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.
Arthur called for a hunting party, so I'm walking through the forest wearing a simple white fitted tunic, brown trousers and my tan boots with my hair in a loose braid. I'm stuck carrying all of the hunting supplies and my arms feel like rubber. Arthur is wearing a brown tunic and his leather vest and I can't help but stare at him.
"Merlyn, spear." Arthur instructs and I accidently drop it into his lap due to my staring and I blush heatedly at my mistake.
"Do you have any natural gifts, Merlyn?" He questions, sounding irritated and I smirk.
"No. Well, let me think." I place a finger to my cheek as I pretend to think about it. "I'm not naturally rude or insensitive." I point out, giving him a look.
"Just naturally irritating." Arthur adds in and we move forwards, hearing growling noises. I must be wearing my fear on my face because Arthur gives my hand a reassuring squeeze causing me to blush and I cautiously glance around to see if any of the knights witnessed the inappropriate behavior.
"It's probably more scared of you than you are of it." He assures me and I nod as he signals to the knights on where to go. Suddenly a creature with the head of a snake and the body of a leopard jumps out at them and Arthur drops his spear as we all run. I get my foot caught in some kind of animal hole and twist my ankle, causing me to fall, so I quickly turn to see the beast approaching me, and I involuntarily let out a whimper before someone grabs me and I realize it's Arthur who's practically carrying me.
"Have we lost it?" I ask him, slightly out of breath, as he lets go of me and I test my ankle, wincing at the pain.
"Who's missing?" Arthur inquires and I look around to see if everyone is here, but I notice one face is missing.
"Where's Sir Bedivere?" I question and as soon as I do, a terrible scream echoes throughout the woods and I cover my mouth, realizing that Bedivere was killed by the beast while he and Arthur were saving me. Arthur helps me back to Camelot, since my ankle is hurting, and I'll 'slow us down', but none of the other knights say anything when Arthur wraps an arm around my waist to help me walk, just smirk at my blushing face. We immediately meet with Gaius and Uther to explain what happened.
"The creature you describe has all the characteristics of the Questing Beast." Gaius explains to us, and I recognize the name of the creature from one of Gaius's books I read.
"Surely that's a myth." Arthur dismisses, doubtful as I stand behind him in a cherry red dress with my ankle wrapped in bandage with a slave on it and my tan boots.
"According to the old books, the appearance of the Questing Beast is supposed to foreshadow a time of great upheaval." Gaius continues and Uther looks visibly affected by Gaius's words.
"Gaius, it's an old wives' tale." He argues, dismissing the possiblity.
"Look, whatever it is, it's spreading panic. The people fear it will enter the city." Arthur informs Uther, bringing him back to the matter at hand.
"Then we must kill it. Arthur, gather the guard together. You ride at dawn." Uther instructs and Arthur leaves the room and I follow after him along with the knights. I'm packing for my hunting trip with Arthur and the knights, once I assured Arthur my ankle was fine he agreed to let me come with them, with Gaius standing behind me.
"This is no ordinary beast, Merlyn." Gaius informs me and I turn to look at him, holding my sword.
"Don't worry." I tell him, knowing that I can use my magic if I need to, but I've been training with Arthur and the knights, becoming quite skilled with a sword.
"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." Gaius continues and I knit my brows in confusion.
"What do you mean?" I question, confused as to what he's talking about.
"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." He informs me and I set down my sword as I realize that any one of us could die facing this beast and it would only take one bite. At dawn, I'm dressed in a light blue fitted tunic, dark brown trousers with my tan boots and my hair in a loose braid as I stand beside Arthur while he speaks to his knights.
"You've seen the foe we face. It's a creature of nightmare, but you are the best knights in the realm. We can, and we will, kill it before it harms another citizen of our kingdom." Arthur assures them, drawing his sword. "For the love of Camelot!" He calls out and the knights draw their own swords.
"For the love of Camelot!" They repeat, but Morgana rushes out of the palace in her nightgown, hysterical.
