Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin! I only own my OC, and any other characters or plotlines I make up along the way!
AN: Sorry for the gap in writing!
ENJOY!
The next morning, I had woken up by myself. Morgana was back in her sleeping bag, and I could only hope that she hadn't gone to Morgause after I fell asleep.
Unfortunately, I never got the things I hoped for, because after I had packed my blankets away in my bag she had come over to me and whispered that she had met with Morgause and had told her about the tunnels. "Everything is going as according to plan!" She said giddily before she walked away.
Yeah sure, but not my plan.
When we were riding in the woods later, a snake suddenly showed up in front of Morgana's horse. The horse got spooked and threw Morgana off of its back. She screamed as she fell to the ground.
Merlin was already off his horse when she had fallen to the ground, making me think he had made the snake show up in front of the horse. "Are you alright?" He asked her as he grabbed one of her arms to help her keep her balance.
"Ow, my leg," She moaned as she clutched it. I put my arms around her to try and support her.
"Can you walk?" Arthur asked.
"No, it's your ankle. You need to rest it," Merlin insisted.
"We don't have that kind of time," Arthur argued.
"We can't go on without her," Gwen pointed out.
"What other choice do we have?" Merlin asked.
"No, no, it's alright. I can go on," Morgana dismissed.
"No, you can't! You'll only make it worse," Merlin stressed.
"I said I'm fine," She seethed, ripping her arm out of his grasp and putting her other arm around me, leaning heavily on me.
"You were lucky. It could've been serious," Arthur told her gently. He looked up at his manservant. "Come on, Merlin, don't just stand there." He looked back at his unknown sister. "You alright?"
"Yeah," She nodded, and I helped her back onto her horse before we took off again. I exchanged a sneaky look with Merlin, and we were both disappointed that his trick hadn't worked.
When we got to the entrance of the tunnel, Arthur had told us to stay close. Morgana and I trailed a bit behind Arthur, Merlin and Gwen. I moved to follow them, but Morgana grabbed my arm before I could enter the cave.
"What is it?" I asked.
She reached into her pocket and produced a small ring. "Morgause told me that if I left this at the mouth of the cave, she'd be able to find us. Do you think it'll work?"
Oops. Didn't factor that into my equation. Morgana should have told me earlier about that dumb ring! At least if she had I could have stolen it off of her and gotten rid of it. Instead of panicking, I gave her a look and said, "Do you not have faith in our sister?"
She broke out into a smile. "You're right. You're always, right Lizzie." She placed the ring down on the ground and grabbed my arm, leading me away from the ring. I couldn't take my eyes off of it as I waited for something to happen, but it didn't.
I had to destroy that ring. I had to. But how to get Morgana away from me?
"Morgana!" I said suddenly, pausing in my tracks. "You go on up ahead, I dropped something back there. A...a dagger!"
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" She asked.
I shook my head as I began backing up. "I'm sure I can go get a dagger by myself. Besides, Cenred's on our side, remember?"
Before she could say anything else, I spun on my heel and ran back to the mouth of the cave. To my horror, the ring began crackling as a orange smoke faintly started emitting from it. I immediately drew my sword as I ran and when I got to the ring, I brought it up and down on the rock. The ring exploded as my sword came into contact with it, and the force of the magic being destroyed sent me flying backwards. I landed hard on my back, and I had to bring my arm up to cover my face as the tiny shards from the ring went everywhere. Once I was sure it wasn't raining shards anymore, I brought my arm back down, and I saw that the ring had stopped smoking and that its orange colour had begun to fade. I grabbed my sword from where I had dropped it and scrambled to my feet before Morgana could decide I was taking too long and come after me.
By the time I got back to Morgana, Arthur was saying, "Stick together, everyone. We need to keep moving."
We walked for a bit before the sound of footsteps alerted us that we were being followed. "Quiet. Quick, this way," Arthur harshly whispered as he began leading us into another tunnel. Unfortunately, footsteps began sounding from that tunnel as well.
