Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin! I only own my OC, and any other characters or plotlines I make up along the way!

AN: WELCOME TO PART 1 OF THE SEASON 3 FINALE! I CAN'T BELIEVE WE'RE HERE!

This chapter was surprisingly easy to write, so two updates in one day! Yay!

ENJOY!

For a good long while, everything was quiet. Everything was fine. Even Morgause and Morgana had calmed down for a while.

But, of course, I could never enjoy peace and quiet.

A small group of Camelot's army was dead courtesy of Cenred, and Arthur had come to explain it to Uther.

"It was Cenred who did this, you're certain of it?" Uther clarified while we all stood in the great hall.

Arthur nodded. "Yes, My Lord. His messenger has only this minute departed Camelot. Cenred said that the patrol trespassed on his land and an example had to be made."

"How many dead?" Uther went on.

"All of them, Sire. Every last man," Arthur explained.

"The knights?" Uther asked.

Arthur shook his head. "All lost. Edric, Oldof, Osric, and Sir Leon."

My heart broke a little at the news of Sir Leon's death. He was the very first Knight that I had met, and he was one of the best.

However, a few days later, Sir Leon had miraculously returned, alive and unharmed.

"We thought you were dead for sure," Arthur said as he did the weird man version of a hug, grabbing Leon's arm with his own and giving it a firm shake.

"I was dead, or as good as, until the druids found me," Leon said.

Uther froze. "Druids?"

Leon nodded. "Yes, My Lord. I owe them my life."

"How did they heal you? You were as good as dead, you said," Uther wondered.

"I don't know," Leon responded.

"Did they use magic?" Uther tried again.

Leon hesitated. "Well, I..."

"Yes or no, it's a simple enough question," Uther told him.

"I only know that I drank from some kind of cup, Sire," Leon finally answered.

Uther cut him off. "Cup?"

"It was extraordinary, My Lord," Leon explained. "I have known nothing like it. From the moment it touched my lips, I could feel my life return to me."

Uther's face changed, like he knew what that Cup did, but he shook it off. "Well, your trials have left you weary, I'm sure. We must let him rest."

"I thought the Cup was destroyed with Nimueh when I defeated her on the Isle of the Blessed," Merlin said as he, Gaius, and I all sat in their chambers.

"The Cup cannot be destroyed. It's magic is eternal, unbound by time or place," Gaius explained.

"That doesn't explain why Uther fears it," I pointed out. "Why does he fear it?"

"Because the Cup can be used for evil as well as good," Gaius went on.

Merlin and I exchanged confused looks before we looked back to Gaius. "I don't understand," he said for the two of us.

"Many centuries ago, it fell into the possession of a great warlord," Gaius started. "One night, he gathered his army before him. He took a drop of blood from each and every man and collected it in the Cup. Such was the vessel's power that the soldiers were made immortal where they stood."

"So they could not be killed," Merlin concluded.

"The carnage they wrought was beyond all imagining. The King's no fool. He knows that the forces of the Old Religion are rising against him once more. Heaven forbid that the Cup should fall into the hands of Morgause," Gaius said.

Merlin and I exchanged worried looks. "Morgana," we both said at the same time.

"With Such a weapon at their disposal, Camelot would be all but lost," Gaius revealed.

I nodded. "I will keep my ear out for any news and let you two know as soon as possible."

"What is it, Morgana?" I demanded as she dragged me down to the basement of the castle. "You know that I hate the basement of the castle because of all of its spiders!"

"Trust me, Sister, I would not bring you here if it weren't urgent," she said, eventually coming to a stop and looking around.

I felt a presence behind me, and the two of us turned around to see Morgause appearing behind us. "What is it you wanted to tell me, Sisters?"

"Arthur rides at dawn," Morgana started. "He's been sent to recover some kind of cup. The Cup of Life, they called it?"

Morgause's eyes literally twinkled at the mention of the Cup. "The Cup of Life? Are you sure?"

Morgana nodded. "I heard every word."

"How long I have searched for it," Morgause said wistfully as she paced around us.

"Is it as powerful as they believe?" I asked, though I knew the answer. I had to maintain appearances, after all.

"Oh, yes," Morgause nodded as she turned her head in our direction. "Trust me, Sisters, with the Cup in our possession, Camelot would soon be at our mercy. Where is the Cup now?"

"It's in the hands of the druids. All I know is that their camp lies within Cenred's kingdom," Morgana answered.

"Then perhaps Cenred will be of use to us again," Morgause smirked. "He has spies everywhere. If he can have Arthur followed..."

"Then Arthur will lead us all the way to the Cup itself," Morgana finished with a grin on her face that I was forced to match.

Well, I guess I didn't have to wait very long for that information after all.

After we both went back upstairs, we split up. I once again hid behind a pillar, waiting for Merlin. When I peeked over the pillar and saw the warlock walking down the hall, I reached out and grabbed his wrist, pulling him into the small enclosure so that the two of us were in private.

I looked over the pillar to make sure that we were alone in the hall before I turned back to face Merlin. "Listen, you've got to stop doing this. What if someone were to catch-"

"That doesn't matter," I shook off. "Is Arthur taking you with him on a quest?"

He scrunched up his face in confusion as he nodded. "Yes, but how-"

"Morgana overheard Uther talking to Arthur," I told him. "And then Morgana told me and Morgause. I take it Arthur hasn't told you where you're going?"

Merlin shook his head. "No, he said he'd have to kill me if he told me."

I rolled my eyes. "He's so dramatic," I shook my head free of the thought. "Never mind that. You and Arthur are going to be searching for the Cup of Life. It's in a Druid camp that lies in Cenred's Kingdom."

Merlin rolled his eyes. "Perfect! Cenred's Kingdom is filled with bandits."

