A/N: Happy new year!
Rose and Morgana had been having the same dream night after night. It would always start with the same thing. This night was no different she was asleep and dreamed it again only this time there was difference. The throne room was full of people in rows there was music playing. Arthur stood at the front of the room wearing the kings crown and his knights wear with the red cloak, Rose was on his left-hand side looking a bit older wearing a red dress with the knight's cloak and a crown on her head it looked like the crown that Arthur used to wear when he was made crowned prince.
Gwen entered the room from the back in a purple dress people bowed as she walked past them all. Once Gwen got to the front of the room she knelt on to the floor in front of Arthur. He put his hand out for a crown as she looked at him with love and happiness. He picked up the crown from the pillow and put it, so it was over Gwen's head.
"By the sacred laws vested in me, I pronounce you Guinevere, queen of Camelot," said Arthur. He placed the crown on her head and then he helped her up and she went across to the throne on Arthur's right-hand side. They swapped hands and Arthur took Rose's over hand and the three of them sat down Arthur in between them.
The dream then changed for Rose that was new it usually ended with throne room she was being dragged from the lake of Avalon by Merlin, she was lifeless, and Merlin was crying. Rose awoke with a gasp a few seconds later she heard Morgana do the exact same thing. Rose got out of bed and headed over to see her guardian who was already up staring out the window. She wrapped her arm around her waist.
"Is everything all right, my lady" asked Gwen. They both jumped and turned around to look at her.
"We're fine, its late you should go to bed" said Morgana in a firm voice.
"Good night" said Gwen
"Goodnight Gwen" said Rose and Morgana together before she left the room. Rose summoned a raven before writing a quick note to Morgause.
"Come on let's get dressed and go for a walk," said Rose. She went across to her part of the chambers and got into a simple dress and shoes. Morgana was dressed when she entered her area of the chamber.
They walked around the castle for a while Morgana seemed shaken up by the dream, but Rose couldn't help wondering why she had the extra part of the dream about Merlin pulling her out of Avalon.
"Sister, Rose" said a voice in Morgana's and Rose's head. They followed the voice a door opened at the end of the corridor "this way". The fire lit up a torch on its own accord Morgana picked up the torch and they walked further into a chamber.
"Hello, sister, Rose" said Morgause. Morgana hugged her straight away looking upset.
"I can't tell how good it is to see you," said Morgana. She stood back and then Rose hugged Morgause before stepping back.
Morgause took both their hands. Morgana took Rose's hand, so they were all holding hands in a circle.
"I received Rose's message, what are these dreams that are troubling you both" said Morgause.
"They show a ceremony in Camelot, it's our serving girl Gwen she crowned queen, Rose is standing at Arthur's side like she is his ward," said Morgana.
"We have been seeing the same thing night after night," said Rose.
"There are some dreams that are so powerful that your healing bracelets won't stop them" said Morgause.
"So is it a prophecy," said Rose.
"How can that be? She's a servant Uther would never allow Arthur to marry her," said Morgana.
"In the dreams he's never there and for Arthur to be king, Uther is dead," said Rose. She squeezed Morgana's hand hoping to give her some comfort.
"There are many futures, some are shrouded in mist others as clear as cut class, but your gifts are powerful, and this vison cannot be ignored, you must put an end to this relationship between Arthur and Gwen" said Morgause. Rose had a niggle of guilt then it was replaced with loyalty. No this wasn't right Gwen was Arthur's once and future queen, but Morgana had to be queen. What was happening to her?
Rose and Morgana had breakfast and Rose went about her day as normal unfortunately she had not chance to speak to Merlin yet. No Merlin couldn't help her right now she was going to go out and speak to Kilghara after dinner she decided. Rose didn't understand what was going on in her head it was like something in there was getting stronger and she had no way of escaping it. She didn't want to break up Gwen and Arthur, but she had to for Morgana to become queen. At dinner Rose sat next to Morgana at dinner they were eating with Arthur and Uther. Merlin and Gwen were serving their food and drink. She kept looking across to Merlin. He poured her out some water and a tiny drop got on her dress.
"You clumsy idiot, I should have you put in the stocks," said Arthur.
"No that's unnecessary, look no harm done, at least its water not red wine," said Rose.
