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.
We're standing in the throne room as Uther performs a knighting ceremony, Gwen standing on my left while Gaius is on my right. My dress is a black lace up dress with a white blouse underneath, tan boots and my hair in a braided updo Gwen styled earlier.
"Arise Sir Vidor, Knight of Camelot. Arise Sir Caradoc, Knight of Camelot." He instructs and the two men stand as Uther continues his speech. "You have been accorded a great honour. But with that honour comes great responsibility. From this day forth, you are sworn to live by the knights' code. You have pledged to conduct yourselves with nobility, honour, and respect. Your word is your sacred bond. You will find no one who better embodies these values than my son, Arthur. Follow his example, and you will prove yourselves worthy of your title." He finishes, Arthur looking proud as his father speaks highly of him and I smile, before the sound of sword fighting in the corridor causes us all to turn. A knight enters the room making the two new knights draw their swords, but Arthur steps forward and the knight drops their gauntlet in front of him, which he picks up to my dismay..
"I accept your challenge. If I'm to face you in combat, do me the courtesy of revealing your identity." Arthur requests and the knight removes their helmet to reveal a woman with long blonde hair and I feel something eerily familiar as I examine the woman's face before I glance at Morgana who seems to have the same feeling.
"My name is Morgause." She introduces and I notice her look at both Morgana and I before she exits, allowing Uther and Arthur to search for a loophole in the challenge. I follow Gwen and Morgana back to her chambers and we watch the woman practicing in the square from the window.
"Who is she? Why would she challenge Arthur? It seems no one's ever heard of her." Gwen questions, wondering as much as the rest of us where this woman came from and what she wanted.
"I feel as if I've met her somewhere before." Morgana admits and I quickly look towards her, telepathically informing her of my earlier feeling and she widens her eyes in surprise.
"Really? Where could you know her from?" Gwen curiously wonders and I warn Morgana to keep an eye open around this Morgause woman until we know more and she agrees.
"I don't know." Morgana voices before I excuse myself and head back to Arthur's chambers to help him get ready for bed. As I walk in, I notice him sitting in the chair behind his desk, and when I walk in he stands.
"Do you know why she challenged you?" I inquire, setting about working on his armor as he paces the room.
"I'm the King's son. Perhaps she believes she will prove herself." He suggests and I glance back up at him, noticing something's bothering him.
"Arthur, you don't want to fight her, do you?" I question, figuring that must be what's eating at him and he sighs.
"I have no choice. If I refuse to fight her, I'm a coward. If I kill her, what am I then? What is it?" He replies and my nerves must show in my expression because he stops his pacing.
"You've never faced a woman in combat. What if you hesitate? She could use that to her advantage." I voice my concern and he rolls his eyes, giving me a look and I stop what I'm doing to stand.
"You think she's going to defeat me." He remarks, sounding slightly hurt and I walk over to him, taking his hand in mine.
"Of course not, you prat. I'm just saying. You need to be cautious, because it sounds like she's pretty handy with a sword." I warn him, concerned and he smiles, brushing a curly strand of hair behind my ear.
"I need you to take a message to Morgause for me. If I'm seen to do it, it could be viewed as cowardice. You must persuade her to withdraw her challenge." He instructs and I nod, squeezing his hand before walking towards the guest chambers that Morgause is staying in. As soon as I walk in, she greets me with a sword at my neck.
"What do you want?" She demands, although her voice doesn't seem threatening, and I take a breath, glaring at the sword's placement and she doesn't yield.
"I have a message from Prince Arthur. He wants you to withdraw your challenge. Arthur has no desire to fight you. Now, if you withdraw, he will grant you safe passage through the kingdom. Leave now, while you still can." I relay the message sharply, adding the last bit myself since she came at me with a sword and she stares right back at me, with a small smirk appearing on her face at my sass.
"If Arthur has no desire to fight me, perhaps he should withdraw." She counters and I roll my eyes knowing my prince all too well.
"No. He'll, he'll never do that. It's not in him to withdraw." I comment and she lowers her sword, her eyes taking me in like she was looking for something in my face and I frown.
"Then we have that in common." She states at last and I have that feeling again, like there's something familiar about her but I can't seem to place it.
