was looking for some kind of stone." Gwen told her.
"Stone?" Morgana asked.
"He said if I didn't bring it to him, he'd kill me. He's waiting for me in the Darkling Woods. I have to do something. If I don't get this stone to him by dawn tomorrow." Gwen said.
Morgana began walking off.
"What are you going to do?" Gwen asked.
"I'm going to send the guards, of course. It won't be you that Tauren meets. It'll be the Knights of Camelot." Morgana told her.
Merlin and Alexia jerked up awake when they sensed the Mage Stone's power as Morgana held it in her chambers.
The pair looked at each other, before Merlin nodded. Alexia nodded too and they got out of bed and saw Morgana walking out of Camelot.
Deciding to follow her, they passed through the Lower Town, into the woods, where she was surrounded by Tauren's men.
Alexia took a step forward to go and help her before Merlin held her, pulling her back.
They hid behind a tree and listened in on their conversation.
"Where's your maid?" Tauren asked.
"I've come in her place." Morgana replied.
"Kill her." Tauren said simply.
"No! Wait! I brought the Stone!" Morgana said quickly, reaching for the stone. Alexia and Merlin looked at the scene in surprise.
"What else have you brought, My Lady? The Knights of Camelot?" Tauren asked.
"I came alone, I promise you." Morgana assured.
"Give me the stone." He said.
Morgana handed it over.
"You were foolish to come here. I had no quarrel with your maid. But you, My Lady Morgana, you are Uther's ward." Tauren said.
He drew his sword and put it to her stomach. Alexia quickly took a step forward before Merlin held her.
He shook his head a bit. Alexia looked at him in anger.
"If you kill me, you'll regret it." Morgana said.
"Why is that?" Tauren asked.
"Because I want Uther dead, too." Morgana told the man.
Merlin looked shocked while Alexia was worried. Morgana was planning to kill the king.
"You? An enemy of the King? And I'm to believe that?" Tauren asked.
"Why else would I be here?" Morgana asked.
"I can only guess at your motives, My Lady. You could be a spy, for all I know." Tauren replied.
"And this..." She said flicking back her sleeves revealing her sore, bruised wrists. Alexia winced a bit.
"Is it usual for Uther to chain his friends to a dungeon wall? The stone. You took it to the forge. Why?" She asked.
"With it a man can alter the very essence of things. He can turn a lump of lead into gold." Tauren replied
"Gold? A good man died in your quest for riches, Tauren. His daughter is now an orphan." Morgana told the man.
"I'm sorry for that. Truly. But we did not want the gold to line our pockets. The gold was but a means, a means to rid this kingdom of Uther Pendragon once and for all." Tauren said.
"What are you saying?" Morgana asked.
"Bribery is rife at Camelot. I will use the corruption at the heart of his kingdom, and such abundance of gold will buy me into the King's chambers, even to the King himself." Tauren proudly told his plan.
"The guards may be fools, Tauren, but the King is not." Morgana informed him.
"Do you have a better plan?" He asked, sheathing his sword.
"To get to Uther, you need someone close to him." Morgana said
"And you know of such a person?" Tauren asked.
"I do." Morgana paused. "Me." She said.
Merlin and Alexia looked at each other before leaving.
In the physician's chambers, Merlin stared into his bowl at dinner, while Alexia was not even sitting for the dinner. Her appetite was always small. She was currently reading one of Gaius's many books. But clearly, her mind was not in the book.
"Pass the salt please." Gaius said to Merlin.
Merlin handed him an apple without looking.
Gaius looked at Merlin and then at Alexia, who was still in her thoughts.
He turned back to Merlin.
"You all right?" He asked Merlin.
"What? Yeah. I've just got a few things on my mind, that's all." Merlin assured him.
"Anything you'd like to talk to me about?" Gaius asked his wards.
"I can't imagine you'd be interested." Merlin told him.
"So long as you're sure." Gaius said
"We should be getting to work." He said standing up and heading towards the door. Alexia too stood up but stopped as she saw where Merlin was going.
"Er, Merlin?" Gaius called.
Merlin stopped and turned.
"That's a broom cupboard." Gaius told him.
After sometime, at night, Merlin and Alexia walked down the Tunnel Stairway with a torch and entered the Dragon's Cave. The great dragon was sleeping. The pair of the powerful magicians shared a glance before Merlin cleared his throat pointedly. The dragon stirred.
"Well, young warlock, young witch, what is it you come to ask of me?" The great dragon asked.
"We need your help." Merlin said.
"Of course you do, but this time, will you heed my words?" The great dragon asked.
"The sorcerer Tauren is plotting to kill the King. He's made an ally of Morgana. We don't know what to do!" Alexia said ignoring his question.
