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'm on a hunting party with Arthur and the knights. I've learned from last time so I'm dressed in a white fitted tunic, brown trousers, my tan boots, and tan jacket with my hair in a tight braid. Arthur and the knights are all armed with crossbows. Arthur sends two of his knights around another way, while I stay with him.
"Merlyn." He whispers to me and I look over at him.
"What is it" I question, wanting to know what we're hunting, as I walk closer to him carrying the bags.
"I don't know. We'll surround it. I want you to go in there and flush it out." He informs me and I gape at him.
"You want me to go in there? You just said you don't know what it is. It could be dangerous." I suggest, stunned at him sending me in to a possibly dangerous situation.
"Let's hope so. Now go." He tells me, placing a hand on my shoulder and I sigh before walking through the woods, picking up a large stick I walk into a clearing and see a unicorn and I immediately drop the stick. I approach it, marveling in its beauty but I turn when I hear the hunters coming and I turn back to the unicorn, eyes wide in fear for it.
"Go. Go! Please, go. Shh. They're gonna kill you. Please, go!" I beg it, trying to save it before turning to Arthur. "Arthur, no!" I plead, but he shoots the unicorn and I go to it, stroking its head while it dies.
"I'm sorry. Sorry." I apologize softly, tears brimming in my eyes as I watch the beautifully peaceful creature die.
"Ha-ha! A unicorn!" Arthur laughs out as he hurries over to it and I turn to him.
"What have you done?" I ask incredulously, not believing that Arthur killed this creature for sport.
"Don't be such a girl, Merlyn." He retorts and I see a white cloaked man standing behind Arthur in the woods. "What are you looking at?" He asks me, turning and the two knights do the same, but the man is gone. Arthur saws off the unicorn's horn and I'm silent the whole ride back to Camelot. We walk into the throne room, during a council meeting, with Arthur in the lead.
"Father! A unicorn's horn to grace the walls of Camelot." Arthur announces as I walk in behind him.
"Magnificent. It's the first one I've seen." Uther admits as he takes the horn from the pillow I'm holding. "Gaius, look at this." He remarks, turning back to face the council.
"It is very impressive, My Lord." Gaius responds hesitantly,
"What is it, Gaius? Speak your mind." The king instructs him, sounding rather annoyed at Gaius's hesitation.
"Unicorns are rare and mystical creatures. There is a legend that says that bad fortune will come to anyone who slays one." He informs Uther, glancing at Arthur who snickers and I bite my lip.
"Nonsense. We will be the envy of every kingdom." Uther argues, placing a hand on Arthur's shoulder, and not listening to Gaius's input as he puts the horn back on the pillow, ignoring Gaius's concerns.
"I'm pleased you like it." Arthur replies, smiling as his father walks away and I frown before Gaius and I share a look. We're walking through the Square, with me wringing my hands, before I sigh and look over at Gaius.
"I don't understand how Arthur can have taken any pleasure from killing the unicorn." I comment, frowning as I think about how happy he was with his kill.
"Arthur is a hunter. It's in his blood. Whereas you are something entirely different." Gaius explains and let go of my hands.
"It was the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. I wish you'd been there." I tell him, stopping our walk, and turning to him, smiling slightly as I picture the unicorn while it was still alive, its white coat contrasting to the forest.
"It's a rare privilege. Alas, there are few unicorns still alive." Gaius informs me and I sigh, thinking about how many unicorns are left, now that Arthur killed one of them.
"You try telling that to Arthur." I mutter, irritated and Gaius nods understandingly.
"I can imagine it would be difficult." He remarks and I smirk as I head back to Gaius's to change into a plum dress with my tan boots and a tan braided belt before going to Arthur's chambers. I walk in and lean against the window sill, staring out the window.
"My horse threw a shoe. Take it to the blacksmith. Make sure he does a good job. And when you've done that, you can polish my s..." I hear Arthur list my chores, but I don't turn around to face him.
"...saddle. Merlyn? Have you listened to a word I've said?" He asks me, sounding annoyed and I turn around to look at him as he sits in his chair and I nod. "You've got a face like a wounded bear ever since we got back from that hunting trip. Don't tell me you're still upset about the unicorn." He remarks as he stands up and I wring my hands.
"I don't think you should have killed it." I admit, looking at my hands.
"Oh, really? And why is that?" He inquires as he walks over to his bed and puts on his boots.
"It was... It was doing no harm. What purpose did you serve by killing it?" I question, looking over at him, my voice slightly louder than before.