"We're trapped," Arthur cursed.
"How did they know we were here?" Merlin asked no one in particular.
How did they know we were here? I destroyed the ring!
"It was probably my scream. I'm sorry," Gwen apologized.
We tried to fight back but once Gwen was captured Arthur immediately had us surrender. We were taken into the castle of Fyrien's throne room, where the five of us were thrown onto the ground in front of Cenred. I saw Morgause out of the corner of my eye where she was hiding, but I ignored her.
"Well, well, Arthur Pendragon. How kind of you to pay me a visit," Cenred patronized. His gaze flickered over to Morgana and I. "And look, you brought some friends with you." He bent down in front of us and tried to tap the bottom of our chins. "Oh, the Lady Morgana and the Lady Elizabeth, no less."
"Don't so much as breathe on us, you pig," Morgana fake hissed as she tried to move in front of me to "protect" me.
"Well, the more the merrier, I say," Cenred chuckled.
"I'm the one you want, Cenred. Let them go," Arthur tried to bargain.
"You're right, that would only be fair," Cenred said in a condescending tone. "But fair's for fools. Take them away!"
Two guards roughly grabbed me by the upper arm and began dragging me out of the room as guards grabbed a hold of my friends and began pushing them out of the room.
"I won't let you harm them! They're innocent!" Arthur immediately began fighting against the guards that were pulling him back.
"'Innocent'?" Cenred mocked in disbelief as we were all taken away. "No friend of Camelot is innocent!"
Morgana and I were brought back to the throne room after a few minutes, where we were roughly pushed into the room. Morgana gave the guards who brought in a dark glare before looking over at Morgause in disbelief.
"Sisters, you are unharmed, I trust," Morgause said as she walked over to Morgana and I, taking each of our hands.
"I certainly won't be thanking Cenred's men anytime soon," I spat as I gave Cenred a very real glare. Being around him, Morgana, and Morgause all at once was enough to really make me think about what I was doing with my intent to betray all of them. It wasn't my loyalty to Camelot I was doubting, it was my safety. Sister or not, if I turned on Morgana and Morgause, they'd cast me out of their lives and I'd be marked as an enemy forever.
"Forgive me, but, er...we must keep up appearances," Cenred threw out casually.
"What've you done with Arthur?" Morgana asked.
"He's safely under lock and key," Morgause assured her.
"Why not just kill him now?" Morgana demanded.
My heart dropped with fear as I immediately said, "No!" At the same time Cenred said, "How cold hearted you've become."
All the eyes in the room turned to me in surprise at my protest. I tried not to stutter as I offered a half hearted explanation. "I mean, Arthur may not have many uses, but he still serves one purpose. No one knows more about Camelot's defences than him, Uther tells him everything. Arthur is, after all, his 'best knight'."
Morgause nodded. "Eliza is right, Morgana."
Morgana scoffed. "Arthur will never tell you anything."
"Cenred has his methods," Morgause said, eyeing the King. A thought struck her mind as she turned to look over at us. "Sisters, we almost did not find you. You used the ring, right?"
Morgana nodded. "Yes, Lizzie was with me when I did it. What do you mean, you almost didn't find us?"
"The magic to direct us to you was almost nonexistent." Morgause lifted a shoulder. "It was there, but it was very faint. Something must have happened to it to weaken its magic."
Gulp. "Perhaps some animal did something to it," I lied.
Morgause nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, that seems like the only logical explanation."
Before Morgause could ask anything further, I was literally saved by the bell as the warning bells of the castle sounded.
"Arthur," Cenred growled as he got off of his throne and walked towards the doors.
"You should've killed him when you had the chance!" Morgana said as she tried following him.
"He won't get far. My men will deal with him easily enough," Cenred assured.
"Cenred, if he escapes..." I started, playing my role.
"Do not fret, Sister," Morgause said to me as she put a hand on my shoulder, causing me to look over at her. "You and Morgana are like family to our brave Prince. He will not leave this place without the two of you. And when he comes, we'll be waiting."