"Arthur!" She exclaims and I give her a worried glance, before realizing she must have had a nightmare.
"Morgana, what are you doing?" He inquires, not understanding why she ran out of the palace in her nightgown.
"You cannot face this!" She exclaims, trying to grab him and he struggles with her.
"Morgana, go back to bed. There is nothing to be afraid of." He reassures her but she only becomes more hysterical.
"Please, Arthur. I have seen terrible things! You cannot go!" She begs him and I step forward, placing an arm on Morgana's shoulder with a gentle smile on my face.
"She probably had a bad dream, Arthur. I'll take her to see Gaius." I suggest and he looks at me, nodding gratefully, but Morgana seems to struggle harder.
"No! I will not let you go!" She exclaims loudly and I help Arthur get a hold of her.
"Please, Merlyn, get her inside." He pleads and I nod, giving him a look that shows that I would do it if he hadn't asked, and he motions for the guards to come down.
"No!" Morgana yells, fighting my hold as I wrap an arm around her waist as I hold her wrsit, guiding her to the stairs and up the steps.
"I will make sure he's safe, Morgana. You know I will. I promise." I whisper to her and she seems to look even more fearful.
"No!" She yells again and I hand her off to the guards. "No!" She yells as the guards lead her inside. Once in the woods, we're carefully walking around, looking for any sign of the beast when Arthur finds a gigantic paw print.
"Let's follow the trail." He suggests and we hear growling, followed by heavy footfalls.
"Keep close." He instructs us, but directs it to me and I nod slightly. We come across the beats's liar and walk inside. Arthur and I split from the rest of the knights and we hear hissing.
"What is it?" I whisper, hoping it isn't the questing beast nearby.
"Shh!" Arthur whispers back and the beast is right behind us. Arthur pushes me out of the way and faces the beast. I see it begin to close in on Arthur and try to distract it by waving my torch.
"Hey! Hey!" I call out, using my magic to pick up Arthur's dropped sword.
"Fléoge! Bregdan anwiele gefeluc!" I chant, enchanting the sword and magically throwing it, killing the Questing Beast before I run to Arthur, shaking him.
"It didn't bite you. It didn't." I mutter, trying to reassure myself before I see blood on my hand and I panic.
"Arthur?!" I yell, tears streaming down my face as I cradle him to me. "Somebody help me!" I scream, hoping that one of the knights hears me. I scream until I can't anymore and finally the knights find me and help me carry him back to Camelot. I trail behind them, tears streaming down my face, and my voice raspy from my screaming by the time we get to Gaius's chambers. I sweep my arm across the table, clearing it for them to set Arthur on it.
"What's happened?" He inquires as he looks at Arthur's wound. "He's been bitten." He informs me and I whimper at what that means for Arthur.
"I tried to save him." I mumble brokenly, fresh tears falling from my eyes as I look down at Arthur.
"You must tell the King." He instructs a knight and I look to him, roughly wiping my tears with my sleeve.
"There must be something you can do." I plead, begging him to do something to save him.
"I wish there was." He replies and I glance down at Arthur again before taking a breath.
"I'll find a cure." I respond, determined not to let Arthur die, and I rush to the stairs leading up to my chambers.
"Merlyn!" He calls after me and I run up the stairs.
"Trust me!" I call back before bolting into my room and grabbing my magic book.
"Can you hear me, Sire?" Gaius asks Arthur as I run back down the stairs.
"Here." I tell him, bringing out the magic book.
"The King'll be here any moment!" Gaius chastises me and I feel tears well up in my eyes.
"He can't die. It is my destiny to protect him. We haven't done all the things we're meant to do." I remind him, wringing my hands.
"That is a lament of all men." Gaius comments and I glance over at Arthur before looking back to Gaius.
"Gaius, I love him." I admit and I see Gaius's face soften at my confession.
"Then save him." He encourages me and I use magic to flip through the book.
"Gestathole." I chant, and nothing happens, so I flip through the book again. "Thurhhaele." I chant and again, nothing happens. "Maybe the spells need time to take effect." I suggest hopefully.
