In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young girl. Her name: Merlyn.
I decide to visit Morgana in her chambers since it's been a while since I'd had time with her, so I quickly put on my worn blue dress, tan boots and my red scarf before heading down the hall. I bump into Gwen and we walk in together.
"Look what's just arrived for you." Gwen tells her, as she walks in carrying a bouquet of lovely flowers.
"Who're they from?" I ask curiously, thinking about who would send her flowers.
"I don't know. Maybe Arthur." Gwen suggest and I feel a tug in my chest. A small part of me hoped it wasn't Arthur and that just made me feel guilty. Morgana is my friend. It's not like Arthur owes me anything, if he wants to send her flowers, he can. My mind wanders back to my 'destiny' and how I'm destined to marry Arthur and become Queen. The scary thing is, I don't think it would be awful.
"How disappointing." Morgana dismisses, which I'm secretly relieved that she isn't still interested in Arthur.
"Why? Who'd you like them to be from?" I ask her, curious as to who she is interested in now.
"I don't know. Tall, dark stranger?" Morgana answers and the three of us share a smile before I leave to tend to Arthur. The next morning, I learn that Morgana isn't waking up, so Gaius and I rush over, but he makes me wait downstairs with Gwen. After waiting 2 days, Gaius still doesn't know what is wrong with Morgana, and everyone is concerned. Gwen rushes up to Morgana after Gaius comes down the stairs.
"She's all but dead, Merlyn." He informs me sadly and I frown.
"No, you're going to cure her. You have to." I argue, not believing that my friend was really dying.
"Don't you start. I've tried everything." He explains and I bite my lip.
"I was wondering..." I trail off.
"What?" he questions, wondering what I'm thinking.
"Maybe I could..." I start but wait until a guard passes by. "...help." I finish emphasizing 'help'.
"If you're suggesting magic...have you forgotten what happened with Gwen's father? This is not a magical illness, it must be cured by conventional means. We keep trying. See if you can find me some fresh rosemary." Gaius instructs me and I sigh.
"There must be something more I can do." I plead, desperate to help save Morgana.
"And yarrow." He adds and I nod before heading out to find his ingredients. Later, I'm pacing in Arthur's chambers while he sits in a chair, with his hand propped up against his cheek as he stares into the fire.
"It's gonna be alright. It is. I know it is. She's gonna be absolutely..." I ramble nervous, wringing my hands as I pace behind him.
"Merlyn." Arthur groans, sounding irritable.
"What?" I ask him, stopping my pacing to stand behind his chair.
"You're making me anxious." He bites out and I
"But I'm not worried." I argue, moving my hands to my sides to keep from fiddling with them, as I walk across the room again.
"Then stop pacing." He retorts and I blush, muttering an apology as I sit down at the table and he looks over at me. With no other way to channel my nerves, I begin tapping my fingers on the table. After a minute of this, Arthur stands up from his chair and begins to pace in front of the fireplace. After Gaius is still unable to determine Morgana's illness, and with her time running out, Arthur calls for a mysterious man who claims to have a remedy that can cure all ills. I help carry in the man, Edwin's, equipment into a guest chamber in the palace, since Arthur volunteered me to help Edwin in any way I could. As I set down a large chest with designs on it, I observe his equipment, which doesn't look like the usual medical equipment in Gaius's chambers.
"Yes...it was all originally designed for alchemy." He informs me as he notices my gaze.
"Making gold?" I ask, confused and curious, on how alchemy equipment can be used for medicine.
"You have an interest in science?" He inquires, surprised I know the process.
"Well, science is knowledge." I simply reply, smiling as I take a closer look at the equipment.
"It has the answers to everything." Edwin agrees and I shake my head slightly.
"Maybe. It can't explain love." I argue, thinking about Arthur, and what he must be going through, with Morgana being so dear to him, practically his sister, dying and I wish I could do something to help him.
"So, you are in love?" He infers and I blush a deep scarlet, looking down, as I tuck a stray piece of hair that had fallen out of my braid, behind my ear.
"No. I mean feelings, emotions." I elaborate, my cheeks still tinted pink at my silly retort. Love. I don't love Arthur.. do I? I can't, he's a prince and I'm a servant. Even if the Dragon thinks we are destined.. Uther would never allow it. And if Arthur were to find out about my magic..
"You seem too bright to be just a servant." Edwin's statement drags me from my thoughts and I shrug.
"Oh, don't be fooled, I'm not that bright." I joke, smirking slightly, as I pick up a small box, which sounds like it has a rattling noise coming from inside it.
