Nearly everyone was gathered in the council chamber to hear what Arthur and his party had learned about the beast travelling nearer to the city. Krysia tried to steady her hands as she poured wine for those interested. Sir Bedivere, one of the longest-serving knights about her age, had been killed in battle with the creature that afternoon.

"The creature you describe has all the characteristics of the Questing Beast," Gaius said.

"Surely that's a myth," Arthur said.

Gaius continued, "According to the old books, the appearance of the Questing Beast is supposed to foreshadow a time of great upheaval."

Uther said, "Gaius, it's an old wives' tale."

"Look," Arthur said, "whatever it is, it's spreading panic. The people fear it will enter the city."

Krysia could have scripted Uther's response. More and more, he seemed to only see one answer to any given situation.

"Then we must kill it," he said. "Arthur, gather the guard together. You ride at dawn."

Nearly everyone had filed out, and Krysia began to clear away any cups—empty or otherwise—but Gaius lingered. She had a feeling she wasn't supposed to be there, so she worked as quietly as possible.

"I beg you, Sire," he said, "do not dismiss this. The beast is an omen. I've seen it come before, the night your wife Ygraine passed away."

Uther's coldness when he answered Krysia could not have predicted: "I've told you not to speak of that night again. I have conquered the Old Religion. Its warnings mean nothing to me now." Gaius bowed his head slightly, but Krysia knew he didn't agree. "Arthur will destroy the beast and we will no longer suffer at its hand."

Gaius backed out of the council chamber, and Krysia focused on her work, hoping Uther didn't notice she was still there. She was not fortunate today.

"Krysia," he said, his voice unusually harsh, still, "you're dismissed for the evening."

"Yes, sire," she said, standing straighter. "Shall I finish clearing?"

"Leave it for now," he said. "It's nothing that can't wait until morning."

She left the chamber as quickly as she could without looking suspicious, and she caught up to Gaius as quickly as she could. When she was sure they were alone in their corridor, she said, "What happened when Arthur's mother died?"

"She died," Gaius said.

"I thought she died in childbirth," Krysia said.

"I am under oath not to talk about it, but yes, she did," Gaius said.

His tone was closed. She was not supposed to ask questions, that was clear. She ached to know more, but Gaius was on a mission, and if he was under oath, she wouldn't get more out of him anyway. Almost as soon as they returned to Gaius's chambers, where Merlin was already polishing Arthur's armor, Gaius pulled a book from a shelf and began flipping pages.

"This is no ordinary beast, Merlin," he said.

"Don't worry," Merlin said brightly.

Krysia wanted to smack him, but she let Gaius's urgency do the job.

"No, listen to me, you don't understand. Uther may not respect the Old Religion, but it is very real. To face a beast such as this, you must understand where it came from."

"What do you mean?" Merlin said.

"At the very heart of the Old Religion lies the magic of life and death itself. The Questing Beast carries that power. One bite, you die, and there is no cure."

Krysia and Merlin shared a look, and she knew that this would be perhaps the strongest test of Merlin's dedication to his destiny.

/-/

The following day, Krysia watched Arthur gather the knights in the main square and give them a speech. She was relieved to see that Leon was not riding out with them but was staying behind to oversee the castle guard. What startled Krysia was Morgana rushing out of the castle, completely hysterical and still in her nightgown. Krysia's stomach twisted.

"Arthur!" Morgana shrieked.

"Morgana, what are you doing?" Arthur said, startled.

Merlin and Krysia exchanged a look. Morgana didn't have to say anything. She'd had a nightmare, and it was clearly a bad one.

"You cannot face this!" Morgana cried.

She tried to grab out at Arthur, and Arthur struggled to keep her of him.

"Morgana, go back to bed. There is nothing to be afraid of."

"Please, Arthur. I have seen terrible things! You cannot go!"

Krysia hurried forward, as did Merlin.

"Nightmares again, my lady?" Krysia said. "Don't worry, sire, I'll see her safely to Gaius."

"No!" Morgana shrieked, struggling against Krysia's guiding hand. "I will not let you go!"