"If you fight him, he will have to treat you as he does any other opponent. It won't matter that you're a woman. Trust me." I inform her, thinking of when I first met Arthur, and she raises a brow.
"I do not ask for special treatment." She retorts confidently and I know then that she is adamant on fighting him. "And I suspect you do not either." She comments, amused and I smile slightly.
"Arthur has no quarrel with you. Why would you challenge him?" I ask her, wanting to know why she would come all the way to Camelot to fight the prince.
"My reasons are not your concern just yet." She cryptically answers, her humor gone, and I frown, knowing this isn't going to solve anything.
"Don't put Arthur in a position where he's forced to kill you." I remark, deciding to leave since it's clear she won't be convinced.
"Who's to say Arthur's life won't rest in my hands, Merlyn?" She questions as I walk towards the door of the chambers, making it down the corridor before the realization comes to me: I hadn't told her my name. The next morning, I'm wearing a coral colored dress with tan corset, tan boots and my hair in a plait going down my back. Arthur still looks conflicted so I glance around before quickly placing my hand on his arm comfortingly as though I'm adjusting his gauntlet and he smiles slightly.
"You gave her a chance to withdraw. Whatever happens, you are not to blame." I assure him softly and he nods before making his way onto the grounds where Morgause is already waiting. The two fight, with Morgause ultimately holding her sword to Arthur's chest, winning her the match. Arthur heads straight to his chambers to sulk over being beaten by a girl. Arthur is sitting at the table, his head resting on his arms and I smirk at him knowing he can't see me.
"It could've been worse." I remind him and he lifts his head to playfully glare at me as I begin to remove pieces of his armor.
"How, exactly, could it have been worse?" He questions, his pride clearly wounded and I grin at what sounds like Arthur whining.
"You could be dead, you prat." I retort and he rolls his eyes, as he turns to look at me as I'm undoing the straps of his chest plate.
"At least I wouldn't have to face everyone. I've never felt so humiliated in my entire life. I was defeated by a girl." He moans, and I can't contain the giggle that slips out.
"The prince of Camelot pouting, I never thought I'd see that." I tease and he sits back in the chair, making me stop in the middle of taking his armor off.
"No. It's like you said last night. I was hindered because I was fighting a woman. I was worried I was going to hurt her. That's why she won." He convinces himself and I sigh, crossing my arms as I stand to his right.
"Or women can do just as well as men in anything. Or better it seems." I mutter as I exit the chambers, making my way to Morgana's. She wanted to go introduce herself to Morgause and after my encounter I didn't want her going alone. Morgana knocks on the door before opening it, both of us walking in.
"I didn't mean to intrude. I wanted to introduce myself. I'm the Lady Morgana and this is Merlyn, Arthur's maidservant." Morgana speaks for us as Morgause comes around from behind the curtain.
"I know who you both are." She replies calmly, and I realize I was correct in assuming she recognized me last night.
"How is your arm? You were wounded." Morgana inquires, and I look to see the bandage on her arm.
"It'll heal soon enough. You look tired." She comments to Morgana, studying her face like she did with mine.
"I haven't been sleeping." Mor admits staring at her, struggling with the familiar feeling we both have around this strange woman.
"I know for myself how troubling that can be." Morgause replies, seeming to reminisce on her own experience.
"Could it be that we've met you somewhere before?" I question, not understanding why I'm feeling like this and I feel Mor in my head getting anxious as well.
"I'm glad we have met now." She shakes her head before responding, smiling at us, while I get a feeling that she knows more than she's willing to share.
"That's a beautiful bracelet." Morgana compliments, and I look at the bracelet, noticing the engravings on the cuff and I feel like I've seen it before.
"It was a gift. From my mother. Please, I would like you to have it. It's a healing bracelet. It will help you sleep." She offers to Morgana and I telepathically tell her not to take it, not trusting her.
"I couldn't. You must be tired. I will leave you to rest." Morgana explains, trying to politely make an excuse to leave the chambers.