"Yes, we will need that. Now, we must hurry to the Lady Morgana. before it is too late." Edwin instructs, as he takes the box from my hands, puts it on top of the pile, and rushes out of the room, leaving me to carry the pile of boxes to Morgana's chambers. We walk through the square and up into Morgana's chambers, to see the King standing by the window and Arthur standing next to the door. I give him a sympathetic look quickly as I enter the room.
"Put my equipment over there." He orders and I glance around the room as I set the pile of boxes down where he instructed on the table. He asks the King to have everyone leave Morgana's chambers, leading to all of us patiently waiting down the staircase for any news, hoping for news of her recovery.
"Great news, Your Majesty. You will be glad to hear it is not an inflammation of the brain." Edwin announces as he hurries down the stairs to where we've all gathered.
"What is it then?" Uther asks him, concerned for the girl he sees as his daughter.
"It is a cerebral hemorrhage." Edwin informs him and I see Gaius uncross his arms.
"Hemorrhage? I don't think so." Gaius objects, having already dismissed that.
"I found this trace of blood in her ear." Edwin explains, showing us a bloody cloth.
"God in heaven." The King exclaims.
"The severity depends upon the site and volume of the bleed. If not treated, it can lead to coma, and eventually death." Edwin continues, glancing to Gaius and the King turns to him as Edwin finishes.
"How could you have missed this?" Uther asks Gaius, upset at the thought of Morgana dying because Gaius overlooked something, and disbelief that the court physician made a mistake.
"I didn't see any blood." He replies, defending his diagnosis of Morgana's condition.
"Please. Just thank the fates that you did not administer more rosemary to stimulate the circulation. Can you imagine what that might have done?" Edwin asks him, trying to appear to be sympathetic to Gaius's 'mistake', although I'm suspicious. Gaius does not make careless mistakes such as this. Uther turns to Gaius for an explanation on what rosemary would have done.
"It may have increased the bleed." Gaius elaborates.
"Is there a cure?" Uther asks, turning back to Edwin.
"See for yourself." Edwin answers and we walk up to Morgana's chambers to see her laying in bed, conscious and looking well. I smile at my friend, finally showing my worry and she gives me a small smile as Uther rushes to her side.
"Morgana, this is truly a miracle." Uther exclaims in relief, kissing her forehead. "I thought... I really thought..." He trails off.
"Oh, you won't get rid of me that easily." Morgana assures him, sitting up with a laugh.
"What exactly did he give you?" Gaius asks her, probably curious on how she's completely healed so quickly.
"I have no idea. But thank heaven he did." Morgana admits, and I bite my lip, suspicion of Edwin's methods creeping in the back of my mind. I decide to take a look around the guest chambers where Edwin is staying, so I hurriedly make my way to his chamber and knock on the door.
"Edwin?" I call out before I try the door, which is unlocked, and I walk inside to examine his equipment. I see the box that Edwin snatched from my hands earlier, and open it to see it full of beetles, which are all still. I close the box and notice an inscription on the cover of the box.
"Bebeode þe arisan ealdu." I read the incantation and I open the box to see the beetles moving.
"Very good." Edwin praises from behind me and I turn quickly knocking over a jar with powder in it. I hand him the box of beetles.
"Swefn." Edwin chants and the bugs go still, but he leaves the box open. "You have magic." Edwin states, looking at me.
"It wasn't me, I didn't do anything." I deny, wringing my hands nervously.
"Then how else did you bring them to life? Only magic can do such a thing. These little angels are how I cured Lady Morgana. They repaired the damage to her brain. They saved her life. Magic can be a force for good." He explains, closing the box as he finishes.
"I know." I tell him, nodding.
"Then why do you fear it?" He asks me, and I continue wringing my hands.
"Uther has banned it, it's not permitted." I inform him.
"Should I have let Morgana die?" He asks me and I shake my head.
"No." I answer quickly.
"People like us, we have a gift. Do you not think it should be used to make this a better world?" He asks me, and I bite my lip, pondering that question. Perhaps that's why I was chosen to help Arthur become the Once and Future King, to use my magic to make the kingdom a better place for people with magic as well as the people who unnecessarily fear it.
"Perhaps." I finally answer as I try to clear up the powder I spilled.
"Don't waste your time picking that up." Edwin tells me. "Feormian dærst rénian." He chants and the powder goes back into the jar, causing me to smile slightly. "Why waste a talent like that? And I can teach you." He offers me and I smirk.