"Please, Merlin, get her inside," Arthur said.

"No!"

Merlin and Krysia each took one of Morgana's arms, and Arthur motioned to Leon for the guards. Merlin and Krysia guided Morgana up the steps, where the guards took over. Krysia walked with them.

"I will make sure he's safe, my lady," Merlin said. "I promise."

"No!" Morgana shrieked again.

The guards took her arms, and Leon shared a nervous look with Krysia.

"We need to get her to Gaius right away," Krysia said.

"We'll take her to her chambers," Leon said. "You get Gaius."

Krysia nodded as Morgana continued to shriek her disapproval, shrieking all the way inside the castle. Krysia didn't turn back, going to get Gaius as quickly as she could.

/-/

While Gaius was seeing to Morgana, Krysia and Leon lingered outside. They stood in uneasy silence.

"I'm glad you didn't ride out," Krysia finally said.

Leon seemed startled, either that she spoke or with what she said, she couldn't be sure. She only knew she couldn't lose both Arthur and Leon in one day, and the odds were too high of losing one.

He was about to say something back when Gaius came out and said that Morgana had taken some medicine and was trying to rest.

"I wouldn't post someone on her door," Gaius said to Leon, "but it might be wise to make sure someone is within shouting distance, just in case."

Leon said he would see to it right away, then took his leave of them, although Krysia thought he looked just a bit reluctant. No doubt they'd have a chance to talk later.

/-/

That evening, Krysia and Gaius were just coming in for the night. He was beginning to ask what she wanted to do about dinner when the door opened to a flurry of activity. Merlin led the way, sweeping papers and books and equipment off the bench with a sweep of his arm. Krysia took a step back as knights put a stretcher down on the table, and Arthur was on the stretcher. Krysia felt dizzy, looking at him.

The guards left to give Gaius space to work, and Krysia held her breath.

"What's happened?" Gaius demanded as he leaned over Arthur. "He's been bitten."

"I tried to save him," Merlin said.

"You must tell the king," Gaius said to Krysia, who shook her head. How could she tell him his heir, his only son was going to die?

"There must be something you can do," Merlin said.

"At least try something," Krysia said.

Gaius shook his head and said, "I wish there was something."

"I'll find a cure," Merlin said.

"Merlin!"

"Trust me!"

Merlin hurried to retrieve the book from their room. Gaius leaned over Arthur.

"Can you hear me, sire?"

Arthur made no answer. Merlin came back out carrying the book, and Krysia hissed.

"You've lost your mind," Krysia said. "You're going to get us both killed.

"The king'll be here any moment," Gaius warned.

"He can't die," Merlin said. "It is my destiny to protect him. We haven't done all the things we're meant to do."

"That is the lament of all men," Gaius said.

"Gaius, he's my friend."

"Then save him," Gaius said.

Merlin used magic to flip through the book, trying several spells to restore. Krysia and Gaius watched and waited, and Krysia felt absolutely sick.

"Is there no positive sign?" Krysia asked as Gaius examined Arthur. "Not even a mild improvement?"

Gaius shook his head and sad, "The bite of the Questing Beast is a death sentence that no magic can overturn."

Before they could even process what to do next, Uther could be heard from down the corridor.

"Where is the Prince? Where is my son?" He entered, pushing his way through guards. "Arthur!"

Merlin used magic to close the book, and Krysia stood back as Uther collapsed over his son.

"Do something, Gaius!" Uther begged.

"I am trying, your majesty," Gaius said.

"We won't let him die," Krysia said.

Gaius gave her a stern look, then said, "I will do everything in my power."

Krysia was surprised when Uther scooped Arthur up in his arms.

"I'll bear him to his chamber," he said.

Krysia and Gaius exchanged a nervous look, and all three followed Uther as he left the physician's chambers, down the corridor, down a stair, out into the main square. He didn't make it all the way across the square between the weight of his grief and the weight of his son. Leon and several other knights hurried to take Arthur, and Uther stayed on his knees, weeping. Krysia let Gaius and Merlin go forward without her, remaining by the King's side.