Arthur gave her smile and she smiled back. This made Morgana narrow her eyebrows slightly.
"How are the defences on the northern border" asked Uther.
"There have been a number of minor skirmishes," said Rose. Uther looked to Arthur who was staring at Gwen with love like the way he looked at her in the vision. The king was trying to get his attention and staring at the maidservant was probably going to tip him off that there was something going on.
"Do you believe it is Odin testing our defences" asked Uther.
"Arthur" asked Rose.
"Sorry" said Arthur he sat up and knocked over his goblet and it landed in Uther's lap he jumped up and Gwen came over to clean it.
"What is wrong with you," said Uther.
"Nothing, sorry," said Arthur.
"Should we put you in the stocks," said Rose. Arthur gave her an amused look. She gave him a wink and then carried on eating. The rest of dinner went off without too much of a hitch every so often Arthur would get lost in Gwen's eyes. She would kick him under the table when it looked too obvious.
After dinner Morgana went to off to find Arthur and Rose snuck out of the castle where her cloak that completely hid her whole identity. She got to a clearing in the woods and opened her mouth ready.
"O drakon, e mala soi ftengometh tesd'hup anankes! Erkheo! Anale tendai gard amasen fulakson!" called Rose into the air. A few minutes later Rose heard the wings of her friend he landed in front of her and bowed his yellow eyes staring down at her.
"You called young one I was beginning to worry you had forgotten me" said Kilghara.
"I could never do that old friend, I am going to get to the point, what is my destiny because now it's unclear" said Rose desperately.
"You are destined to protect the once and future queen by bridging the gap between the light and the dark, the light being Merlin and the dark being Morgana, you will always be between the two sides, you are destined for good" said Kilghara in his calming voice he blew warm air into her face.
"It doesn't feel like it," said Rose.
"That is because Morgause has a strong enchantment on you that gets stronger every day you mind is being controlled to not feel guilt or shame and keep you loyal to the old religion they seem to think your feelings of guilt will get ruin their plans, you also have a protection spell on your necklace which is attempting get rid of the enchantment and your own mind is fighting against it causing you to feel exhausted" explained Kilghara.
The feeling of hurt stung her deeply Morgause didn't trust her enough to not turn against them. She didn't need an enchantment.
"Who has done the protection spell," said Rose.
"I assume it's the druid boy's it's not strong enough to be your brother's work" said Kilghara. Rose sighed she heard noise from nearby the dragon bent his neck down and she climbed on before flying away. They went to a cave area, and she got down before sitting down on a rock. It was just like old times just no chains.
"How do I get rid of the enchantment" asked Rose.
"I think you already know the answer for that, you must be submerged in the lake of Avalon while I do the healing spell to rid you off all enchantments, the time for that though is not now, it has to be when you are, and Merlin are separated during the battle for Camelot" said Kilghara. Rose sighed and put her head in her hands.
"I might kill someone under this enchantment," said Rose.
"No, you are not a cold-blooded killer, you would never kill your friends, ever notice that as soon as one of them is nearly killed you become clearer headed" said Kilghara. Rose stared at her dragon friend for a minute before smiling.
The sun had set so it was dark in the cave Rose stared at a rock and it burst into flames. She stared at it as it lit up the cave.
"Can I ask one more question" asked Rose.
"Off course" said Kilghara a smile on his face.
"Sometimes I feel Morgause's pain and sometimes she'll feel mine, why is this?" asked Rose.
"The high priestesses of the old religion are linked together; they have a connection you and Morgause are the last high priestesses left" said Kilghara. They sat and talked a bit longer until she started yawning. She got on Kilghara then and he took her to the field just outside Camelot. The sun was rising, and they landed "get some rest". Rose got down from Kilghara and walked to her chambers. She fell asleep on her bed quickly to dream again of Arthur crowning Gwen queen.
Rose woke up sometime later she looked at the window it was past midday she got up and drew herself up a bath. She sat in the hot water and thought about what Kilghara had told her. There was no way out of this enchantment. She thought about it the reason she was so tired a lot of the time was because she was fighting it and the necklace was fighting it. She wondered if she stopped fighting it what would happen. She distracted however with Morgana entering the room.
"I lead Uther straight to them, he banished Gwen however we do have a problem" said Morgana she sat down on the bed.