"Rǽdan ásce géatan." I chant and the jar pours the powder into a bowl and I smile as I watch it pour.
"What do you use this for?" Edwin asks me and I immediately look up, not smiling any longer.
"Gaius doesn't like me to." I hurriedly answer.
"A gift like yours should be nurtured, practiced, enjoyed. You need someone to help you, to encourage you." He explains, walking towards me and I wring my hands again, my nervous habit.
"Perhaps." I reply noncommittally.
"Imagine what we could achieve, if we shared our knowledge." He continues and I bite my lip.
"I should be getting back." I inform him, quietly.
"Of course. But you must promise to keep our secret safe." He explains and I smile nervously.
"Of course." I reply, nodding slightly.
"People like you and I, we must look after each other." He informs me before I quickly leave the chambers. I head straight up to my chambers and I change into my nightgown, falling into bed. I wake up early the next morning and walk downstairs in a worn violet dress with long sleeves, my red scarf and tan boots, my hair down with two sections of hair from the front braided to the back. I notice Gaius sitting at the table, reading a book.
"Have you been up all night?" I ask him, as I walk into the kitchen to grab my tan jacket and bag.
"Yes, but it was worth it. Where are you going?" He asks me, noticing my bag and jacket.
"Er, I told Edwin I'd be up at dawn to collect some supplies." I inform him, hoping he isn't upset at my helping Edwin, who I suspect is up to something more than curing Morgana.
"Well, you better get a move on then." He simply replies and I hurry out the door.
3rd POV
Gaius enters Edwin's guest chamber, now knowing who the mysterious man is, and intending to confront him.
"Edwin. Your scar has healed well. I often wondered what happened to that poor young boy." Gaius admits, walking over to the table.
"I told you we've never met before." Edwin insists.
"I didn't realize who you were until I checked the records. You used your mother's maiden name. You are Gregor and Jaden's son." Gaius informs him and Edwin nods slightly.
"They were friends of yours." He states.
"They were sorcerers." Gaius corrects him.
"They practiced magic. And so did a lot of people back then, Gaius." Edwin objects.
"Uther will be furious when he finds out who you are." Gaius informs him.
"Fine. Fine. Shall we tell him? Let's go and tell him. Let's tell him. Let's tell him everything. Ooh, I know... We could also tell him about Merlyn." Edwin exclaims as he hurries over to the door.
"Merlyn?" Gaius asks him, sounding confused, but he's inwardly worried about his apprentice.
"You didn't know she was a sorceress? Ah. I wonder what Uther will do. Probably have her burnt." Edwin threatens and Gaius is shocked.
"You would betray another sorcerer?" Gaius asks him, not hiding his shock.
"You did. When you turned a blind eye and let my parents die at the hands of Uther! At least Merlyn doesn't have a son who will try to rescue her from the flames!" He exclaims, angrily.
"You're here to take revenge." Gaius surmises.
"And I have waited a long time." Edwin adds.
"You think I will sacrifice the King to save Merlyn?" Gaius asks, but he isn't sure on what he should do. Picking between the King and the girl he's come to care for as a daughter.
"Think about it, Gaius. But if I find out that you have told one other person, including the girl, I will go straight to Uther." Edwin threatens and the door opens, causing them to turn.
Merlyn POV
"I got your provisions." I inform Edwin as I walk in, handing him my bag, before I notice Gaius.
"Oh, thank you, Merlyn. Gaius was just reminiscing about old times, weren't you, Gaius?" Edwin explains and I look at Gaius, smiling.
"Yes." He agrees.
"But now, I must get back to work." Edwin informs us and we leave. In the corridor, I turn to Gaius.
"I'd better get on with my errands." I inform him as I walk slightly ahead of him.
"Yes, of course, you must." Gaius agrees, stopping in the corridor and I turn around to face him.
"Do you want me to get you anything?" I ask him, referring to medical supplies.
"No, I'm fine. Just do what Edwin asks." Gaius instructs me and I smile before continuing down the hall.
3rd POV
Gaius checks on Merlyn, to make sure she's asleep before he goes down the Tunnel Corridor to the Dragon's Cave with a torch in his hand.
"Hello? It is me, Gaius." He calls out and the dragon flies up to the rock by the entrance.
'How old a man can become and yet change so little.'
"You have not changed either." Gaius comments.
'Twenty years, almost a lifetime to make the short journey back to where you began.'
"I'm not here for myself." Gaius explains.
'The girl?'
"You know about Merlyn?" Gaius asks the dragon, surprised.