She looked up to see Morgana watching from an opened window, and Krysia knew she must have seen this or something like it in her nightmare.

"My son," Uther said.

"What can I do, sire?" Krysia said.

He looked up at her as if startled she was there. He blinked rapidly for a moment, looking up at her, and he seemed almost afraid.

"Zosia?" he whispered.

Krysia's stomach turned, and she froze for a moment. What should she do? Where was Gaius when she needed him?

"Sire?" she said, hoping she conveyed more confusion than fear. "Sire, I am Krysia, remember? Your servant?"

He relaxed, perhaps deciding that the mistake had been an aberration of memory. He stood slowly, and Krysia let him put some of his weight on her.

"What can I do, sire?" she repeated.

"We must make sure Arthur is comfortable," he said. They began walking to the castle stair. "We need to ensure that he has everything he needs, a constant watch, and that Gaius wants for nothing in his search for the cure."

"Of course, sire. Shall I remove myself from the rotation of your care in order to oversee his nursing myself?"

"Please do," Uther said.

She let him continue to make requests, and she facilitated his talking through plans, knowing that if he kept talking, if he had purpose, the pain would be easier.

He entered Arthur's chamber, and Krysia lingered outside, where Leon was waiting, giving Gaius space.

"It doesn't look good," Leon whispered.

Krysia, finally allowing herself to feel the probable loss, nodded and tried to blink away the tears, but they came too quickly. Leon pulled her in for a comforting embrace before she was fully aware she was crying, and he began to hum absently as he smoothed her hair.

She closed her eyes and relaxed against his shoulder. For just a few minutes, she could afford to feel her own grief. As soon as Leon let go, she would have work to do, for Gaius and for Arthur and for Uther, and possibly even for Merlin. But right in this moment, she could just feel the pain of the loss of one of her oldest friends, and she could share that grief with another of her oldest friends.

"Sire," Leon said suddenly, and Krysia took a step back from Leon.

Uther was standing there, staring at them with the same expression he'd looked at her with in the square, a kind of fear. Just standing, just staring, saying nothing.

"Shall I post a regular guard?" Leon said.

"Yes," Uther said softly. "Yes. Post two, if Gaius thinks it will be useful."

Uther then took off without another word. Krysia shivered, and unfortunately, Leon noticed.

"Are you alright?" he said.

"As well as I can be," Krysia said with a forced smile.

Leon looked at where the King had just left and said, "I think you remind him of someone."

"Remind him of someone?" Krysia said. She forced a nervous laugh. "How odd. But then, grief does strange things to the mind. He…he called me by someone else's name a little while ago as well."

"Do you remember the name?" Leon said.

She would never forget the terror she felt at the sound of her mother's name on Uther's lips. She hoped she never heard it again as long as she lived, because if she did, she doubted she'd live much longer.

"No," she said. "No, I don't think I do. Why?"

Leon shook his head, but she had a feeling there was something he wasn't telling her.

/-/

Krysia and Gaius went to gather supplies from his quarters, mostly potions for pain. They were terrible for the system, but they would make him more comfortable. Palliative care was all Gaius could give.

Merlin burst in while they were making a list of items to stock in case his passing was long, and he grabbed a nearby bag.

"Merlin, you're back," Gaius said. "We need your help. You must get this to Arthur to ease his passing."

"No," Merlin said. "We have to save him."

He began packing food, and Krysia and Gaius exchanged a nervous look.

"You've already tried," Gaius said.

"The beast comes from the Old Religion," Merlin said. "The cure must come from there as well."

"There are not many left with such an art," Gaius said.

"But there is someone?" Krysia said. "You even said that the Old Religion is alive."

"There is an island," Merlin said, "beyond the White Mountains—"

"No!" Gaius said sharply.

Both Krysia and Merlin startled

"The Isle of the Blessed… You know it?" Merlin finished.

Gaius had recovered himself slightly, but Krysia knew there was something he wasn't saying.

"It was said to be the center of the Old Religion, the focus of its power."

"Why did you keep this from me?" Merlin said.