"We were hunting. That's what you do. Would you have me bring it home as a pet?" He retorts and I roll my eyes before looking out the window again. "Look at this." He exclaims and I walk over to where he's standing.
"What?" I ask him, confused on his exclamation.
"Do you know what that is?" He inquires, pointing to something on the floor next to his bed and I knit my brows.
"No." I admit and he sighs, exasperated and I bite my lip.
"Rat droppings. My chambers are infested. You need to spend less time worrying about unicorns and more time worrying about rats." He informs me and someone knocks on the door. "Enter!" He calls out and a guard enters.
"My Lord, the King requests your service as a matter of urgency." The guard explains and Arthur looks to me as he walks to the door.
"Find that rat." He instructs and I roll my eyes once he's left the room. Later, I'm in Gaius's chambers as he's running tests on the dead crops.
"Any ideas what caused the crops to die?" I inquire, wondering if he's made any progress on the cause.
"I've yet to complete all the tests. No disease I have heard of could spread through the entire kingdom in a single night." He informs me as he pours something in a small jar and I frown in confusion.
"What could kill all the plants other than a disease?" I ask him, not having any suggestions.
"It is not killing all the plants. The trees and hedges around the crop fields are unharmed. Unfortunately, you can't eat trees and hedges." He explains, putting the jar onto the work bench.
"It's only killing plants we can eat?" I surmise as he pours another liquid into the jar.
"It appears so." He agrees as he swirls the liquids in the jar.
"If it's not a disease, it must be magic." I suggest, not knowing any other possibilities for the dead crops, and he puts down the jar again.
"We can't assume that, Merlyn. Perhaps there is something in the soil and water that can explain it. I can't tell the King it's caused by sorcery until I'm completely certain." He informs me as he continues running his tests on the crop samples. I'm walking through the lower town when I pass Gwen as she heads to the wall along the outer wall.
"Give it back to me. It's mine." One villager argues, referring to food.
"It's not yours..." The other denies, as they continue to argue over food.
"Merlyn. Is it true what they're saying about the crops? They're all dead?" Gwen asks me as she stands by the water pump, worried and I nod, wringing my hands.
"Afraid so. We may have to start tightening our belts." I inform her, leaning against the stone wall.
"I'm sure Arthur will think of something." She assures me and I smile slightly.
"Well, and if he doesn't, I will." I reply and I continue walking towards the castle.
"Merlyn!" Gwen exclaims and I walk back to her to see her pumping for water, but instead of water, sand is pouring into the bucket. I rush off to inform Arthur of the sand before taking a bucket of it back to Gauis's chambers and hurry to my chambers. I retrieve my book of spells from my hiding spot under a loose floorboard and begin trying any spell to reverse the sand back into water.
"Gréot gecymen, lecan. Gecymen gé drýe wæter." I chant, but abruptly stop when I hear Gaius approach. "I was... I was just, er..." I stumble over an excuse for what I was doing.
"I was hoping you might be trying to turn it back into water. I know I've cautioned against using magic, but if ever there was a time to use your talents, it's now." He informs me as he moves to sit on a bench and I sigh, frustrated at my lack of progress.
"Well, I wish I knew how. I've tried everything. If it is magic, it's more powerful magic than I possess." I reply as I flip through my book of spells, trying to find a spell that will work until it gets dark. I walk into the square wearing a simple lavender dress and my tan boots with my hair down with my side fringe braided in the back.
"Merlyn." Arthur calls and I stop, glancing over to see him approach. "You do realize there's a curfew?" He asks me and I nod, wringing my hands absentmindedly as I notice that he's wearing his red jacket that I love seeing him in and I blush before I remember he asked me a question.
"Yeah, I was in your chambers, hunting for the rat." I inform him, knowing I needed to get rid of that rat soon or he'd never let me hear the end of it.
"Did you find it?" He inquires as he reaches me and I shake my head.
"No." I answer, biting my lip, knowing he was going to have something to say about my failure to catch the rodent in his bedchambers.
"So you have been outwitted by a rat?" He questions seriously and I giggle slightly by his seriousness and I notice his lip quirk up slightly before I calm myself.
"They do say rats are very intelligent." I defend and Arthur rolls his eyes.
"More intelligent than you, it would seem. Go home. It'd be embarrassing to have to lock up my own servant for breaking the curfew." He instructs me and I roll my eyes at him playfully as Arthur looks at something off to the right. "What was that?"