"And then, My Ladies Morgana and Elizabeth, you two must play your parts well," Cenred instructed.
Morgana grinned maliciously as she reached over and took my hand, giving it a tight squeeze. "When have we not?"
And I was playing two roles. Someone give me an award.
This was how we set it up: Cenred held one sword to Morgana's neck and readied the other for Arthur, while another guard held a dagger to my own throat. I was in absolutely no danger at all, since Morgause made sure the dagger was blunt before she let the guard put it near my neck (she'd never let anything happen to her precious sister) but having a dagger held to your throat was not a nice feeling.
Arthur burst into the room, and Cenred pointed his sword threateningly at him as he barked, "That's close enough."
"Please don't hurt us," Morgana begged, but Cenred just held the sword closer to her throat as the guard that was holding me pressed the dagger closer against my own.
"One more step and they die," Cenred warned.
"You're a coward, Cenred," Arthur spat. "You always were."
"Ha-ha-ha. It's cowards that survive, Arthur," Cenred laughed. "Now put down your sword."
Morgause came out from behind the pillar she was hiding behind as she said, "Do as he says." Arthur's eyes widened a bit with surprise, but it was quickly replaced with a knowing glare. Morgause smirked. "You seem surprised."
"Hardly. I know what you're capable of," Arthur glared at her.
Elizabeth? I heard in my mind, and I relaxed a bit as I heard Merlin's voice enter my mind. Are you alright?
I'm fine, I answered as I looked around for my boyfriend (was he my boyfriend? I'd assume so). I'm in no real danger. Just take care of Arthur, save Arthur.
"Oh, you have no idea," Morgause smirked as she summoned a pillar of fire and launched it in Arthur's direction.
Fortunately, Merlin must have used a spell that made the pillar explode into flames before it could hit Arthur, causing everyone in the room to be blown backwards as the ceiling collapsed.
I groaned in pain as my back hit the wall, and I slid down to the ground, bumping my head against a sharp piece of the ceiling and cutting my forehead.
I felt a hand grab my arm and pull me into a sitting position, and I blinked hard to get back into focus. Once I did, I finally made the figure out to be Arthur. "You alright?" He asked. His face dropped as his eyes landed on my forehead. "Your head is bleeding."
"I'm fine," I insisted as I shakily stood on my feet.
Merlin ran into the throne room at the same time, and his eyebrows furrowed in concern as he saw the trail of blood that was slowly trickling its way down my face.
"Merlin?!" Arthur snapped, bringing Merlin's attention back to him. "What the hell are you doing here?!"
"I thought you might need some help!" Merlin offered weakly.
"Get out of here now!" Arthur ordered.
Merlin grabbed a hold of Morgana's arm, who in turn grabbed a hold of mine as Merlin dragged the two of us out of the room.
Morgana was doing fine until we reached the tunnels. Me, on the other hand, I was stumbling around everywhere. I guess my forehead injury was worse than I thought, because I could feel myself losing a lot of blood. By the time we got to the tunnels, Morgana and I were both ready to pass out.
"I can't go on!" Morgana dug her heels into the ground, which stopped Merlin from running.
"What's the matter? Worried about your friends?" Merlin patronized.
"No! My ankle!" Morgana protested.
"I'm not a fool, Morgana! I know what you're trying to do!" Merlin bellowed as he tugged on her arm, which caused me to pitch forward slightly.
"You know nothing!" Morgana hissed, finally ripping her hand from Merlin's grasp. Morgana shuffled backwards, which made me shuffle backwards and hit my foot against a rock. My blood loss finally took full effect as I went tumbling backwards, landing once again on my back.
"Lizzie!" Merlin and Morgana both said at the same time.
Morgana dropped down on to the ground next to me as she lifted my head on to her lap. Her fingers lightly grazed the cut on my head, and I took in a sharp breath at the pain. "Sister..." She breathed, cradling my face in her hands.