"The bite of the Questing Beast is a death sentence that no magic can overturn." Gaius explains to me before we hear Uther yelling in the corridor.
"Where is the Prince?! Where is my son?!" He yells before entering Gaius's chambers and seeing his son on the table.
"Arthur!" He calls out, rushing to Arthur's side, cradling his head and I magically close my book. "Do something, Gaius!" He orders him before looking back to his son.
"I am trying, your majesty." Gaius responds, knowing that nothing he can do will save him.
"Gaius will find a cure. He will not let him die." I hoarsely assure the king and Gaius turns to me.
"I will do everything in my power." Gaius corrects me and I look back to Arthur as Uther desperately picks him up.
"I'll bear him to his chamber." Uther informs us as he walks through the square with Arthur in his arms and I follow after him. Uther collapses in his grief and four knights come to bear Arthur to his chambers as the king weeps on his knees. I rush down the tunnel and to the Dragon's cave.
"I have failed Arthur, failed in my destiny." I inform him, my voice hoarse as I blink away the tears that are forming in my eyes.
'And yet, you would not be here if that were true.'
"He was bitten by the Questing Beast. He's going to die." I explain to him, my voice breaking.
'Does he still breathe?'
"Only just." I confirm sadly, thinking of Arthur laying in his deathbed after pushing me out of the way.
'Then there is still time to heal him.'
"I've tried. I cannot save him." I admit, hating that my magic wasn't strong enough to save him.
'You do not know how to save him.'
"But you can tell me how?" I inquire hoefully as I stare up at him.
'Perhaps. It will not be easy.'
"I will do anything." I assure him confidently.
'Anything?'
"Please, just tell me what I have to do!" I exclaim, knowing that Arthur doesn't have much time.
'Very well. The Questing Beast is a creature conjured by the powers of the Old Religion. You must use the same ancient magic to save him.'
"But the Old Religion died out centuries ago." I argue, remembering what Gaius told me.
'The Old Religion is the magic of the earth itself. It is the essence which binds all things together. It will last long beyond the time of men.'
"But how can that help me save Arthur?" I question, not understanding.
'You must find those who still serve it. Those who hold dominion over life and death.'
"Where?" I ask him, feeling slightly hopeful about saving Arthur.
'Go to the place that men call the Isle of the Blessed, where the power of the ancients can still be felt. There you will discover Arthur's salvation.'
"Thank you. Thank you." I mumble, feeling a relieved tear slip down my cheek.
'And Merlyn, the young Pendragon must live, no matter what the cost.'
I hurry back to Gaius's to prepare for my journey to save Arthur. I walk in and wipe the tears from my face.
"Merlyn, you're back. I need your help. You must get this to Arthur to ease his passing." He istructs and I wince at 'passing' and the thought of Arthur actually dying terrifies me.
"No. We have to save him." I argue as I find a burlap sack on the table behind me.
"You've already tried." Gaius reminds me as I begin packing food into the sack.
"The beast comes from the Old Religion. The cure must come from there as well." I explain to him, as I finish packing the food.
"There are not many left with such an art." Gaius informs me and I move to the shelf to grab a canteen.
"You said yourself, the Old Religion is still alive, and there is an island beyond the White Mountains..." I elaborate as I walk back to the table where I left the bag of food.
"No!" Gaius explains and I knit my brows in confusion at his outburst.
"The Isle of the Blessed...You know it?" I question, believing he does after his behavior, and he looks down, grabbing the ladder.
"It was said to be the centre of the Old Religion, the focus of its power." He explains and I feel a surge of anger at his knowledge of this island.
"Why did you keep this from me?" I ask him, upset at him wasting time while Arthur is dying.
"Because it was too dangerous, Merlyn." Gaius informs me and I set down the canteen.
"It's our only chance! I have to find it!" I exclaim, not willing to lose Arthur at any cost, as I grab my food and move over to the work bench.
"And once you are there, what will you ask?" He inquires and search through the vials.