"What?" I inquire, looking over to where Arthur's gaze is, not seeing anything. Arthur taps my shoulder and begins to run towards where he was looking, with me following closely behind him. Arthur jumps over the Courtyard corridor ledge as we run, chasing whatever Arthur saw down the upper corridor, down a flight of stairs, and down the wrought iron stairway to the burial vaults, Gaius and I snuck into, when we lose the object of our pursuit. Arthur begins to sign to me and I nod, eyebrow raised as Arthur walks away I try to follow.
"That means you go the other way and cut him off." Arthur translates his signing and I nod, now understanding what he instructed me to do.
"Okay." I respond, heading in the opposite way where we both end up back at the wrought iron stairway, not passing anyone. I see a silhouette of a man briefly as he rounds a corner. Arthur instructs me to go the other way again and we end up back at the wrought iron stairway again.
"Where is he?" Arthur wonders out loud and I glance over at him, before I look around again, confused.
"I didn't see anyone." I admit, thinking back to that silhouette I thought I saw.
"He was right here! Don't tell me you let him get past you." Arthur scolds and I wring my hands, worried for him.
"Arthur, no one passed me." I insist, trying to figure out what is going on with him, and that seems to make it worse.
"Are you blind?!" Arthur exclaims and I roll my eyes in annoyance at his outburst.
"Are you looking for me?" We hear and both turn to see the man I saw in the woods after Arthur killed the unicorn. "I am Anhora, Keeper of the Unicorns." He introduces himself, causing Arthur and I to share a skeptical look.
"Camelot is under curfew. What's your business here?" Arthur asks him, and I wring my hands, trying to ignore the feeling that something bad was going to happen.
"I have come to deliver a message." Anhora explains vaguely to Arthur.
"And who is this message for?" He questions, irritated at the vague answer.
"It is for you, Arthur Pendragon." Anhora responds and I bite my lip to hide my worry.
"Is it you who's responsible for killing our crops, turning our water into sand?" Arthur inquires, stepping forward and I release a deep breath.
"You alone are responsible for the misfortune that has befallen Camelot." Anhora explains and I wince, knowing that Arthur will not react well to that statement.
"Me?! You think I'd bring drought and famine upon my own people?" Arthur exclaims, sounding offended at Anhora's explanation.
"When you killed the unicorn, you unleashed a curse. For this, Camelot will suffer greatly." Anhora assures him and I suck in a breath, now understanding what Gaius mentioned earlier about bad fortune to those who slay a unicorn.
"If you have put a curse on Camelot, you will lift it, or you will pay with your life." Arthur threatens him coldly and I wring my hands as I silently watch their exchange.
"The curse was not my doing." Anhora amends, denying his involvement in casting the curse.
"Undo the curse or face execution." Arthur repeats, stepping forward.
"Only you can do that. You will be tested." Anhora explains to him and I don't like the sound of Arthur being 'tested'.
"You're under arrest." Arthur informs him, reaching for him, but Anhora disappears and Arthur stumbles.
"Until you have proven yourself, and made amends for killing the unicorn, the curse will not be lifted. If you fail any of these tests, Camelot will be damned for all eternity." Anhora warns from his place on the wrought iron stairway behind us before disappearing again. After the warning from Anhora, I head back to Gaius's to inform him of what I heard the next morning. I hurry to dress in a pale blue short sleeved dress with my tan boots, wearing my curls loose and I sit at the table while he stands in the kitchen.
"And you believe what this Anhora said about the curse to be true?" He questions after I tell him everything Anhora said the night before.
"Well, you said there's a legend that misfortune comes to anyone who slays a unicorn. It makes sense." I explain as Gaius places a bowl with a small amount of food in it and I look at it disappointed.
"Not much for breakfast, I'm afraid. We're down to our last few scraps of food." Gaius informs me and I frown before I remember something.
"Where did you get the water to make the tea?" I ask as I raise my cup towards him.
"Fortunately, for both of us, you forgot to empty your bath yesterday." He explains as I take a sip, but I spit it back into the cup, disgusted when he finishes.
"You're making tea from my bath water?" I inquire, staring at him like he's suddenly grown another head.
"It's not so bad. Perhaps a little... soapy." He defends and I sigh, putting down my cup. "What does Arthur think about the curse?" Gaius asks me, changing the subject and I scoff.
"He doesn't believe it's his fault. He's convinced Anhora's responsible for it." I remark, rolling my eyes at Arthur's denial.