"I hope you both will remember me fondly." She comments before we leave the chambers and I frown at her words, and the creeping feeling that she isn't done. I wake up and dress in a blue and white lace up dress, tan boots, and my hair in a messy updo before grabbing an empty laundry basket and heading towards Arthur's chambers, pausing to see guards outside the doors before I walk in to find Arthur sitting in the windowsill using a dagger to carve into the stone, looking immensely bored.
"Why are there guards outside the door?" I question softly and he glances up at me, while I begin to collect laundry that's been strewn about the chambers.
"My father has confined me to my chambers and has forbidden me from accepting Morgause's challenge." He informs me and after speaking with her last night, I'm inclined to agree with Uther.
"Well, maybe he's got a point. You, you don't know what she might've asked you to do." I half-heartedly attempt to dissuade him, knowing already it won't do any good.
"I gave her my word." He counters stubbornly and I sigh, a smile forming on my face before I can stop it as I reach for a boot sitting on the ground next to him.
"So, I take it we're going anyway." I reply knowingly as I throw the boot in the basket and he grins at me, leaning forward to kiss my cheek and I blush, pushing him away to grab a shirt from his bed.
"Of course we are. Gather some supplies, we leave tonight. Oh, and Merlyn … please find a way to get me out of here." He instructs and I scoff, knowing that will take some creativity.
"How's Arthur?" Gaius asks as I walk back into the physician's chambers and I give him a look.
"You mean after being defeated by a girl in front of the whole of Camelot? I've seen him happier." I remark, thinking of him sulking like a child and I grin.
"I think you're enjoying this, Merlyn." Gaius chides, a knowing look on his face and I shrug my shoulders.
"Well, maybe a little." I admit, both of us sharing a grin before noticing a bundle of rope that I slip behind me while Gaius is busy and I excuse myself to my chambers before I'm needed to help Arthur for bed. I quickly make my way to Arthur's chambers, with the rope hidden in a laundry basket underneath my dresses, wearing dark brown trousers, a red tunic, tan braided belt, blue scarf, my hair in a tight braid and tan boots.
"I've got the supplies." I inform him, walking in and setting the laundry basket on the table.
"Merlyn, is it my turn to do your laundry?" He teases, already wearing his chainmail, walking over to stand on my right and I push the dresses back to reveal the rope. He smirks at me before I grab one of his black jackets out of his wardrobe and shrug it on, catching Arthur staring as I do.
"I forgot one and yours look warmer anyway." I mumble, blushing and he winks at me before starting to anchor the rope to the window
"Are you sure you're strong enough to hold me, darling?" He questions and I roll my eyes, causing him to laugh before climbing out the window. He slides halfway down before we run into a problem.
"What are you doing? Lower the rope!" He calls quietly and I sigh, not knowing what to do.
"Give me a bloody minute!" I exclaim in frustration before I quietly use a spell to extend the rope long enough for him to reach the bottom. Once he's down I quickly make my way out of the palace towards Arthur and the horses. We're riding through the forest for several miles before I can't take it.
"Which way? Do you actually know where we're going?" I question, wondering if we've already gotten lost on this adventure.
"It's this way. Come on. What is wrong with this horse?" Arthur complains, trying to change Draco's direction but he continues walking.
"Where are you going? I thought you said it was left?" I wonder, confused as to which way we're going.
"It's not me! It's the horse! Morgause told me. When the time comes, you'll know your way." He explains and I sigh, not happy not having any idea what to expect.
"So the horse knows where we're going. Great." I mutter and he throws a wry smile my way and I chuckle as we continue riding. It's now day as we continue riding in the woods, a comfortable silence and the occasional glances exchanged between us.
"What if Morgause challenges you to do something you don't want to do?" I finally ask, not able to handle the silence and Arthur smirks, probably expecting me to start asking questions earlier.
"I'm not expecting it to be easy, Merlyn. That's why it's called a challenge." He replies, still smirking and I roll my eyes before giving him a look to show I wanted a serious response.
"So you'd do anything she asks of you?" I inquire, not sure how much I trust Morgause after her cryptic answers the other night.
"I gave her my word. It's a question of honour." He replies, smirk replaced with a serious expression and I resist the urge to scoff at the 'Pendragon sense of honor'.