"For Arthur to be saved." I respond, continuing searching through the vials.
"The Questing Beast chose Arthur. That means the Old Religion has decided his fate." Gaius informs me and I set my things on the table, looking up at him exasperated.
"Then I will convince them to change their minds!" I yell, prepared to do anything I can to save him.
"It is not that simple! 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. Merlyn, please, I beg of you." He pleads and I shake my head.
"I'm sorry, Gaius. Whatever the price is, I will pay it gladly." I explain, and he looks as if he expected that response. I decide to visit Arthur before I go to the Isle of the Blessed, because if everything goes to plan, I might never see him again. I walk in to see Gwen tending to him, but when she sees me, she excuses herself quickly. I look towards his bed and stifle a sob at how sick he looks. I take the cloth from the bowl of water and dab it on his forehead, before brushing his hair from his forehead, stroking his face with my hand lightly.
"Oh, you just had to be the hero, didn't you? You're the prince, Arthur. Camelot needs you. Your father needs you. I-I need you. You know, that's twice now that you've risked your life to save mine. Why did you push me out of the way? I could've handled it! I was supposed to be dying. It was- it should be me!But don't worry, I'm going to fix this. The first time I met you, I thought you were a giant prat, and I was appointed your maidservant, which gave me the opportunity to really get to know you. I realized that although you were still a prat, you're brave, kind, sarcastic, funny, caring, selfless. I learned that you would do anything for your people and you really care about them. You're not going to die, Arthur. I'm telling you. Because I know that one day you will be King. A greater king than you father could ever be. It's what keeps me going. You are going to live to be the man I've seen inside you, Arthur. I can see a Camelot that is fair and just. I can see a king that the people will love and be proud to call their sovereign. For the love of Camelot, you have to live. And I- I need you to live because... I love you, you prat. And I know it's wrong and it can't ever amount to anything but I do. So you can't die, okay? I love you and I won't let you die." I finish my rant, feeling a tear fall and land on his cheek as I lean forward and kiss his forehead before walking into the corridor to find Gwen and, judging by her tears, she'd been listening. I quickly make my way to Gaius's to prepare.
The next day I dress in a white tunic, brown trousers, tan boots, tan jacket, and my hair in a loose plait as I prepare my horse to leave and I notice Gaius approach me.
"Here." He says as he hands me a rolled parchment. "You'll need a map. And I'm going to give you this. My mother gave it to me." He informs me as I unwrap a tiny package. "It's a rabbit's foot." He explains and I nod as I look at the small brown foot.
"To keep you safe." I add in, smiling slightly at the kind gift.
"It was said to protect you from evil spirits. It's rubbish. I don't believe in superstition. I don't know why I gave it to you." He dismisses self-consciously, reaching to take it back but I shake my head.
"No. I want it. Thank you." I assure him before sighing. "You've got to keep Arthur alive until I get back." I instruct him before mounting my horse and riding off through the woods. I approach the lake and step in a little boat.
"Astyre." I chant and it propels the boat across the lake. I step out into the fortress on the island out into a courtyard with a stone alter and look around.
"Hello?" I call out, turning my back to the alter.
"Hello, Merlyn." A voice greets and I turn to her, glaring at her.
"You." I bite out, recognizing her immediately as the 'serving girl' who had me drink poison.
"Do you know who I am?" She inquires, smirking slightly.
"Nimueh. You can't be who the dragon meant." I refuse, not believing he sent me to someone like her.
"And why is that?" She questions, still smiling, and I knit my brows.
"You tried to kill me." I remind her, warily glancing at her.
"Before I understood your importance." She explains, trying to justify her actions.
"And Arthur." I add in, wringing my hands trying not to do anything that could jepordize Arthur's chance at a cure.
"Arthur was never destined to die at my hand, and now it seems I will be his salvation." She comments and I step forward.
"So you know what I've come to ask?" I question, not bothering to figure out how she knows.
"Yes." She confirms and I wring my hands in anticipation.
"Will you do it?" I inquire, hoping that she decides to help me.