"If you do not wish to drink bath water, you better make sure Arthur sees sense." Gaius tells me and I smile slightly before I head to Arthur's chambers to start my chores for the day. I'm folding Arthur's clothes in the corner while he's sitting on the bed, putting his boots on.
"That... rat! It's eaten through my boot, look at it!" Arthur exclaims and I turn around to see him standing behind me with his finger through the hole in his boot.
"I guess the rat must be as hungry as the rest of us." I quip, smirking and Arthur rolls his eyes.
"You think this is funny?" He inquires and I pretend to think for a minute as I fold one of his tunics.
"Moderately." I admit, shrugging. Arthur places his boot on the table.
"Get it mended. Find that rat." He instructs before walking over to get his sword belt.
"Have you given any more thought to what Anhora said last night?" I ask him as I walk to a dresser and put his clothes away.
"Ah, well, he may have escaped last night, but at least we now know who we're looking for. I told my father I'll find this Anhora and put an end to it." Arthur assures me and I bite my lip before going to where his other boot is and carrying it to the other one.
"What if he was telling the truth about the curse?" I question, knowing I have to bring it up, as he grabs a different pair of boots and walking back to the table.
"You think I'm responsible for bringing suffering upon my own people?" He asks me, sounding offended and possibly slightly hurt, and I shake my head quickly, turning to look at him.
"No, not deliberately. When you killed the unicorn, I saw Anhora in the forest." I admit to him and I hear him stop putting on his boots.
"Why didn't you say anything?" He questions annoyed, and I turn to face him, wringing my hands.
"It was just for a second, and then he disappeared. I didn't even...well, I-I thought I was seeing things. But he was definitely there." I explain, insisting that Anhora was in fact there when Arthur killed the unicorn.
"That doesn't actually prove anything." Arthur dismisses and I frown.
"Doesn't it make you think he might be telling the truth?" I question, irritated with his denial of any involvement, even unintentionally.
"Because he was skulking about in the forest? That makes me trust him even less." Arthur informs me and I sigh in frustration.
"Why would Anhora appear in Camelot, and then lie to you?" I inquire, wanting to hear him explain that away.
"We had him cornered. He was trying to talk his way out of it by blaming me." He brushes off and I roll my eyes at that explanation.
"Arthur, he can disappear into thin air. He didn't have to talk his way out of anything." I remind him with a slight annoyed edge to my voice.
"My father has warned me about sorcerers like him. They will not rest until our kingdom is destroyed." Arthur retorts, standing up, with his arms tense at his sides.
"Well, I believe he's telling the truth." I remark, crossing my arms, as I allow my gaze to meet his.
"Then you're a fool. You cannot trust a single word a sorcerer says. You'd do well to remember that." He comments and I ignore the hurt in my chest at that comment. Not only did he call me a fool, but he basically told me not to trust sorcerers or anyone with magic without knowing I, in fact, have magic. "Now, I think I've figured out what Anhora's next move is going to be, and when he makes it, we're going to be waiting." He informs me as he puts on his brown jacket and grabs his sword belt before we head to the grain store, where I lean against a pillar with my eyes closed until Arthur snaps his fingers in front of my face, causing me to open my eyes.
"Don't you worry about keeping watch, Merlyn. You just make yourself comfortable." He mutters sarcastically and I sigh, smacking my dry, chapped lips.
"Stop smacking your lips. It's annoying." Arthur retorts as he walks towards the door and I roll my eyes.
"I'm thirsty." I defend myself and he turns back to face me.
"We're all thirsty, Merlyn." He comments and I sigh, knowing he's right, as I walk over to the door I'm supposed to be guarding.
"Pst!" I hear from behind me and turn to see Arthur motioning for me to come over to him. "Someone's coming." He explains before drawing his sword and I follow behind him into the grain store. We see the intruder's silhouette and Arthur motions to me.
"You go over there and come in." He mouths and I nod as I walk over to where he gestured.
"Show yourself, before I run you through." Arthur orders as he raises his sword. I look around for a weapon and pick up a scythe hook while a man edges around the corner with a shovel in one hand and a sack of grain in the other.
"Who are you?" Arthur asks him, clearly surprised it wasn't Anhora.
"My name is... My name is..." The man stutters, probably scared of the consequences of stealing the grain.
"Speak up!" Arthur interrupts the man's stuttering, growing impatient.
"My name is Evan, My Lord." The man finally informs Arthur and I step out of my hiding space.
"I see you think you can help yourself to our grain reserves. My father has order that looters be executed." Arthur explains to him and the man is clearly upset at that information.