"What if she challenges you to do something even less honourable than breaking your word?" I counter, wishing I could wring my hands but not able to while riding Verity.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Keep watch, Lyn. We're in Odin's territory. We could be attacked at any second." He warns me, swiftly changing the subject and I look over at him, a frown forming on my face.
"I just think it's strange to agree to-" I begin to say but before I can continue, an arrow pierces the tree next to me, spooking Verity who bucks me off, signalling an ambush by Odin's men, just like Arthur expected. I lie on the ground a moment, groaning at the sudden impact before I force myself to a sitting position as I notice a man with a lance in the tree above us.
"Gar onbærne." I whisper the spell, causing the lance to ignite, making the man and the weapon fall to the ground. Arthur finishes off the rest of our attackers before rushing over to where I'm still on the ground, tenderly holding my side.
"Damn it, Merlyn, are you alright? Did they hurt you?" He worriedly questions as he checks me for serious injuries and I try to give a reassuring smile, but it probably shows as a grimace.
Maybe we should turn back. The woods could be full of Odin's men. And I think that stupid horse bruised my ribs knocking me off like that." I reply, looking towards Morgana's horse bitterly before looking back to Arthur, who's frowning intensely.
"You can go back if you want to. You should go back, darling, have Gaius look at you."
"Not without you, prat. You don't know anything about Morgause! You don't know what she's gonna ask you to do! We don't even know where we're going, we're following a bloody horse!" I exclaim before wincing, clutching my side again and he frowns, gathering some bandage from his bag before beginning to wrap my side carefully. I blush slightly before inwardly cursing myself for the action.
"Morgause said she knew my mother." He admits and I raise a brow, clearly not expecting that answer, which makes me all the more suspicious of this woman and her intentions with my prince. As Arthur helps me back onto Verity, Morgana telepathically informs me that she actually slept through the whole night, because of the bracelet Morgause was wearing the night before, adding to my worry. After a few miles, Arthur stops us and announces we'll make camp after noticing my grimaces as we ride. We're sitting at the campfire, slightly closer than was proper but neither of us seem to care.
"What was your mother like?" I ask him softly, not wanting to further irritate my injured ribs, as I glance over at him as he concentrates on the fire.
"I never knew her. She died before I opened my eyes." Arthur informs me, a tinge of sadness in his voice and I gently take his hand in mine, squeezing it.
"I'm sorry, Arthur." I reply, wishing I hadn't asked and he squeezes my hand back.
"I barely know anything about her." He continues, glancing down at me and I frown.
"Can't you ask your father?" I question, hating the pained expression on his face.
"He refuses to talk about her. It must be too painful for him. Sometimes it's as if she never even existed. I still have a sense of her. Almost as though she's part of me." He explains and I nod, understanding sparking in my eyes.
"That's the same with my father. I never knew him. And my mother's barely spoken of him. I've got this…vague memory of him singing to me. It's probably just my imagination." I confide, smiling softly as I hear the melody in my head before looking back to Arthur and he smiles sadly.
"I'd do anything for even the vaguest memory." He immediately replies and I understand his blind willingness to do what Morgause asks of him.
"Is that why you're so determined to find Morgause? To see what she knows about your mother?" I inquire and he looks at me, nodding slightly.
"Is that so wrong?" He asks me quietly and I shake my head, knowing what I would do in his position.
"Of course not. I'd do the same to know my father." I reassure him, placing my head on his shoulder and he gently places an arm around me as we stare at the fire, both of us thinking of the parents we've never known. After ages of riding, our horses come to a stop at a beautiful lake with a waterfall and I sigh, wincing at the pain in my side.
"It seems Draco has brought us to a dead end." I surmise as I continue looking around the lake as Arthur's horse walks forward towards the water.
"Now where's he going?" He wonders aloud before the horse trudges into the lake and behind the waterfall, making my eyebrow raise in disbelief.
"Arthur?" I call out as loud as my injury allows before I follow after him, thankful I grabbed a jacket, emerging from a secret tunnel behind the waterfall to a forest with a large castle in front of us.
"Where are we?" I inquire, looking towards Arthur as he stares at the castle.
"I don't know." He replies, before nodding towards the side, as we lead out horses around the giant stone castle.