"Do...nothing." the great dragon replied.
"What do you mean? If we do nothing, Uther will die." Merlin exclaimed.
"Don't you want Uther dead? It is Uther that persecutes you and your kind, Merlin. It is Uther that murders the innocent." The great dragon said.
"But surely that doesn't make it right to kill him." Merlin said.
"I don't think Uther shall be killed." Alexia interrupted.
"Only if Uther dies can magic return to the land. Only if Uther dies will you be free, Merlin, Alexia. Uther's reign is at an end. Let Arthur's reign begin. Fulfil your destinies!" The great dragon said flying off.
"Wait! Where does it say our destinies includes murder?" Merlin asked shouting.
"Free this land from tyranny, Merlin! Free us all!" The dragon yelled flying above.
Merlin and Alexia looked at each other.
They returned to the chambers.
"We have to save Uther." Alexia said.
"But what the great dragon said was also true." Merlin said.
"That doesn't mean we can let Uther die. Time will take its toll Merlin. Uther will die. But think Merlin, if Arthur found that his father was murdered by Tauren, a sorcerer, he will never accept magic." Alexia said.
At this Merlin frowned.
"Decide from your heart Merlin. Do you really want Uther to die?" Alexia asked.
Merlin looked thoughtful.
"I know you don't. You won't even hurt a fly knowingly. How come you will hurt a man? I know you Merlin. You are kind. You are good. Time will come and Uther will die. But we can't let Morgana and Tauren kill him." Alexia said.
Merlin looked at her before nodding.
"Thanks Alexia. For showing me the right way." He said.
Alexia smiled at him.
"But why don't you want to kill him? I thought after he killed Gwen's father you would want him dead." Merlin said.
"You were so angry at him. He was wrong." He continued.
"I know Merlin. He was wrong. But that doesn't mean we shall kill him. Who in this world doesn't commit mistake? Even Uther did. Moreover, killing Uther will bring us all to his level. It's not right." Alexia said before laying back.
"You are truly amazing." He said copying her actions and falling on his bed.
"We will protect Uther tomorrow." Merlin said closing his eyes.
"Mm- hm!" Alexia agreed.
"Good night Alexia!" Merlin wished.
"Good joke Merlin." Alexia scoffed.
"But still, good night Merlin." Alexia said.
In the chamber of doom, Uther ate alone. Morgana entered.
"I didn't expect to see you. You wish to say something?" Uther asked.
"I came to apologise, My Lord." Morgana apologized.
"Good." Uther said.
Morgana stiffened.
"I didn't mean to rile you. I thought only of Gwen. The poor girl is all alone in the world." Morgana pitied.
"It was not my intention to hurt your maid." Uther said.
"I know. But now she suffers, and I know how she must suffer." Morgana said.
"Morgana." Uther said.
"I only meant, I know what it's like to lose a father." Morgana said.
"That was a terrible day. Your father was a great friend. I had no part in his death." Uther said sadly.
"You sent him into battle. You promised him reinforcements and then gave him none. You sent him to his death." Morgana said, clearly upset.
"That is not true. It was never my intention." Uther justified.
"But it happened! And it keeps on happening." Morgana said.
"Morgana!" Uther exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, My Lord." Morgana apologized and turned to leave, looking upset, but her expression cleared when she faced the door.
Uther watched from a Throne Room window as Morgana walked down the palace steps into the Square with Gwen. Morgana walked down the curved steps from her chambers to the Griffin Landing, Uther rounded the corner behind her.
"Morgana!" Uther called.
Morgana stopped, but didn't turn around.
"I'm not disturbing you, I hope?" He asked.
"Not at all." Morgana said.
"These are difficult times. They put a strain on us all." Uther said.
"Yes, My Lord." Morgana agreed.
"I cannot tell you how much it pains me to be at odds with you." Uther confessed.
"And I with you." Morgana said.
"I've been thinking about what you said. And, er, I realise I may have been insensitive. I should have foreseen the distress that your maid's loss would cause you, that it would stir old memories. I've opened an old wound. For that, I'm sorry." Uther apologized.
Morgana went to Uther.
"My Lord, it gladdens my heart to hear these words. I too wish to heal these wounds. Let us visit my father's grave together and put the past behind us." Morgana said.
"Nothing would give me greater happiness." Uther told her.
"Shall we leave tomorrow at first light?" She asked.
"I will make arrangements." Uther said.
Morgana met Tauren outside the palace walls at night.
"So, My Lady, what news?" Tauren asked.
"Uther has fallen for the bait. We ride out in the morning for the Old Cairn on the hill." Morgana told him.