"I do not have the power to mirror life itself and yet give nothing in return." She informs me and I nod.
"I know that a price will be asked." I respond and she doesn't look surprised that I know that.
"To save a life, there must be a death. The balance of the world must be restored." She explains to me and I take a deep breath.
"I willingly give my life for Arthur's." I inform her, and she almost looks pleased.
"How brave you are, Merlyn. If only it were that simple." She comments and I knit my brows in confusion.
"What do you mean?" I ask her, not understanding.
"Once you enter into this bargain, it cannot be undone." She warns me and I step forward.
"Whatever I have to do, I will do. His life is worth a hundred of mine." I assure her, determined.
"The Cup of Life, blessed by centuries of powerful sorcerers so that it contains the very secret of life itself. If Arthur drinks water from the Cup, he will live." She informs me, offering me a cup and I take it.
"Tídrénas." She chants, making it rain on me for a moment and I collect the water in the Cup. Nimueh takes the Cup and pours the water into a small, decorative canteen.
"The bargain is struck. I hope it pleases you." She comments as I take the canteen and I ride for Camelot the next morning. I head straight for Gaius's chambers and I hurry inside.
"Merlyn!" Gaius exclaims, surprised to see me, and I search my jacket pocket for the canteen.
"We need to give this to Arthur." I inform him, handing him the canteen of water.
"What is it?" He questions, looking at the décor on the canteen.
"Water drawn from the Cup of Life. If Arthur drinks from it, he will recover. Please hurry." I plead and he begins to walk out before stopping and turning back to me.
"What are you waiting for?" I ask him, not wanting to risk Arthur's life.
"What price did you pay to redeem his life? Whose life did you bargain?!" He demands and I shake my head.
"We don't have time." I reply instead as I walk to the door and that tells him everything he wanted to know.
"Merlyn!" He raises his voice, ready to reprimand me and I turn to him.
"Don't worry, Gaius! Everything's going to be alright." I assure him before we rush to Arthur's chambers and begin to give him the water, with me sitting behind Arthur, propping his head up, just as Uther enters.
"What are you doing, physician? What are you giving him?" Uther questions Gaius looks to me before answering.
"It's a... It's a tincture made from the lobelia plant, an ancient remedy for poisonous bites." He lies, and Uther seems to believe it.
"A cure?" He asks as he walks toward the bed.
"We hope." Gaius replies.
"Do you really think it will have some effect?" Uther inquires, sounding hopeful.
"It's our last resort, Sire. Perhaps you should allow him to rest." Gaius suggests after pouring the last of the water into Arthur's mouth.
"I will not leave him." Uther insists, moving to sit by Arthur's side as we leave the room. Gaius and I head down the corridor after leaving Arthur's chambers when Morgana grabs my arm and pulls me into an alcove.
"Please, Merlyn, you must beware. This is only the beginning." She warns me worriedly before I nod slightly and pull away, continuing down the corridor. Gaius leaves to check on Arthur, and if the water worked, leaving me to pace in the chambers. Gaius walks in after what feels like hours and I give him a pleading look.
"The Prince lives." He informs me and I let out a watery laugh as feel tears slide down my cheeks in relief that the cure actually worked and then I change into a sky blue dress with my tan boots and my hair probably a mess of curls. I convince Gwen to feign ill so I can bring Arthur more towels and check on how he's doing. I set the towels down, looking anxiously at Arthur, who then opens his eyes, turning to look at me and I smile in relief.
"I knew it. I said you wouldn't die. Too bloody stubborn." I comment, smirking slightly before turning to the wash basin, wringing out towels.
"I can remember you talking to me." He admits tiredly and I freeze, as the realization hits me and I fear what exactly he remembers hearing.
"You can?" I ask him, hoping my voice is steady and doesn't show my fear.
"You stroked my forehead." He remembers and I grip the towel tightly.
"I was tending to your fever." I correct him over my shoulder.
"You never lost faith." He tells me, and I set the towel down, wringing my hands.