"What is the problem?" asked Rose she got hold of the towel and got out the bath. She got hold of one of her casual dresses and went behind the screen.
"Arthur is going to leave with Gwen and the return to Camelot, so I am going to plant a poultice in his bed and accuse our future queen as a sorcerer," said Morgana.
Rose got dressed and dried her hair quickly with magic. This couldn't be happening. Yes, it could don't fight against it. They had dinner in the council chambers neither Arthur or Uther were at dinner, so it was just Rose and Morgana. After dinner Morgana planted the poultice in Arthur's bed he was out probably talking to Gwen or something. Rose waited outside the room standing guard. Morgana came out the room and sucked in a breath "Time to go warn the king of his sons enchantment". Rose nodded and smiled. They went to Uther's chambers and knocked on the door.
"Enter" said Uther they both entered he smiled when he saw them "Morgana, Rose".
"We were concerned about you, my lord," said Morgana.
"You weren't at dinner," said Rose. Morgana started to light the candles and Rose went over to Uther and sat down on a chair next to him the table.
"Ugh I have no appetite," said Uther. Rose wanted to roll her eyes that this, his son had fallen in with a maid what was crazy about that.
"You're worried about Arthur," said Morgana.
"I do not understand his feeling for this girl, she's a servant," said Uther. Rose again had the urge to roll her eyes but again she held back on that, she smiled at the thought of Uther's reaction if he found out that she was courting a druid.
"It's weird Arthur has never told me about feelings for Gwen and now he is confessing his love for her, Rose is worried," said Morgana.
"What worries you young one" said Uther putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Arthur he's not himself it's almost like he's, I dare not say it," said Rose. Morgana came and sat down next to Rose putting her hand on her other shoulder. She tried to keep her mind calm but the battle for her mind was raging.
"Speak your mind he won't be angry," said Morgana. Rose realised at that pointed she had just been staring nervously at Uther.
"It's almost as if Arthur is under a spell," said Rose. Uther stared at her for a minute before ordering the guard to search Arthur's chambers.
They all went to the council chambers and Morgana and Rose stood together as a guard came in showing Uther the poultice. Gaius was then sent for not long after. He came in calmly; the king quickly gave him the poultice. Gaius eyed it up with interest.
"Is it magical" asked Uther.
"I believe so, these are the symbols of the old religion" said Gaius he looked at it then looked at Uther.
"Could it be used to cast an enchantment" asked Uther. Rose felt like her heart was beating fast, Gwen was going to be sentenced to death and it will be all her fault. The feeling of nothing was worse than guilt it was torture.
"That would be one use of such a poultice," said Gaius.
"This enchantment, could it cause someone to fall in love?" asked Uther.
Morgana was smiling, was she trying to give herself away maybe Morgause should have put an enchantment on her to stop her smiling when things weren't a happy moment.
"It is entirely possible; may I ask where it was found," said Gaius.
"It was discovered in Arthur's chambers, find Morgana's and Rose's maid and bring her to me immediately," said Uther. Gaius looked Morgana directly in the eye and she glared back at him.
"We don't know if it's Gwen, my lord," said Rose. Uther ignored her and sat down on his throne, Gwen was bought in between two guards and forced on to their knees she groaned with impact. Rose moved forward but Morgana grabbed her hand pulled her back.
"Do you recognize it" said Uther putting the poultice straight into her face, she flinched backwards and looked around at the others in the room.
"Never seen it before in my life" said Gwen honestly her voice was shaking slightly with nerves.
"Really" said Uther glaring down at the servant "I believe you planted it in Arthur's chambers, to enchant him".
"She has always been a loyal and committed servant, she doesn't have magic," said Rose.
"Why then would Arthur go for someone like her," said Uther.
Rose didn't like this at all she didn't want Gwen sentenced to death, yeah, she does. The battle for her mind was going again it was making her whole head start to ache.
"That's not true" said Gwen in a small voice "I don't expect someone like you to understand that". He back handed her across the face. Rose stepped forward and stood next Gwen putting her hand on her shoulder.
"My lord, Gwen had always been a loyal and trusted servant" protested Morgana now she says something in Gwen's defence even if she was only pretending to be concerned. Uther got up and moved over to Morgana.
"I have no doubt she's feigned loyalty, while using her position to get close to my son," said Uther.