"Please, My Lord. I- I do not steal for myself. I have three children they have not eaten for two days. They are hungry." Evan informs him, and I frown at the thought of children starving.
"It's the same for everyone." Arthur responds, a solemn look on his face.
"I- I know that it is wrong to steal. I couldn't bear to see them starve." He admits sadly, lowering his gaze to the floor.
"And could you bear for your children to see you be executed?" Arthur inquires and Evan shakes his head, looking close to tears. "Then you should go home. If you're caught stealing again, I will not spare you." Arthur tells him, moving out of the way and glancing at me as a smile appears on my cracking lips.
"Yes, My Lord. Thank you." Evan replies gratefully as he puts down the stolen grain and and shovel before he starts to leave the grain store.
"Wait." Arthur calls out before picking up the sack of grain and tossing it to Evan. "Use it sparingly. It might be the last food you and your family get for some time." He instructs him kindly and I feel my heart swell with pride at the simple, kind gesture.
"You have shown yourself to be merciful and kind, My Lord. This will bring its own reward." Evan informs Arthur before leaving the grain store. The next day, water came back. I head to Arthur's chambers wearing a dusted rose colored dress with a tan belt and my tan boots with my hair in a loose braid. As soon as I get there, Arthur and I both quickly drink large mugs of water.
"Never knew water could taste so good." Arthur comments after he finishes drinking and I nod.
"My throat was so dry, I thought I wouldn't be able to talk." I comment after I finish my own mug.
"Well, at least some good would've come from the drought, then." Arthur jokes and I roll my eyes as I reach for the pitcher.
"More?" I ask him and he motion toward his mug, so I fill it.
"The sand's disappeared. The water returned to the well. It doesn't make any sense." Arthur remarks and I clear my throat as I turn around, walking away from the table.
"I suppose you have some explanation for this, Merlyn? Let's hear it." Arthur encourages and I turn to face him again, holding the pitcher of water.
"Anhora said you would be tested. And last night, in the grain store, you let that villager go. And he said it would bring its own reward." I remind him, thinking it was suspicious that 'Evan' spoke like he knew it would bring a reward and now water is back.
"He was merely grateful, and so he should have been." Arthur dismisses, not seeing the connection.
"Maybe that was your first test. You passed it, so the curse has begun to lift. Perhaps this is your reward. I know you don't have to listen to me, I am just your servant after all." I comment and notice his slight wince at that, knowing he still felt bad about how he treated me when Sophia was here. "If you're tested again, you have a chance to end your people's suffering. I know you want that more than anything. Perhaps we should seek Anhora out." I suggest, placing the pitcher on the table, hoping he might see reason and agree. He looks to consider it for a moment before placing his mug on the table.
"I cannot negotiate with sorcerers. My father wouldn't hear of it." Arthur refuses and I bite my lip.
"Then it's probably best you don't tell him." I add in, leaning forward, smirking and he narrows his eyes as he looks at me a moment.
"I must go check on the guard." Arthur informs me as he stands and heads for the door. "See if you can find me some food." He calls over his shoulder before he walks out, leaving me alone.
"Find some food!" I mutter in disbelief before I see the rat climb out of Arthur's boot. "Swealt déor." I chant and the rat squeals as the spell I cast kills it. I take it to the kitchen and have Esther, the chef, cook Arthur a meat stew. Arthur walks into his room, after having been in the lower town with Morgana, and I pour some meat stew into a bowl.
"Lost my appetite." He comments and I frown, glancing down at the bowl of food and back up to Arthur.
"You have to eat something." I plead, giving him a look that reaffirms what I told him and he shakes his head.
"I can't. Not while my people are starving. Do you really believe I'm responsible for the curse?" He inquires and I nod slowly.
"I'm afraid so." I admit and we both glance down, not looking at each other for a moment.
"We're going to the forest, first thing in the morning. Maybe we can pick up Anhora's trail. Whatever it takes." He states determined and I smile at how much he cares for his people, doing whatever it takes to lift the curse and bring back the food.
"Okay, but you have to eat. You won't be able to help anyone if you're too weak to pass the test." I encourage, smiling as he leans forward and I turn back to move the pot to a dresser as he takes a bite.
"What kind of meat is this? It has a very strange texture." Arthur comments as he chews the meat.
"It's pork." I answer, trying not to laugh at the faces he's making while chewing.
"This isn't pork. It's far too stringy." Arthur argues, thinking a moment. "What is it? It's, erm..." Arthur trails off before putting his spoon down. "It's rat, isn't it?" He surmises and I nod.