"If we weren't sure Morgause was a sorcerer before, we can be certain of it now." I comment, as if I can feel the magic in the air, frowning as I get a strange feeling.
"That must've been how she defeated me. She was using magic." Arthur insists, and if not for my injury I'd have laughed at that.
"Hmm, it didn't look like she was." I tease him and he raises a brow before playfully rolling his eyes.
And you'd know if she used magic, Merlyn?" He tosses back and inwardly I smirk, knowing I would know, but I shake my head at him.
"Course not, I just liked you pouting over her besting you." I retort and he chuckles before dismounting, moving to help me off Verity before we enter a chamber, holding a block of wood and an axe.
"Now what?" Arthur asks, not knowing the importance of the room, as he picks up the axe and I smirk towards him.
"Seeing as there's nobody here, maybe we should ask the horse." I offer and he gives me a look as he twirls the axe before placing it back into the block. "Seeing as there's nobody here, let's go." I remark as I gesture toward the stairs we came in from, wanting to get far away from here.
"You kept your promise." Morgause comments as she enters, and she nods at me before looking back to Arthur.
"What is the nature of the challenge you wish to set me?" Arthur inquires, while I slowly walk to stand just to his right, not wanting to be far from them.
"Place your head on the block." She instructs him as she picks up the axe and I inhale sharply, audibly wincing in pain, making both of them turn to look at me in concern. "You gave me your word that you would do anything I asked." She reminds him, her eyes wavering between him and me as she realizes I'm holding my side awkwardly.
"Arthur, don't." I plead, barely stopping myself from grabbing his arm as he kneels on the ground, placing his head on the block.
"What are you doing? I won't let you do this!" I exclaim, not caring at the pain in my side as I watch him surrender to her.
"Stay out of this, Lyn!" Arthur orders, causing me to freeze not expecting the tone in his voice and he sighs. "Please." He adds softly and I bite my lip, knowing he's trying to protect me.
"Morgause, please." I beg desperately, my eyes widening as she begins to swing the axe before putting it down.
"You have shown that you are truly a man of your word, Arthur Pendragon, and for that I will grant you one wish. Tell me what it is that your heart most desires." She explains the 'challenge' being a test the entire time and I sigh in relief as Arthur stands, checking one me before looking at Morgause, who I'm almost certain noticed the interaction.
"You said you knew my mother. Tell me all that you know about her." He implores confidently as he walks up to her and she nods slightly in reply
"Perhaps you would like to see her." She counters and I narrow my eyes at her, wondering what game she seems to be playing with him.
"I want that more than anything." He answers, and I frown slightly as I imagine how she plans to do that.
"As you wish." She agrees, leading him further in the castle and I follow as fast as I can while trying to think of a way out of this if it's a trap like I fear it may be.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" I inquire quietly looking over at Arthur as he seems deep in thought as he watches her prepare the spell. I exhale deeply, Morgause having healed my ribs as soon as we entered the chambers we're currently sitting in, and he turns to me.
"If you were granted the same opportunity, would you not want to meet your father?" He questions and I frown, him already knowing my answer even if I chose not to voice it.
"Uther won't forgive you if he finds out you've collaborated with a sorcerer." I remark, thinking of what the king would do if he knew of this and Arthur scoffs at the mention of his father.
"What if my father's attitude to magic is wrong, Lyn?" Arthur argues and my eyes widen as I look towards my prince, who's spent the past 2 years voicing his distrust of magic.
"You really think that?" I ask him softly, my eyes searching his face at the words I'd hoped to hear from him.
"Perhaps it's not as simple as he would have us believe. Morgause is a sorcerer, she has caused us no harm. She healed your injured ribs, surely not everyone who practices magic can be evil." He concludes and I feel a grin try to appear before I decide to take his hand, causing him to look at me.
"Just be careful, prat. We don't actually know why she's doing this." I remind him and he nods, understanding my concern, gently squeezing my hand before removing it from my grasp.
"It is time. Close your eyes. Arásae mid min miclan mihte þín suna to helpe. Hider eft funde on þisse ne middangeard þín suna w'æs." Morgause begins chanting the spell and I wring my hands nervously as I ready myself to jump in to defend Arthur at any moment, when a beautiful blonde woman appears in a white beaded dress and I gasp softly.