"She's been working for Morgana for years now, how come only now does she do this, something isn't right here," said Rose. Morgana gave her an impressed look.
The door opened and everyone looked around as Merlin and Arthur walked in.
"What is the meaning of this," said Arthur. The headache was splitting her head she couldn't stand it anymore. She couldn't watch her be sentenced to death she ran from the room before anyone could stop her, tears running down her face.
Rose went to Gaius's chambers took a headache draft and picked up a book there had to be a quicker way to get rid of her enchantment. She shouldn't have to wait and loose her mind in the process. Merlin and Gaius walked in both looking sombre.
"Gwen has been sentenced to death," said Merlin. Rose immediately burst into tears she wanted out of this stupid enchantment and spell.
"I didn't want this, Merlin take me to Avalon just drown me already, I can't live like this anymore," cried Rose. Merlin came over to her hugged her tightly.
"I can't do it until the battle of Camelot," said Merlin. She hugged back and soon she calmed hiccupping slightly. All three of the people in the room sat and drank tea.
"How did you find out" asked Gaius.
"Kilghara told me," said Rose. Merlin looked at Rose with interest for a minute.
"Can I ask why Morgana wants Gwen dead?" asked Merlin. Rose looked at him and smiled she forgot that she hadn't had chance to tell him yet about the dream she had been having. Rose told Merlin and Gaius about the dream.
"So, in the future I will be king Arthur's ward," said Rose. She sighed and put her head on the table this whole business was exhausting "Off course I won't make that too obvious otherwise he'll be accused of sorcery". Merlin laughed at that before they got to work to save Gwen.
The next day the pyre was being built and the guards were doubled around Arthur's chambers and the pyre. Rose found herself being summoned to Arthur's chambers the moment she woke up, she ate breakfast and dressed before heading to his chambers, Morgana seemed not to mind too much about this, she wondered if Morgause had reassured her. She went there and knocked on the door.
"Enter" said Arthur. Rose entered the room; the prince was stood at his window. She went over to him, and he wrapped his arms around her.
"You wanted to see me," said Rose.
"You got distressed yesterday and I wanted to see you were okay," said Arthur. Rose nodded and pulled away he picked up her hand and held it.
"I am alright, I just don't want Gwen sentence to death, I know how much this must upset you" said Rose sadly. Arthur looked at her sadly and nodded a few tears coming into his eyes as he watched the pyre start to be build. Merlin came running in looking determined, he smiled when saw Rose there.
"We need to find a way to smuggle Gwen out of Camelot," said Merlin.
"My father has me on constant watch, there are guards everywhere" said Arthur he sighed sadly looking completely broken "I can't watch her die".
"Merlin go speak to Gwen see if you can get any information out of her over who might have set her up, Arthur we are not going to stand here and watch the pyre get built, come on lets go do some training" said Rose. Before he could protest Rose grabbed his sword and gave it to him and dragged him from the room. "Merlin work out anyway to get her out of this" added Rose into Merlin's head. Merlin looked at her and nodded.
Rose and Arthur trained for a few hours on sword work, foot work and finally at long last he was teaching her to do archery. She struggled to start off with, but she got the hang of it towards the end. He seemed to enjoy teaching her and soon he was smiling again. They went back into the castle and Arthur speaking to the guards. A man with silvery grey hair went pasted them and into Arthur's room. Rose followed him with confusion and Arthur followed her. The man was stood by the bed pretending to do a spell, that was odd he wasn't even saying any actual spell but pretending to do the spell. At the moment if he was doing magic with the spell the worst, he would do was turn the pillow into a frog. Rose noticed the wizard was wearing Gaius's clothes. They both put their swords to his back.
"Show yourself!" said Arthur.
"Who are you" asked Rose.
The strange magician stood there for a minute before deciding on a name that was suspicious surely, he should know what his own name was.
"I am Dragoon the great" said the man turning around. Rose stared at him and then stared at him open mouthed, this was no stranger this was Merlin, Merlin under an aging spell.
"Is it you who planted the poultice in my bed?" asked Arthur.
"You have caught me red handed, I have no choice but to confess," said old Merlin. Arthur put his sword to old Merlin's chest.
"An innocent girl almost died because of your actions" said Arthur angrily.