"Elizabeth," Merlin tried taking a step forwards.
Morgana snapped her head up at Merlin. "Don't even come near us," She hissed at him as she drew her arm around me protectively.
"What's wrong?" Arthur asked as he finally caught up to us.
"It's Lizzie," Morgana explained. "Her head wound, she's lost a lot of blood. She can't walk. And my ankle, I can't walk either."
Arthur had only a few seconds to think. He snapped his fingers, "Merlin, pick up Elizabeth."
"What? No!" Morgana protested, obviously not wanting me anywhere near Merlin.
"We don't have time to argue!" Arthur disputed as he gestured from Merlin to me. "Now, Merlin!"
Merlin picked me up in a fireman's carry as Arthur did the same to Morgana.
"What are you doing?!" She demanded.
"Trust me, I don't like it any more than you do!" Arthur argued as he adjusted Morgana on his back. "Come on, Merlin!"
Merlin was surprisingly strong enough to carry me through the woods until we came to a stop in front of Gwen and who I assumed was her brother, Elyan, who were waiting in the woods with the horses.
"I thought I told you to ride for Camelot!" Arthur said to her.
"You might be a prince, but I don't always have to do what you tell me to," Gwen pointed out.
Before anyone of us could do anything, two more of Cenred's men jumped out from behind some bushes and attacked us. Arthur took one out while Elyan managed to kill the other.
"Not bad," Arthur approved as he nodded his head at Elyan.
"Well, practice makes perfect, I guess," Elyan smirked.
After I had my head bandaged up (Morgana insisted on doing the dressing herself) and I drank a little water, I felt a bit stronger. I was still uneasy on my feet, but I was well enough to sit up on my own horse and wait until we got back to Gaius to have my wound properly treated.
"What did Cenred want with you two?" Arthur asked Morgana and I, obviously referring to when Arthur "rescued" us.
"He was trying to extract information," Morgana swiftly lied. "We told him nothing."
"See, that's what men like Cenred will never understand. Camelot was built on trust and loyalty. We will never be defeated as long as we stay true to those ideals," Arthur declared.
Morgana smiled at him, but I saw the hidden meaning behind it.
Her plot for his downfall was only just beginning.
TBC...
Not a lot of Merlin and Elizabeth in this one actually, but we got some of Elizabeth's double agent stuff going on so that was good! I am loving the double agent aspect of season 3.
Eye of the Phoenix up next! We get to see the return of Gwaine!
Also, SIX EPISODES LEFT THIS SEASON! I HAVE SO MANY GREAT PLANS FOR SEASON 4!
REVIEW! FOLLOW! FAVOURITE! THANKS! STAY TUNED!
THE ADVENTURES OF ELIZABETH MALINOR CONTINUE...
Arthur opened up the doors to the throne room.
"He has to decide upon a quest," Merlin explained to Gwen.
"I am to enter the realm of the Fisher King and find the Golden Trident," Arthur revealed to Uther.
"Honestly, it's like he intentionally tries to make things harder for himself," Elizabeth complained to Merlin.
"Couldn't you have chosen something a little easier?" Merlin asked Arthur.
"Present this to the prince as a token of your good wishes," Morgause, disguised as an old woman, explained to Morgana and Elizabeth as she held out the Eye of the Phoenix to them.
"It's an Eye of the Phoenix," Gaius revealed to Merlin and Lizzie.
Morgana lit a voo doo doll like thing on fire.
"If it's worn for too long, Arthur will die," Gaius told the two young adults.
"I have to go after him," Merlin decided.
"We have to go after him," Elizabeth corrected.
"You'll need help," Gaius insisted.
Gwaine, Merlin, and Elizabeth all sat around a fire and suddenly looked up at the sound of a roar.
"So, Magic and Hope have arrived," the Keeper of the Bridge said.
"When he does not return, you, Sister, will take your place as sole air to the throne of Camelot," Morgause devised to Morgana.
TUNE IN NEXT TIME!