"I was just talking. You know me, I'm always talking." I try to dismiss it but he doesn't make a comment.
"Tell me again what you said?" He asks me and I look down, not meeting his gaze.
"I don't remember." I lie, knowing I can't tell him I love him while he's conscious.
"Yes, you do." He insists and I shake my head.
"No, I don't." I deny as I feel a blush creep onto my cheeks and I smile at his teasing tone.
"Come on. Something about 'the man I am inside.'" He prompts and I gather the basin and towels in my arms before turning to him and shaking my head.
"No, I never said that." I refute, though my scarlet cheeks are most likely contradicting my denials.
"Merlyn..." Arthur teases and the way he says my name makes my blush deepen before I clear my throat.
"I have to get these washed, Arthur." And I leave the room quickly as I try to get rid of my blush. That night I sit on my bed in my nightgown, preparing myself to die. Morning comes and I wake up, bolting upright in bed and smiling before I rush downstairs.
"Gaius! I'm alive!" I exclaim before I notice Gaius crouching over a collapsed figure on the floor.
"What is it? What's happened?" I ask him as I begin to walk towards him.
"Merlyn, stay there!" He instructs me and I frown as I try to see whi the figure is.
"What's wrong?" I question again, struggling to see the face of whoever is lying on the floor.
"No, don't!" Gaius exclaims but I walk over to see my mother, covered in sores, struggling to breathe on the floor.
"Mother!" I cry out, dropping to my knees next to her and she opens her eyes.
"Merlin." She weakly replies and I feel tears well up in my eyes.
"What's happened to her?" I inquire to Gaius, not taking my eyes off of my mother.
"She's gravely ill." He answers me and I place a hand on her shoulder.
"Do something!" I exclaim, my voice full of pain at seeing my mother this sick.
"If I could." He comments.
"Please, Gaius!" I beg him to do something to save my mother.
"Merlyn, this is no ordinary illness." Gaius informs me and I shake my head.
"This cannot happen." I deny, refusing to believe that my mother is the price.
"Who did you meet at the Isle of the Blessed?" Gaius questions and I realize what happened.
"Nimueh." I respond, knowing she is the one responsible for this.
"Nimueh?!" Gaius repeats incredulously.
"It was as you said. She demanded a price, but I bargained my life, not my mothers." I explain to him, fear lacing my words as I realize that I'm the reason my mother is dying.
"Merlyn. I wish there was something I could do." Gaius informs me and I take my mother's hand.
"I will make you better. I will." I promise before I hurry to the Dragon's cave, figuring out that he planned all of this.
"You knew this would happen! You had me trade my mother's life for Arthur's!" I accuse him, angry that I ever considered him my friend.
'You said you would do anything.'
"Did you know my mother would die?" I question him, not really sure I want to know the answer but asking anyway.
'I knew the price would be a heavy one.'
"But you sent me anyway." I retort, feeling betrayed by one of the closest friends I've had since I arrve in Camelot.
'We need Arthur to live.'
"I'm not one of you!" I exclaim, not wanting to be included in the same group as him.
'We are both creatures of the Old Religion. It is the source of your power.'
"What's that supposed to mean?" I inquire, not understanding his explanation.
'Your destiny is to protect the young Pendragon until he claims his crown, and upon that time, you claim yours. And when you do, magic can be returned to the realm. Only then will I be free.'
"Oh. So that's all you cared about? I thought you were my friend." I retort, hurt that he used me to gain his freedom.
'I am more than that, Merlyn. I am your kin.'
"No. The only family I have is my mother, and you had me murder her." I inform him bitterly.
'Her life has not been taken in vain. We will achieve great things together, you and I.'
"You will never be released! For what you've done, I'll make sure you never see the light." I inform him coldly.
'Merlyn!'
"Gescildan!" I chant, creating a shield to protect me as the Great Dragon breathes fire at me. Once he's done, I raise my glare to his gaze. "You won't see me again." I promise him before leaving him in his cave. I walk back into Gaius's chambers to see him sitting in a chair.