"I told you to use any method not this! You idiot if he recognises you, what if the spell doesn't hold" said Rose into Dragoon's head. This couldn't be happening first her best friend was sentenced to death now her brother decided he fancied a bit of suicide; things were just going so well.
"I suppose your father will have to let her go then, now you have caught me," said old merlin.
"I should run you through where you stand," said Arthur.
"I really wouldn't do that if I were you, because if you do that," said old Merlin.
Rose stared at him as he attempted to finish his sentence.
"We'll never know what he was planning if we kill him," said Rose.
"What she said," said Old Merlin.
"What plan?" said Arthur looking confused.
"Exactly! That's why you can't run me through," said Old Merlin. Rose stared at them both, Arthur to look like he was recognising him slightly. Rose just wanted to bang her head into the wall repeatedly this plan was so dangerous.
"Have we met?" asked Arthur, old Merlin looked at Arthur face intensely and he did it back. This was so weird.
"No, I never forget a face" said Old Merlin dismissively.
"Your eyes, we've met somewhere before," said Arthur.
"Me, no!" said Old Merlin desperately he got bored of the conversation and shouted a spell that caused a helmet to fly straight into Arthur's head. Old Merlin ran out the room and Rose followed him they avoided the guards and Merlin attempted to make himself young again "Edniwe min geoguð!" he looked at his hands and felt his face he was old still the panic in his eyes gave Rose a shiver.
"Try again" whispered Rose.
"Edniwe min geoguð!" said Old Merlin again and still he stayed old.
"Run, blast me back with magic" whispered Rose, Arthur came out his room with the guards in their general direction. Merlin did this but gently Rose went flying into the air and landed on the floor. Arthur helped her up before they carried on chasing him down. Arthur chucked a dagger at him, and it caught his sleeve as he ran through the door. The guards restrained him.
Arthur and Rose entered the council chamber where there was a meeting with the council Gaius stood at the end of the table and Morgana was at the other end of the table.
"Father" said Arthur.
"Sire" said Rose.
"Arthur, Rose" greeted Uther. Old Merlin got bought in by the guards Gaius gave him a concerned look before keeping himself straight faced "who is this?". Rose couldn't believe she had captured her own brother and handing him in with Arthur what on earth was going on. Camelot was crazy.
"He is the sorcerer," said Arthur.
"We found him planting this under Arthur's pillow," said Rose. Arthur handed him the poultice and looked at him hopefully this news would save Gwen this was the point of it but at the same time now Merlin was going to potentially have the same fate.
"Is this true" asked Uther to the old man. Morgana looked at Rose with confusion, she shrugged at her before getting back to the task at hand.
"Yes" said Old Merlin. He stayed calm and looked Uther dead in the face. This must be weird for Merlin.
"What did you hope to achieve with the enchantment" asked Uther.
"If the prince was to fall in love with a lowly servant girl, a servant on the throne Camelot would fall," said Old Merlin.
"Have I wronged you in some way old man" said Uther in an arrogant voice.
"You have wronged so many people in so many ways. You're blinded by your hatred of magic. You have tortured and executed innocent people. You, Uther Pendragon, are a stupid, arrogant old tyrant!" shouted old Merlin. Rose put her hand to face in embarrassment was he trying to get himself executed on the spot, Arthur won't be able to unite the land of Albion if Merlin was executed.
Uther looked amused.
"Hold your tongue," said Arthur. Old Merlin rounded on Arthur for another shout.
"Oh, I know you mistreat your servants! They do everything for you, but do they ever get any thanks? No! You're a spoiled arrogant brat!" shouted Old Merlin Rose and Gaius rolled their eyes at the same time maybe if they did decide to execute him on the spot, she can unite the land of Albion "With the brain of a donkey and the breath of a toad". Rose couldn't help giggle at that bit. She got hold of old Merlin's arm with one of the guards moving him away from Arthur.
"The serving girl was she your accomplish" said Rose getting the conversation back on track as the knights and guards were looking ready to kill Merlin where he stood.
"No, I enchanted her too, the girl is entirely innocent," said Old Merlin. Arthur looked to Uther with begging eyes.
"My lord he has confessed," said Arthur. Uther turned to the knight on his left-hand side.