'You have struggled against her destiny, but you can no more prevent it than she can.'
"So, it is true then?" Gaius asks, referring to Merlyn's destiny.
'Oh yes. She and the young Pendragon one day will unite the land of Albion. Their children will rule over Camelot for generations.'
"But she is in danger." Gaius protests.
'No. It is my jailer who stands in peril.'
"Must Uther be sacrificed for the girl?" Gaius asks, searching desperately for another way.
'Their time cannot come until his is past.'
"But is that time now?" Gaius inquires and the dragon chuckles darkly.
'That is of your choosing.'
"I will not choose between them." Gaius states adamantly.
'Then turn a blind eye. That is, after all, your talent.'
Merlyn POV
After I found out that Uther has retired Gaius and replaced him with Edwin, I hurried to Gaius's chambers.
"Gaius! Uther cannot do this to you. You tried to save Morgana." I exclaim, outraged that he is being sacked for trying to help, as I stride to the other end of the table.
"Uther's not to blame." Gaius corrects me as he places a bag inside of a chest.
"I will speak to Edwin, you can work together." I reply quickly.
"No, you mustn't do anything." He objects, continuing to fill the chest.
"I can't stand by and do nothing." I retort, upset at the thought of Gaius losing his position.
"Uther's right. It's time I stepped down." Gaius explains, sadly, and I notice him packing.
"What are you doing?" I ask him, as I walk closer, wringing my hands, thinking the worst as to why he's packing his things.
"I cannot stay when there's no longer a use for me." He informs me and I shake my head.
"You're not leaving?" I ask him, my voice shaky with emotions.
"I believe it's for the best." Gaius assures me and I bite my lip.
"Then I will come with you." I state confidently.
"Merlyn, you're like a daughter to me. I never expected such a blessing so late in life." He admits and I feel a tear fall down my face.
"And you are more than a father to me." I admit, my voice breaking.
"Then, as a father, I must tell you, you must remain here. Camelot is where you belong." He informs me, walking closer to stand in front of me.
"But you belong here too." I whisper sadly.
"Not anymore. Merlyn, you must promise me you will not waste your gifts." He instructs me, placing his hands on my shoulders and I shake my head.
"My gifts mean nothing without you to guide me." I argue, my eyes glassy as I struggle to hold back my tears.
"You have a great destiny. If I have had a small part to play in that, then I'm pleased." He informs me, his own eyes glassy as well.
"There is so much I have yet to learn. I need you to teach me." I plead, urging him to stay in Camelot.
"I'm afraid I am leaving here tonight, Merlyn. And there's nothing you can do or say that can persuade me otherwise." He tells me, his voice sounding confident.
"I will not let this happen." I reply, determined to find a way to stop him from leaving, and I hurry out of the chambers. My tears fall in a rush as I walk down the corridor and I don't bother wiping them until I reach the training grounds. Arthur walks up to me, probably preparing to scold me for being late, but stops when he notices my state. I sniffle before I gather the training equipment, not having said a word, until Arthur is practicing his sword work on a training dummy.
"I can't understand why Uther would sack him over one mistake." I voice my disbelief to Arthur, as I watch him practice.
"A mistake that nearly killed Morgana. Besides, it wasn't the only one." Arthur elaborates, turning to me, giving me a look of sympathy before turning back to his training.
"What do you mean?" I inquire curiously, as Arthur swings his sword.
"Edwin said his work was riddled with errors." Arthur informs me. turning back to face me, and I shake my head.
"That's nonsense." I object, knowing that Gaius doesn't make mistakes. He's the thoroughest physician in Camelot.
"No one wants Gaius to go, but my father's made his decision. There's nothing anyone can do." Arthur explains to me, before sticking his sword in the ground and walking off, leaving me to stand there before I hurry off the field. I rush up to an old battle mount tower, where I know I will be alone and I finally allow the tears to fall from my sapphire eyes as I realize that I will lose my mentor and my father figure. I let out a sob as I think of living in Camelot without him. How he's been a constant friend and teacher since I've arrived, whether it was magic or medicine he was teaching, I've learned so much from him and I never expected to have to say goodbye. I continue to sob until I decide to stop feeling sorry for myself and do something about it. I pull myself together, my head held high as I vow to find a way to stop him from leaving and I descend the staircase to see Arthur rush over to me.
"Merlin! My father has Morgana's illness! We must find Edwin!" Arthur exclaims, causing me to drop the laundry I had picked up on my way to my hiding place, and I hurry to Edwin's guest chambers, entering without knocking to see Gaius standing against a pillar, surrounded by a circle of fire.