"Where is she?" I inquire worriedly as I look around for my mother.
"She's sleeping." He informs me quietly and I feel a rush of relief that she still has time. I walk over and sit in the chair across from his, fighting tears for a moment before composing myself.
"I have to save her." I comment softly, knowing how he'll react to this just as he did last time.
"You cannot." Gaius argues gently.
"If the balance of the world needs a life, then Nimueh must take mine." I tell him, tears welling in my eyes as I look at him.
"No, Merlyn." He dismisses the possibility, leaning forward.
"Yes. I will return to the island." I inform him as I begin to stand only for him to grab my arm, stopping me.
"You are young. Your gifts, your destiny are far too precious to sacrifice." He explains to me, trying to convince me to stop this.
"My destiny? This is my mother. My powers mean nothing if I cannot save her. You have taught me so much. Taught me who I am. Taught me the purpose for my skills. Taught me that magic should only be used for great deeds. But most of all, you have always taught me to do what is right." I inform him and he closes his glassy eyes for a moment.
"Merlyn." He pleads once again, this time much more desperate and I sniffle.
"I need to say goodbye to Arthur. Again." I explain before walking to Arthur's chambers. I enter as Arthur pours himself a drink, his other arm in a sling.
"Ah, Merlyn." He greets me with a genuine smile and I find myself smiling back at him.
"How are you?" I question, nodding to his shoulder.
"Good." He replies, as he eats a grape and I nod, letting silence take over for a second before I clear my throat.
"I'm pleased." I inform him, committing every one of his features to my memory.
"Yes. I owe it all to Gaius." He comments and I walk towards him, wringing my hands.
"I need to talk to you." I inform him, my voice strong as he sits down in a chair and takes a drink.
"You still haven't got it yet, have you? I decide when we need to talk." He reminds me and I shake my head.
"Not today." I argue continuing to wring my hands.
"I sometimes wonder if you know who I am." He tells me and I roll my eyes.
"Oh, I know who you are." I assure him, smirking.
"Good." He responds.
"You're a prat. And a royal one." I inform him and he chuckles, although I see a strange look cross his face when I call him a prat, it's almost.. joyful, or affectionate.
"Are you ever going to change, Merlyn?" He inquires and I shake my head.
"No, you'd get bored. Besides, you like me just the way I am. But promise me this, if you get another servant, don't get a bootlicker." I tell him, blushing when I said he 'liked me' and I notice a blush on his cheeks as well.
"If this is you trying to leave your job..." Arthur trails off and I quickly shake my head.
"No. I'm happy to be your servant. Till the day I die." I assure him, knowing that day is very soon.
"Sometimes I think I know you, Merlyn. Other times..." Arthur trails off with a shake of his head.
"Well, I know you. And you're a great warrior. And a great man. One day, you'll be a great king." I inform him and he smiles shyly, almost like he's uncomfortable with me complimenting him.
"That's very kind of you." He replies in thanks and I smile affectionately at him.
"But you must learn to listen as well as you fight." I explain and he smiles slightly.
"Any other pointers?" He asks me and I shake my head.
"No. That's it. Just...don't be a prat." I tell him before I leave his chambers and go back to my chambers where Gwen is sitting by my mother's bedside.
"Gaius had to go and get some supplies. He asked me to keep an eye on her until you got back." She explains and I smile at her kindness.
"Thank you." I tell her before looking at my mother, who's sleeping soundly, while Gwen gets ups and pulls me into a hug.
"I'm sorry." She whispers sadly into my shoulder and I nod as I look at my mother again.
"No, she'll get better." I inform her and she nods to me.
"I've tried to make her feel comfortable." She explains and I smile at her again.
"You have such a good heart, Gwen. Don't ever lose that." I inform her, which causes her to knit her brows in confusion before leaving and I go to sit with my mother.
"I'm going to make you well again. I promise. You'll see." I vow to her, taking her hand, and she laughs softly.
"You're such a good daughter." She praises me and I smile as I reach up to brush my hand through her hair.