"Release the girl, tomorrow at dawn you will take her place on the pyre, take him away," said Uther. Rose and the guard took Old Merlin from the room he looked upset and defeated. He couldn't get that spell working that was the problem. Arthur walked ahead of them obviously getting ready to release Gwen.
They let Gwen out the cell and put Old Merlin into the cell. Rose waited behind to speak to the sorcerer. She went in once the guards and Arthur left.
"You idiot!" said Rose smacking him round the head. Old Merlin winced and looked scared as he looked out the window.
"Gwen is no longer going to die" offered Old Merlin in a smirk.
"No, you are instead," said Rose. She took his hands "geedleánend Bfielinghad byre" nothing happened she sighed and left the cell and sat down so she was leant again the metal cell doors. Gaius came and joined them in their despair.
"Merlin what happened?" asked Gaius.
"The spell won't work Gaius, it's too powerful" cried Merlin.
"Try it again," said Gaius.
"We can't I've tried, Rose has tried, we have even tried together" said Merlin desperately he looked at them sadly "I am stuck like this".
"No, Uther will have you burnt" said Gaius Rose looked at him with shock.
"There must be a way to break the spell" said Rose and Old Merlin at the same time. Gaius looked at them both weirdly.
"Even when he's 80 you still speak at the same time," said Gaius. There had be something a spell or maybe even an antidote. She remembered reading a book on potions, but she couldn't remember what book it was.
"I remember reading in a book about an antidote," said Rose.
"Yes, the only one I can think off is the book of Gala there's an antidote that can undo such aging spells," said Gaius.
"How long will that take" asked Merlin.
"Longer than you have I fear, buy yourself some time," said Rose. Both Gaius and Rose walked quickly away to get the potion sorted.
They went to Gaius's chambers and got to work on the potion they had to get the potion a certain colour for it to work. She helped him read the book while Gaius did the potion.
Rose started to have a bad feeling about it all if it didn't work Rose would save Merlin herself there was no way she was letting him die. Gaius fell asleep at some point and then Rose carried with it all night until just before dawn. She nudged Gaius to wake up and they carried on with the potion. Rose could feel the time passing away and it scared her. Once the potion was complete the bell was tolling for the start of the execution. Rose and Gaius got up and went in the direction of the square, Merlin was being led through the doors outside by Arthur.
"Give me the potion, I'll run" said Rose to Gaius quietly, he gave her the potion and she ran after the execution party the drums rolled as Merlin was taken to the Pyre.
"You have been found guilty of using magic and enchantments. In accordance with our law, you will be burned at the stake. Let this serve as a lesson to all those who seek to destroy Camelot" said Uther from the balcony, Morgana stood next to him.
Lucky for Rose she wasn't expected to witness executions with the king yet on the balcony. Morgana had refused to let her go to them and the year that she had been missing Arthur had refused to let her even be on the same side of the castle to the execution. She moved to the front of the crowd, Gaius joined her at the front of the crowd, and she coughed. Old Merin turned around to look at her Gaius tapped Rose's hand. He lunged at them and took the potion from her hands.
"I put a curse on you all! I shall get my revenge," shouted Old Merlin. They pulled him away from them and Arthur put his hand on both their shoulders.
"Are you okay" asked Arthur.
"We are fine Arthur," said Rose. He was about to speak to Rose, but Old Merlin set the pyre alight, everyone jumped backwards to avoid the flames. Old Merlin ran through the crowd with the potion, Rose chased after him.
"After him" called Arthur. Rose caught up to Merlin and dragged him into an alcove and he drank the potion. Merlin became young and immediately was wobbly on his feet. Arthur came running down the corridor with the guards. Merlin and Rose went around the corner to meet them.
"Where's the sorcerer?" demanded Arthur.
"He" said Merlin his voice was dragoon still he coughed and pointed down the hall "he went that way". Rose decided he was safe so decided to go to her chambers. She went in and saw Gwen was there folding up her laundry. Rose smiled and ran over and hugged her tightly. Then pulled away and looked Gwen over to make sure she was okay.
"I was so worried, are you okay," said Rose.
"I am alright," said Gwen.
"I promise I won't let anything like this happen again," said Rose. Gwen gave an appreciative smile before sorting out the rest of her clothes. Rose watched her and talked to her while she did glad that once again her friends were safe.
The end