"Are you sure you're committed to this?" Tauren asked.
"More than ever I want Uther dead as much as you. As much as anyone in this rotten kingdom of his." Morgana replied.
"Then the deed is as good as done." Tauren assured her.
Merlin and Alexia saw Tauren leaveing and sneaked back behind the castle wall.
Next morning, Uther and Morgana's party ride out of the Square. Merlin and. Alexia watched from Arthur's Chambers. Before they left the room running to their own chambers. They quickly grabbed the staffs of Sophia and Aulfric, the shidhes.
On the outskirts of the grave, Tauren and his men hid behind trees in the forest that the riding party passed through. Morgana and Uther dismounted at the bottom of the hill.
"Do you think that we could have some privacy?" Morgana asked.
"Fine. Wait here. We're in no danger." Uther commanded to gaurds.
"Sire." The gaurds said.
Merlin and Alexia ran through the woods with the Sidhe staff. Morgana and Uther climbed the hill to the grave site. The magical pair approached their horses and found the Camelot guards dead. Alexia gasped at their dead figure.
"We are late." Alexia said.
They saw the renegades pursuing Uther.
Morgana knelt at Gorlois's gravestone.
"Father." She said.
Uther sticked his sword in the ground. Merlin and Alexia approached the renegades and raised the staff.
"Ácwele!" Merlin whispered.
A bolt of energy shot out and killed one of the renegades.
The other one drew his sword and Alexia whisper the same spell and the renegade was dead.
Uther approached the grave and placed his hand on Morgana's head.
"Your father was the greatest man I've ever known. He stood for everything this kingdom represents. Truth, justice, valour. A hundred times he saved my life on the battlefield. His courage and his honour were without equal." He said and knelt. He then kissed gravestone.
"When Gorlois died, I lost the truest friend I ever had. For he was as fearless in questioning my judgment as he was in defending my kingdom. That's the mark of a true friend."
"I know how he respected you, My Lord. But I don't share these memories. How can I? I was ten years old. I only know I loved him and he was taken from me." Morgana said.
"When he died, and I took you into my care, you fought me from the beginning. Your will is as strong as my own. You challenge me as a friend must. As your father did in his time." Uther said.
"And when I do, you clap me in irons." Morgana said.
"I know I'm not an easy man. My temper blinds me sometimes. There are things that I regret." Uther said.
"Gwen's father?" Morgana asked knowing the answer would no.
"Yes." Uther said.
Morgana looked at Uther, surprised.
"Are you saying you were wrong to have Tom killed?" Morgana asked.
"Yes." He said.
Tauren watched them from behind a tree, but he heard Merlin sneaking up behind him. He moved and pulled out the Mage Stone.
"Ácwele!" Merlin whispered and raised the staff and shoot, but Tauren absorbed the energy bolt with the Stone and sent it back at Merlin. Merlin was knocked unconscious. Tauren was about to move when he felt sharp pain in his gut. He turned to see Alexia standing with her sword in his gut. He gasped before falling back and died.
Alexia dropped the sword which turned to the staff.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself before going to Merlin and waking him up.
Merlin groaned as he sat up.
"Tauren!" Merlin whispered.
"He is dead." Alexia said.
Merlin looked around and saw the man lying dead on the ground. He looked at Alexia and stood up. He could easily see the tears glistening in her eyes. But decided to say nothing. She needed to process her thoughts. They both now turned to the king and the lady.
Morgana just looked at Uther, in surprise. She glanced around and when she saw noone, she frowned a bit, before turning back to Uther.
"We must leave." She said.
Uther nodded.
Merlin grinned as he saw Uther safe. Alexia looked a bit upset. She changed the events drastically. It should have been Morgana who killed Tauren, not her. But now it was changed. Merlin looked at Alexia and nudged her to move.
Alexia nodded and they too returned to the Camelot.
As they entered the physician's chamber, they were stopped by Gaius.
"It's enough both of you. There is something going on which you are not telling me. So be quick and tell me before I decide to give you the duty to clean my leech tank for a whole week." Gaius warned.
Alexia smirked while Merlin gave a smile.
"Oh just the usual, we saving the royals and getting no recognition or appreciation!" Merlin said with a shrug.
Alexia chuckled at his comments but Gaius frowned.
"Who did you save now?" Gaius asked.
"Uther." Alexia said.
Merlin chose to explain and he told him everything.
"So you mean that Morgana planned to kill Uther?" Gaius asked shocked.
Merlin and Alexia nodded.
"And you saved him?" He asked.
Again a nod.
"Well..." He started, "I am proud of you." At this both Alexia and Merlin gave a huge smile and went cheered.
And the day went on normally.