"But I don't want you to worry about me. I know that the gods will look after me, and that one day I will see you again." I assure her, trying to fight back my tears.
"I will miss you." She admits and I swallow back the sob working its way out of my mouth.
"I will miss you, too." I promise her, before taking out the rabbit's foot and giving it to her. I come out of my room and begin packing for my trip in the morning.
"Gaius?" I call out when I see a note with my name written on it in Gaius's handwriting.
Dear Merlyn, My life is already near to its end. There has, for the most part, been very little purpose to it, very little that will be remembered. In contrast, Merlyn, your life is destined for greatness. Live by the tenets I have taught you, and I believe you will, in time, become the greatest witch ever. To have known you has been my greatest pleasure, and to sacrifice myself for you is but an honour. You are and always will be the daughter I never had.
"No!" I exclaim as I hurry to the stable, borrow a horse and rise out of Camelot towards the Isle of the Blessed, hoping to stop Gaius. I approach the edge of the lake of the Isle when I hear Nimueh chanting.
"Ic, séo héahsácerd, þe ácwile strengþe ealdan æwfæstnesse!" She chants and I rush onto the island.
"Stop!" I exclaim and I see Gaius laying on the ground beside the alter and Nimueh standing over him with the Cup raised.
"Back again so soon, witch?" She asks me and I look toward Gaius.
"What have you done?" I inquire, as she walks towards me.
"Your mother is safe. Isn't that what you wanted?" She asks me, placing the Cup on the alter before continuing to walk towards me.
"Have you killed him?" I question, choking up slightly as glance at Gaius.
"It was his wish." She replies and I groan, shaking my head.
"I bid my life for Arthur's, not my mother's, not Gaius's!" I yell, grieving for Gaius and angry at all the death because of me.
"The Old Religion does not care who lives and who dies! Only that the balance of the world is restored. To save a life, a life must be taken. Gaius knew this." She explains, sparing a glance at Gaius.
"It is not the Old Religion that has done this. It is you." I accuse her, bitterly.
"Come now. We are too valuable to each other to be enemies." She informs me, trying to get me to help her instead of stopping her
"No! I share nothing with you!" I yell at her, refusing to help someone like her.
"With my help, Arthur will become King." She offers, playing on my one 'weakness' and I smirk.
"I will make Arthur King. But you will never see that day." I assure her before chanting "Ástríce!" but she only absorbs my attack.
"Your childish tricks are useless against me, Merlyn. I am a priestess of the Old Religion." She informs me before chanting "Forbærne!"and I dodge the blast, which hits the fortress and it explodes. She lights another fireball before looking to me. "You, too, are a creature of the Old Religion. You should join me." She offers again, trying to convince me to use my magic to benefit her.
"You think I would join forces with such a selfish and cruel magic? Never." I refuse, not wanting to compromise everything that Gaius has helped me to become.
"So be it." She accepts. "Ácwele!" She chants, sending the spell at me and it hits me directly in the chest, causing me to feel a burning pain I've felt before. "Pity. Together we could've ruled the world." She walks away and I stand up, glaring at her.
"You should not have killed my friend." I warn her as I use the power from the clouds to send lightning to strike her down and rain to fall before running over to Gaius.
"Gaius! Gaius!" I call out, cradling an unconscious Gaius. "No! No!" I yell, tears falling down my face at my failure to save him, before I nestle my face in his shoulder and cry.
"Merlyn." Gaius mutters and I watch his eyes open and turn to me.
"Gaius. Gaius. Gaius, you're alive!" I exclaim, laughing as I hug him, all the while a huge grin on my face.
"What did you do?" He asks me and I shake my head.
"Nimueh's dead. The balance of the world has been restored." I inform him as I continue to smile in relief that he's alive.
"You amaze me. You've mastered the power of life and death itself. We'll make a great witch of you yet." He comments, laughing slightly and I grin.
"So you believe in me now?" I question him, knowing he's believed in me all along.
"Well, I would do if...if you could stop this blasted rain." He retorts and we both laugh as we sit in the rain.