"What are you doing?" I ask Edwin, angry for what he's done to the man I consider to be my father.
"He was trying to kill the King. I couldn't let him." Gaius informs me.
"I can rule the kingdom now. And with you at my side, we can be all-powerful." He offers, reaching a hand out to me.
"Release him!" I exclaim.
"It's your loss, Merlyn." Edwin states before gesturing for an axe and throwing it at me. I feel my magic warm it's way throughout my body, and I know my eyes change to their amber gold, as I stop the axe just before it reaches my face.
"Swilte, Merlyn." He chants, but my magic easily overpowers his and I use my magic to send the axe to kill Edwin, causing the flames to disappear and I breath heavily, staring at Edwin's body for a brief minute before turning to Gaius.
"Are you alright?" I ask him, my voice thick with emotions.
"Yes. Thank you Merlyn." He breathes out, appreciative and I nod before grabbing the box of beetles.
"What are you doing?" Gaius asks me, confused.
"Uther's ill; the same thing Morgana had. Edwin said he used these to cure Morgana. Maybe we can too." I suggest opening the box, showing Gaius the bugs.
"Elanthia beetles." Gaius informs me.
"They're magical?" I inquire.
"Yes. They can be enchanted to enter the brain, feed on it until they devour the person's very soul. You must go to him." Gaius explains before we rush to the King's chambers. Gaius stands next Uther while I stand at the foot of the bed, uncomfortable at being in the King's chambers.
"How do we get the beetle out before it kills him?" I ask Gaius as we stare down at the ill King.
"It can only be magic." Gaius informs me and I bite my lip nervously, desperate to wring my hands but can't due to the box of Elanthia beetles currently in my hands.
"We can't use magic on Uther, he'd kill us." I argue.
"We don't have a choice." Gaius argues back.
"Gaius!" I exclaim, not knowing what to do and feeling wrong for suggesting using my magic on Uther, the King who would execute me if he ever found out I had used it on him, even to save his life.
"There are times when it is necessary. It is your right." Gaius assures me
"I don't know how." I whisper, nervously.
"If you don't, he's going to die." Gaius informs me and in that moment Arthur's face appears in my mind. I may not care for Uther, and he'd kill me without blinking if he found out about my magic, but Arthur would be devastated if his father dies. I would never forgive myself if I hurt Arthur that deeply. I move to sit on the bed and I place my hands over Uther's ears.
"Bebeode þe arisan ealdu. Áblinnen." I chant, commanding the beetle to make its way out of the ear and into my hand. I think of Arthur as I wait for the beetle. Arthur is the reason I'm saving Uther. I care too much about Arthur to see him suffer the loss of his father, even if his father executes magic users.
"What's happening?" Gaius asks me, and I pull my hands back to show him I'm holding the still bug in my hand.
"Has anyone ever told you, you're a genius?" Gaius asks me, glancing at the bug in my hand and my face.
"You certainly haven't." I retort, smirking at him and we both chuckle softly before I glance over at Uther to see him stirring. Once Uther is better, the royal court is gathered in the throne room to honor Gaius. I'm standing next to Gwen, wearing a deep red dress with my tan boots and my hair in a braided up-do.
"I, my family, and my kingdom are deeply indebted to you. And in honor of this, I not only reinstate you as court physician, but henceforth, you are a free man of Camelot." Uther announces, handing Gaius a roll of parchment and the court applauds with me grinning. Gaius and I walk through the lower town, heading back to his chambers
"Of course, it's all ridiculous. I didn't save Uther, you did." He argues as we continue to walk and I shake my head.
"No, no. For once, I'm happy for someone else to take the credit. You were prepared to sacrifice your life to save me." I state, referring to why he was with Edwin in the guest chambers.
"Where do you get that from?" Gaius asks me, confused and I stop.
"I thought..." I trail off.
"No. I didn't do anything. You saved me and you saved Uther. Maybe you are a genius." He assures me and I smile.
"You think so?" I ask him, wondering if I was good enough for this important destiny, not for the first time. The dragon told me that I'd be Arthur's wife. The Queen of Camelot. Am I really that deserving to be a Queen? To rule over people, making decisions for them and making sure they're safe? Could I make tough decisions for sake of Camelot? What made me so special that Arthur would ever want to marry me?
"Well, almost. One day." Gaius states, interrupting my thoughts and I smile at him, glad that I wouldn't face my destiny alone.