"Try not to think about it." I suggest, chuckling as Arthur takes a large drink from his mug.
"Look at me. I'm being rude. Here I am, stuffing my face with this delicious stew when you're hungry, too." Arthur mocks, before standing up and walking over to me. "Come on. Take a seat." He tells me, leading me to the chair and sitting me down.
"Eat." Arthur instructs and I grimace before taking a bite, only to be slightly surprised by the taste.
"Mmm. It's actually pretty tasty." I remark, having expected it to be worse than it actually was, but it was still stringy and I knew that it was rat.
"Mm. Well, I'm glad you like it. Because..." He he trails off as he fetches the pot of stew. "...there's plenty more." He assures me and someone knocks on the door immediately after.
"Enter." Arthur calls out before the door opens and we see who it was. "Morgana?" He questions, wondering what she was doing at his chambers.
"I hate to ask, but I was wondering if you had anything to eat..." She inquires as she leans against the door and Arthur pauses before turning to me and we share a mischievous smile before offering her some of the rat stew. After Morgana heads back to her chambers, Arthur and I trek into the forest to look for Anhora.
"I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking for." I admit as I look around my designated area while Arthur searches through his.
"You're looking for footprints or broken branches. Anything that would indicate someone passed that..." Arthur informs me as I pick up my skirt and step over a tree root to avoid it getting caught like when I met Lancelot.
"Merlyn! Merlyn! He's here!" Arthur yells and by the time I make my way back to his clearing, Arthur's gone.
"Arthur?!" I call out, quickly glancing around, not seeing him anywhere. I wander through the forest, searching for Arthur, who left me in a clearing with no idea how to track someone.
"Arthur?! Arthur?!" I continue calling out until I find him standing alone in a clearing. The trek back to Camelot is silent, at least on Arthur's part. He doesn't even speak to tell me to shut up, which is when I know something must have happened with Anhora, and not something good. Once back, I walk into Gaius's chambers and we sit at the table as I tell him about what happened in the forest.
"I know Arthur's stubborn and pig-headed and annoying, but he cares about his people. More than he cares about himself. He will not forgive himself for making his people suffer." I inform Gaius, my voice filled with concern for Arthur and his mindset after failing Anhora's test.
"You must make sure he doesn't do anything rash." Gaius chimes in and I nod, wringing my hands.
"The mood he's in, I don't know what he's gonna to do." I confide, honestly not knowing what Arthur would do, which terrifies me to no end, and I look down at my hands.
"Ready?" Gaius questions, changing the subject when he notices my worry and I look up at him.
"Sure they're not poisonous?" I ask him, unsure of whether or not I actually want to do this.
"Quite certain." He confirms and we both pick up giant insects. "They say they taste like chicken. Unless we're to starve, we must hope they're right." He explains before we both bite into the crunchy insects, both making faces at the sickening crunching sound the bugs make.
"This tastes nothing like chicken. This is worse than the rat stew!" I mutter, mouth full of beetle. After that disgusting 'meal' I head to Arthur's chambers and we stand on the balcony, watching the people queuing in the square.
"They do not know yet know there is worse to come." Arthur comments as he leans against the railing and I frown in confusion.
"What do you mean?" I ask softly, leaning against the balcony railing like Arthur.
"My father is going to stop distributing food to the people. They are to be left to starve. I had a chance to lift the curse. And I failed them." Arthur remarks, beating himself up for his mistake and I sigh.
"You weren't to know you were being tested." I assure him, trying to ease his guilt.
"My people are starving. Camelot is on the verge of collapse. And it is all my doing." He replies, his voice laced with guilt and his face so sad, it breaks my heart. I hurry off to the forest, insistent on speaking with Anhora.
"Anhora! Show yourself! Anhora!" I call out, desperate to reverse Camelot's curse and get my Arthur back, even if he is a prat most of the time.
"You wanted to talk with me?" He questions after I had started to walk away.
"I've come to seek your help. The people are starving. They will soon be dead." I inform him, hoping to appeal to his care for the innocent people of Camelot who are dying.
"You must believe me when I say it gives me no pleasure to see your people suffering." He assures me, walking forward to stand in front of me.
"If it pains you, put an end to it." I remark, not understanding why he's willing to let innocents die to prove a point.
"It is not in my power to lift the curse." He informs me and I step forward, walking with a confidence I've noticed in Arthur's stance.