"Arthur." She utters, causing Arthur to open his eyes as he finally sees his mother. "Arthur." She calls again, surprise and joy in her eyes.
"Mother." He whispers, softly and I smile at the two of them as Ygraine rushes to embrace her grown son.
"My son. When I last held you, you were a tiny baby. I remember your eyes. You were staring up at me. Those few seconds I held you were the most precious of my life." She explains emotionally as she steps back to gently hold his face in her hands.
"I'm so sorry." He replies, his eyes shining with emotion and I lean against the wall behind him, taking in her delicate features.
You have nothing to be sorry for." She assures him, frowning slightly and he leans in to her touch.
"It was my birth that caused you to die." He reminds her and I frown at the guilt he carries for simply being born.
"No, you are not to blame." She argues, squeezing his arms as her eyes well up with tears and I feel wrong to be watching their reunion.
"I cannot bear the thought that you died because of me." He continues emotionally and his mother pulls him into a hug again.
"Do not think that. It is your father who should carry the guilt for what happened." she insists and I push off the wall as I glance to Morgause across the room, who nods slightly, confirming what I suspect.
"What do you mean?" Arthur questions, not understanding why Uther would be at fault and I raise a brow at the man's twisted actions.
"It is not important. What matters is that you lived." She answers, and her gaze finally finds me as she looks over Arthur's shoulder and she seems relieved to see me before Arthur pulls away from her to face her.
"Why should my father feel guilty?" He inquires and Morgause and I share a look of concern, to which I'm surprised to find we agree.
"It is better left in the past." Ygraine replies again, and I frown knowing Arthur won't give up.
"You cannot leave me with more questions. Please." He begs and she glances to the side before sighing, refusing to look at him.
"Your father, he was desperate for an heir. Without a son, the Pendragon dynasty would come to an end. But I could not conceive." She admits and I place a hand to my temple, cursing myself for being right.
"But how was I born? Tell me." Arthur pleads for her to continue, obviously confused and she briefly shuts her eyes before looking back to her son.
"Your father betrayed me. He went to the sorceress Nimueh and asked for her help in conceiving a child. You were born of magic." She replies and I cover my mouth as I reach to hold the wall, a sudden realization hitting me and Morgause steps towards me, steadying me with a knowing look.
"That's not true." Arthur refutes, not wanting to believe what his father has done and I feel a tear fall down my face, while Morgause almost looks sorry for me.
"I'm sorry, Arthur. Your father has deceived you as he deceived me. To create a life, a life must be taken. Your father knew that." Ygraine continues, holding his hands tightly and I try to stem the tears that freely flow down my cheeks and I suddenly look to find that Morgause is holding my hand.
"No." Arthur denies, choking up and I as I finally compose myself Morgause releases my hand before walking back to her original spot.
"He sacrificed my life so the Pendragon dynasty could continue. It makes you no less my son, nor me any less proud of you. Now I see you, I would have given my life willingly. Do not let this knowledge change you." She begs him as he shakes his head, looking to the ground and when he looks back she's disappeared.
"No! Bring her back!" He demands, his voice breaking and my heart tightens at his turmoil and my own unspoken one.
"I cannot. Once the doorway is closed, it is closed forever. I am truly sorry that you learnt of your mother's fate in this way. I can only imagine how it must feel to discover your father is responsible for her death. It is an unforgivable betrayal." She replies sympathetically before leaving the room and I rush to Arthur, gently grabbing his arm as he stares at the place his mother once stood.
"Are you alright? Arthur? Prat?" I gently question, trying to get any response and he simply looks to me, expressionless and I frown worriedly.
"Fetch the horses. We're returning to Camelot." He instructs quietly and I remove my hand, exhaling shakily before we begin the long and silent journey back to Camelot. Arthur dismounts in the square as soon as we arrive, grabbing the sword from his horse before walking up the steps into the castle, leaving me standing there holding the horses.
"What are you going to do?" I call out nervously and he ignores my question as he continues walking, and Gaius walks into the square.