"I'm sure there's a good reason," Krysia said.

"Because it was too dangerous, Merlin," Gaius said.

Merlin was resolved once more, packing again.

"It's our only chance!" he said. "I have to find it!"

"And once you are there, what will you ask?" Gaius said.

"For Arthur to be saved."

"The Questing Beast chose Arthur. That means the Old Religion has decided his fate."

Krysia shivered, recalling what Gaius had said to Uther about Ygraine. Had the Questing Beast chosen her as well, or had it portended, even then, that it would take Arthur?

"Isn't there any way it can be undone?" Krysia whispered.

"It's not that simple!" Gaius said. "The High Priests have the power to mirror life and death, but there will be a price to pay. They will demand a life in return. Merlin, please, I beg of you."

"I'm sorry, Gaius," Merlin said. "Whatever the price is, I will pay it gladly."

Merlin left to gather more supplies, and Krysia and Gaius stood in silence. Finally, Krysia spoke.

"It's not that simple, is it?" Krysia whispered. "Will they let him choose who dies in Arthur's place?"

"Perhaps if he were an ordinary man," Gaius said. "I fear, however, that they will not accept his intent for sacrifice. His destiny—"

"Of course," Krysia whispered. "So…what do we do?"

"I suppose that depends on the price," Gaius said.

/-/

Merlin left the next morning at first light, and by evening, Arthur had become much worse. The people gathered for a vigil with candles in the night to say prayers for Arthur, to beg the gods for some miracle.

Gaius and Krysia left Gwen to look over Arthur for a rest, and they found Uther nearby, by the griffin statue overlooking the square, watching the vigil.

"Is there anything we can get your majesty?" Gaius said.

"The people have begun to say goodbye," Uther said, not looking around at them.

"He's not gone yet, sire," Gaius said.

"But he will not recover."

"Not without a miracle."

Uther looked at Krysia for a long moment, then turned back to the square.

"I don't believe in miracles," he whispered.

/-/

Krysia was re-plaiting her hair while Gaius prepared some more medicine to ease Arthur's pain. Her eyes stung from the lack of sleep, but she knew they had at least a day more before Merlin returned. Even with three of them taking watch in shifts, it seemed there was always more to do than time to do it.

"I have a sense there's something you haven't told me," Gaius said as he measured ingredients.

Krysia froze.

She'd almost forgotten the strange way Uther kept looking at her, with everything else they had to worry about. Leave it to Gaius to notice when she'd stopped noticing.

"I think the grief is shaking loose old memories," she said. "Uther called me by my mother's name in the square. I think I talked out of it alright, but he keeps looking at me like he's seen a ghost."

"I worried that might happen when I mentioned Ygraine to him," Gaius said. "Zosia and Ygraine were friends. In fact, if I remember rightly, it was Zosia who encouraged them to court. We will need to be extra cautious."

"Gaius, I don't know how to be more cautious than I've already been. Do you think he's going to eventually realize?"

Gaius hesitated, then said slowly, "I think it is possible that he will. It is more important than ever that you do not remember, Krysia."

"Yes."

"And you are not seen around magic."

"That's…harder."

Gaius gave her a very sad look. When she was a child, hard as it had been to contain her magic, it had been simpler than keeping her from other magical occurrences. With Merlin, there was only so much hiding they could do.

"Then we shall have to hope, should that day come, that Uther is willing to listen to reason."

Krysia closed her eyes, sure that there was no hope at all.

A/N:

YES, Uh oh indeed. As we get closer to the event of Gwaine, we're going to get trickles of information about Uther's past as well, and just how bad of an idea it was to hide Krysia in plain sight under his nose. What were those people even thinking?

To Like-a-Slasher-Film:

Oh, I wish I had recommendations for you, I really do. There really aren't a lot of options. That's part of the reason I decided to write my own. There just wasn't someone who'd done what I wanted to see yet. That, and I wanted to tweak the series ending to tickle my own fancy. But you just feel free to kick and scream, I totally understand. I'll try to keep things interesting in the meantime.

-C