"Then give Arthur another chance. He has accepted it is his responsibility, and he will prove himself worthy and lift the curse if you give him one more chance." I plead, hoping Anhora will allow Arthur another chance to prove himself and save Camelot from famine.
"You have faith in Arthur?" He inquires and I nod, smiling as I wring my hands at what I'm about to admit, even if there's not another soul in this forest, my next words are dangerous.
"I trust him with my life. And my heart." I assure him confidently and Anhora looks to consider it a moment.
"Arthur must go to the Labyrinth of Gedref. There, he will face a final test. If he fails, there is no hope. The curse will destroy Camelot." He informs me before disappearing and I look around for him.
"Wait! What kind of test will he face?" I call out, wanting to know exactly what he'll be facing.
'That is for Arthur alone to discover.' Anhora responds telepathically and I sigh in frustration before walking back to Camelot. Once back in Camelot, I inform Arthur of what Anhora told me and after I help him into his armor, he begins preparing for his travel.
"Let me come with you. You don't know what form of test will take. I might be able to help." I plead, wanting to go with him and protect him if the need arises.
"You're not coming. I brought this curse upon Camelot. I'm gonna be the one to lift it, or die trying." He explains as he puts on his gloves and I wring my hands, terrified of the thought of Arthur dying, and I inhale shakily.
"Alright, how does you dying help anyone?" I ask him, fear lacing my voice and he turns to me, his crystal blue eyes meeting my sapphire ones, our gazes never wavering from the others.
"I'll die knowing I did everything I can." He answers me before walking towards the door and I shake my head, refusing to let him go off on a suicide mission, at least not without me.
"I'm coming with you." I insist, beginning to follow after him and he turns around, taking my hand in his gloved one and I gasp softly, looking up at him.
"Merlyn, you are to stay here, and help the people as best you can. Is that understood?" He asks me softly, his eyes trailing over my face, almost as if he's memorizing every detail, committing it to memory in case he doesn't make it back. I nod before I watch him ride out of Camelot before I follow after him. I arrive at the labyrinth shortly after I watch Arthur walk in and I see Anhora once I enter.
"You said Arthur would face a test. And here you are, preparing a trap for him." I accuse, angry that I mistakenly led Arthur to Anhora's trap.
"The trap isn't for Arthur. It is for you." He corrects me. "Gehæftan." He chants and I'm wrapped in vines from the labyrinth hedges. Anhora places me in a chair at a table on the shore, and Arthur exits the labyrinth a short time later.
"Merlyn?" He questions, shocked to see me, and I smile apologetically.
"I'm sorry." I tell him as he approaches the table.
"Let her go. I'll take your test, but not till she's released." Arthur insists and I smile at him trying to save me.
"That is not possible. Merlyn is part of the test. Please sit. If you refuse the test, you will have failed and Camelot will be destroyed." Anhora threatens him and Arthur sits down across from me.
"I thought I told you to stay at home." He reminds me, and I notice concern for me in his eyes, before looking at Anhora. "Let's get on with it."
"There are two goblets before you. One of the goblets contains a deadly poison, the other goblet, a harmless liquid. All the liquid from both goblets must be drunk, but each of you may only drink from a single goblet." Anhora explains and I suck in a breath, sharing a fearful look with Arthur before looking at Anhora.
"What kind of ridiculous test is that? What does that prove?" He inquires, not seeing how one of us dying proves anything.
"What it proves is for you to decide. If you pass the test, the curse will be lifted." Anhora informs us and I calm myself before looking at Arthur.
"Let's think about this. What if I drink from my goblet first?" I question, trying to find a strategy that doesn't lead to Arthur's death.
"If it's poisoned, you'll die." He reminds me and I shrug, trying to feign indifference.
"And if it's not, then you'll have to drink from yours, and you'll die. There must be a way around it." I comment, trying to think, wringing my hands in worry, as I fail to come up with a decent strategy.
"It is perfectly simple. One of us has to die. We have to find a way to determine which goblet has the poison. And then I'll drink it." Arthur explains and I angrily shake my head at him
"I will be the one to drink it." I correct him, my voice strong and determined.
"This is my doing. I'm drinking it." Arthur argues and I roll my eyes, setting my hands on the table, leaning forward.
"It is more important that you live. You're the future king. I'm just a servant. I don't matter." I explain to him, trying to get him to see the logic in what I'm saying.
"You do to me." Arthur argues and I blush, smiling slightly at his slip of the tongue.