"Merlyn. I'm relieved to see you're safe. Where's Arthur?" He inquires and I walk around him to face the wall as Gaius follows
"Arthur was born of magic. Wasn't he? Uther used magic." I comment, anger rising in the pit of my stomach, as I look to my mentor and see no surprise on his face.
"Merlyn…"
"All those people he's executed…he's as guilty as they are. He sacrificed Arthur's mother! He as good as murdered her! People should know the truth about what he's done. How could you not tell me?" I retort quietly, not understanding how he watched all those innocent people die when Uther's done far worse.
"I feared what Arthur would do if he ever found out." Gaius replies soberly and I bite my lip before a scoffing laugh slips from my mouth.
"Oh, he's found out now." I remark before running into the palace, trying to get to Arthur before he does something he'll regret. I run up the wrought iron stairway, holding my dress skirt in my hand as I finally reach the Council room door being guarded by Leon.
"Sorry, Merlyn. The King has forbidden anyone to enter." He explains and I scoff, exhaling sharply at having run such a distance so quickly, before I glare at him.
"They're going to kill each other! You have to let me talk to Arthur!" I argue, and something in my tone or expression makes him sigh before he steps aside and I open the door, right as Arthur is about to strike Uther, who's pinned to a chair.
"Arthur! Don't! I know you don't want to do this!" I shout, causing him to quickly glance at me before glaring back at his father.
"My mother is dead because of him!" He exclaims, his voice cracking and I step forward, ignoring Leon's urges to remain far away.
"Killing your father won't bring her back. You've lost one parent. Do you really want to lose another?" I question him softly, still approaching and Uther glances at me surprised at my composure.
"Listen to her, Arthur." Uther begs and I give him a look to stop talking while I calm him down.
"Arthur, please, put the sword down." I beg, walking around to the side of the chair so he can look at me, his eyes shining with emotions I recognize as betrayal, anger, grief, and confusion.
"You heard what my mother said! After everything he has done, do you believe he deserves to live?! He executes those who use magic, and yet he has used it himself! You have caused so much suffering and pain! I will put an end to that!" He starts out speaking to me before looking down at his father, yelling the last words at him and I see Gaius enter the chamber.
"Morgause is lying! She's an enchantress. She tricked you. That was not your mother you saw. That was an illusion. Everything…everything your mother said to you…those were Morgause's words." I lie, barely getting the words out, hating myself for it being another secret I keep for him but knowing he won't let Uther live otherwise.
"You don't know that!" He exclaims, torn between believing me or not and I sigh at his dilemma.
"This has been her plan all along! To turn you against your father. And if you kill him, the kingdom will be destroyed! This is what she wants!" I inform him, knowing that's exactly why she summoned Ygraine, and he seems to be considering it.
"Listen to her, she's speaking the truth." Uther insists breathlessly and I frown before looking back to the man I love, pleading with my eyes for him to listen to me, as I walk up to them.
"Swear to me it isn't true! You are not responsible for my mother's death! Give me your word!" He insists angrily and Uther looks close to tears which surprises me.
"I swear on my life, I loved your mother. There isn't a day that passes that I don't wish that she were still alive. I could never have done anything to hurt her." He promises his son and Arthur drops his sword, falling to his knees in front of his father's chair and I wring my hands as I stop myself from going to comfort him.
"My son, you mean more to me than…than anything." Uther mutters softly as he embraces his son and I feel a tear slide down my cheek before I quickly wipe it away as several begin to fall.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Arthur whispers and Uther holds him, while I quietly excuse myself, noticing the looks I receive from Gaius and Leon. I enter Arthur's chambers to find him staring out the window, turning when he hears the door shut.
"I am indebted to you, Lyn. I had become…confused. It is once again clear to me that those who practice magic are evil and dangerous. And that is thanks to you." He informs me and I inwards flinch at that, having already realized the outcome of this at Morgause's castle, which she seemed to feel guilty for causing but I put on a fake smile, which he seems to not notice.
"Glad I could help." I whisper before I go about my nightly chores silently, the strain of having hope that Arthur would accept my magic and having that ripped away in the same day too much for me to act normally. As I walk into the physician's chambers, I'm greeted with Uther waiting inside, and I quickly curtsy awkwardly before looking to the ground.
"My Lord." I greet, nervously trying to portray calm.
"I wanted to thank you in person for your actions yesterday. You are a loyal servant to Arthur. I am most grateful." He explains and I nod, not looking up from my tan boots peeking out of the dark blue dress I'm wearing.
"I was just doing my duty." I mumble softly, not proud with myself for lying to Arthur about his mother.
"You've proven yourself to be a trusted ally in the fight against magic." He continues and I fight the urge to scoff as I glance up at him before looking at my boots again.
"Me?" I repeat, not sure I hear him correctly, but he doesn't acknowledge I spoke.
"Those who practice magic will seek to exploit Arthur's inexperience. They will attempt to corrupt him. We must be extra vigilant."
"I will keep my eyes peeled." I promise and the king gives me a knowing look, that causes a pit to form in my stomach.
"I know you will." He comments finally before turning to exit, suddenly stopping at the door before he turns around. "If you ever speak of what happened between myself and Arthur to another living soul, I will have you hanged." He threatens and I nod, having expected at least one threat.
"Right, of course. Yes, My Lord." I assure him before he leaves and I release the breath I was holding, as Gaius walks in.
"Was that Uther I saw just leaving?" He questions worriedly, glancing at the corridor and I frown.
"Yeah. He just popped in to say hello." I retort, before he narrows his eyes at my glibness.
"Merlyn, what did he want?" He presses and I sigh, looking at Gaius, wringing my hands.
"He wanted to thank me for being a trusted ally in the fight against magic." I force the words out as I sit on the bench, staring at my hands.
"How you've managed to keep that head on your shoulders is a mystery beyond our greatest minds. Uther should be grateful. Your life would've been easier and safer if you'd let him die. You must have been tempted.
MERLIN
Maybe for a moment. But Arthur wouldn't have been able to forgive himself if he'd gone through with it. It would have destroyed him and I couldn't let him go through that.
"I'm proud of you, Merlyn." Gaius remarks, smiling at me and I nod, not feeling well about my actions.
"Yeah, well, Arthur went from possibly accepting magic earlier to hating it again and that's my fault this time. I don't think I can ever tell him about my magic now, Gaius." I admit tearfully and he takes my hand in his comfort.
"I'm almost certain that when you tell him, he'll accept you Merlyn. It's his destiny to do so." He assures me before going to start supper and I frown at that.
"Not necessarily, Gaius." I mutter disenhearted before making an excuse to go see Morgana, who was livid I didn't inform her of my 'adventure' until I explained right before bursting into hysterics at my revelation that I covered for Uther.
"Lyn, he loves you. I know that when the time comes for you to tell him, he'll accept it. He might be annoyed that we kept it from him but he'll come around I promise. I've seen something of your future, you know." She admits slyly and my eyes widen as I shove her playfully and we both laugh before my hands fall back in my lap, a frown on my face as I stare at her.
"You can't confess that and not tell me what you've seen, Mor." I chide and she takes my hands in hers, squeezing them to stop my nervous gesture.
"I want to try to show you. I've been practicing like you told me and I think I've got the hang of it now." She tells me and I nod, closing my eyes as I feel her project her vision to my mind.
Arthur and I are sitting under a tree, one I recognize as the clearing where Morgana and I have her lessons. I'm wearing a gorgeous red velvet dress with gold adornments and Arthur is laughing at something I've said. I look over at him, smiling before I turn to see Morgana walking into the clearing smirking at us.
"You've had your turn, now it's time for my lesson, and for that I need my mentor so begone King Arthur." She teases and he rolls his eyes, while I scoff, looking towards Morgana before I smirk.
"I wish you'd listen to me and turn her into a frog." He remarks and I laugh loudly before my eyes flash gold and Morgana screeches as a dragon made of smoke appears in front of her, while Arthur and I laugh.
"See? He loves you more than he fears magic, Lyn." She repeats and I feel a smile slowly spread across my face, because when I did magic in the vision Arthur's eyes never left mine. I didn't see the fear or hatred I expected to find, only love and even wonder.
"Thank you." I whisper and she embraces me before I sneak back to my chambers, smiling as I dream of the future, hopeful that what Mor showed me comes to pass.