"What if I drink from mine first, and if that's not poisoned, I will then drink yours?" I suggest, sighing and Arthur glances at Anhora before looking back to me.
"He said each of us is only allowed to drink from a single goblet. I had no idea you were so keen to die for me." Arthur comments, sounding irritated with me for some odd reason and I chuckle humorlessly.
"Trust me, I can hardly believe it myself." I mutter, knowing that I would in fact do anything to save Arthur even giving up mine to do so, and he laughs.
"I'm glad you are here, Merlyn." He admits genuinely before sighing.
"I've got it. Right, we pour all the liquid into one goblet and then we can be sure it is poisoned. Then all the liquid can be drunk, and it will be from a single goblet." I inform him and he smiles at me.
"You never cease to surprise me. You're a lot smarter than you look." He jests, and I blush at his compliment.
"Is that actually a compliment?" I question, and he smirks at me, making me blush before he becomes serious.
"Look out!" Arthur calls out suddenly, pointing behind me and I look. I turn back to see Arthur pourthe contents into one goblet and prepare to drink it.
"No! I will drink it!" I argue with him, reaching for it but he pulls it out of my reach.
"As if I'd let you." He responds, his eyes shining with an emotion I can't quite name, and I shake my head.
"You can't die. This isn't your destiny." I refute, not accepting that this is how it ends for us.
"It seems you're wrong again." Arthur retorts and I feel a tear slip down my cheek.
"Listen to me!" I beg him, my eyes pleading with him to let me drink the poison.
"You know me, Merlyn. I never listen to you." He tells me, his voice carrying a false light tone as he smirk slightly before he toasts me.
"Arthur, No!" I exclaim as he drinks it the entire goblet before setting it down and looking at me with his brilliant crystal blue eyes I adore.
"What have you done?" I mutter just before he falls of his chair, and I cry out, rushing over to him.
"Arthur! No!" I exclaim, trying to shake him awake, but to no avail. "Arthur. Arthur. Come on! Arthur, come on. Come on. Come on! No... Come on." I sob, tears streaming down my face as my worst fear has come to pass, Arthur is dead, and I couldn't- didn't- save him. I failed my destiny, and I failed him. I pull Arthur's head into my lap and cradle it, brushing his golden blonde hair out of his handsome face before turning my gaze to Anhora.
"Please. Please! Just... let me take his place!" I beg him between my hiccuping, desperate to save him.
"This was Arthur's test, not yours." Anhora refuses and I let out a sob as I look down at Arthur, gently caressing his cheek.
"You've killed him! I was meant to protect him!" I exclaim, feeling the full extent of those words hit me. I failed. Everything that hinged on my destiny will never happen.
"He is not dead. He's merely consumed a sleeping draught. He will come round shortly." Anhora informs me and I gasp, looking up at him quickly.
"What?" I ask in disbelief, not quite believing that Arthur was still alive.
"A unicorn is pure of heart. If you kill one, you must make amends by proving that you also are pure of heart. Arthur was willing to sacrifice his life to save yours. He has proven what is truly in his heart. The curse will be lifted." Anhora explains to me and I let out a relived laugh as I wipe my tears. When Arthur wakes up, we ride back into Camelot, neither of us breaking the awkward silence. I notice townsfolk are carrying around platters joyously and I look to Arthur as a knight helps me dismount my horse.
"Merlyn, Arthur, there is good news! The crops are growing once again! They are bringing in the harvest!" Gaius exclaims happily as he approaches us. I lean closer to Arthur and smile, my face beaming with pride.
"You did it." I tell him and he smiles slightly before Uther walks towards Arthur.
"Is this your doing? Is the sorcerer dead?" Uther asks him, and Arthur nods.
"He won't be troubling us anymore." He informs his father, not exactly lying to him.
"Good. Make sure the grain reserves are re-stocked." Uther instructs him, patting his arm, which is as affectionate as I've ever seen Uther.
"I'll see to it. There's something we must do first." Arthur informs his father before we head into the forest and build a stone burial mound for the unicorn. Arthur lays the unicorn's horn on the burial mound.
"I should never have ended your life. I'm sorry." Arthur apologizes and we begin laying stones over the grave when I look up and see the unicorn.
"Arthur..." I whisper, reaching over and grasping his arm, causing him to look over at me. I nod my head towards the unicorn and he sees it to. We stand there and watch the unicorn before it trots away and we head back to Camelot, neither of us mentioning me touching his arm, which is grossly inappropriate behavior for a servant, but I swear I saw him smile.