I smacked him upside the head. "Merlin! That's not why I'm worried! Do you forget who's allied with Cenred?"

Merlin's face darkened as he realized. "Morgause."

I nodded. "Yeah. Morgause is planning to get Cenred's men to follow you two. Now, they're probably not going to attack you until you are actually in possession of the Cup, but still, you must be careful and be aware." I put my hands on his cheeks. "Promise me you'll be careful?"

He nodded, putting his arms around me as he pulled me into a hug. "I promise."

"I'd go with you, but Uther won't let me," I explained. "So you're going to have to be extra careful, since I won't be there to watch out for you."

He pulled back from our hug. "Thanks, that makes me feel very manly."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Get over yourself," I said, but I stood on my tip toes and gave him a kiss. I pulled back, leaning my forehead on his. "Be careful," I whispered again.

He nodded against my forehead. "I promise."

Merlin and Arthur left afterwards, and they were gone for a long time. Uther, Morgana, and I were waiting in the great hall, where Uther was pacing back and forth in front of Leon.

"Arthur should be back by now," Uther worried.

"I'm sure there's a simple explanation, Sire," Leon said, trying to calm him.

"You know as well as I do he's been gone too long," Uther retorted. "Take a patrol, as many men as you need. Whatever it takes, find him."

Leon nodded. "Yes, Sire," he said, then took his leave.

"You show great strength, My Lord," Morgana started.

"What do you mean?" Uther asked.

It was my turn after that. "Well, day after day you send your only son into danger."

"Not a responsibility any father would wish to bear," Uther agreed.

"You must try not to worry. He's the First Knight of Camelot and your greatest warrior," Morgana said, and I could tell that she was slithering with disgust at her own words. "He's made it home safe in the past. Why should this time be any different?"

"You're right. Of course you are," Uther said as he took each of our hands, giving them a squeeze. Uther then also left, leaving me and Morgana.

Morgana looked after him in disgust before she turned to me, giving me an eager smile. "It is almost time, Sister. Are you ready?"

I had no choice but to nod. "As ready as you are. We've been waiting a long time for this, Morgana." I lifted my chin. "The fruits of our labour shall be very sweet indeed."

Morgana squealed in delight as she reached over and pulled me into a hug. "You have been by my side throughout all of this, Lizzie. You truly are the best sister a girl could ask for."

Since Morgana couldn't see my face, I let myself frown as I responded, "So are you, Morgana. So are you."

"We must convene the Council of War," Uther demanded in the council chamber a bit later.

Morgause had gotten her hands on the Cup of Life somehow, and she had made Cenred's army immortal. They were now marching towards Camelot, prepared to take it over now that no weapon could kill them.

"They cannot be stopped. The soldiers, Sire, they will not fall," Leon insisted.

"What are you saying?" Uther asked in horror.

"They will not die," Leon clarified.

Uther was obviously distraught, but he kept a level head as he ordered, "Gather the knights. Prepare whatever defences you can."

"But Sire..." Leon started.

Uther cut him off. "Do it!"

Morgana smirked as she linked her arm with mine. Leon bowed and exited with the other court members.

Uther turned to Gaius. "Cenred. It must be. How? The location of the Cup was secret."

"There's only one explanation, Sire," Gaius said, his eyes flickering to Morgana specifically. "We have a traitor in our midst."

As Camelot's army prepared for war, Morgana and I went back to her chambers. When we got there, we saw Gwen shaking her head as she stared out the window, no doubt watching the immortal army that was marching towards Camelot.

"Gwen?" I called, getting her attention.

"Is it true they attack at dawn?" Gwen asked worriedly.

I nodded. "I'm afraid so."

"And no word from Arthur?" She asked again.

Morgana shook her head with a grin on her face. "Nothing."

Gwen deflated significantly. "Then all is lost. We'll be massacred, every last one of us."

Morgana hesitated before saying, "Not everyone has to die."

"What do you mean 'not everyone'?" Gwen wondered.

"Those that defy them, those that choose to fight, they will surely die," Morgana told her as we walked towards her. "But those who do not resist, those that choose to welcome change," Morgana reached over and took my hand in hers, then turned back to Gwen. "they will have a future here. Everyone has a choice, Gwen."

"You know I have always been loyal to you, Morgana, Elizabeth," Gwen finally said, nodding at the two of us. "And I always will be."

Morgana smiled as she reached over and took Gwen's hand with her free one. "Then have no fear. No harm will come to you, I promise you that."

Gwen smiled and nodded as Morgana and I reached over and hugged her. Morgana had a smirk on her face as she stared out at the army, and because Morgana could see me this time, I was forced to match it.

Oh Merlin, where are you? I thought to myself desperately.

Of course, Camelot's army had nothing on an immortal army, and Cenred's men had taken over Camelot very easily. Uther had been taken down to the dungeons when we had taken over, and most of Cenred's men filled the castle.

There was still no sign of Merlin and Arthur. I tried reaching out to Merlin in my mind, but there was never any answer, like there was something blocking our signal.

When night had fallen, I was dressed up in a very nice gown for my sister's coronation. I could feel myself crumbling on the inside as I smoothed my dress out, tears sneaking out of my eyes. I hastily wiped them away before someone could come in and see me crying.

So this was it. After every precaution Merlin and I had tried to take, Morgause and Morgana had won anyways.

Maybe I should have told Uther as soon as I had gotten back to Camelot all those months ago what Morgana's true intentions were. Maybe he would have believed me, maybe he wouldn't have. Morgana's intentions were different back then; all she had wanted was Camelot destroyed. But when she found out that she had a legititmate right to the throne, that was all she could think of. All she craved was Camelot's power.

I could have stopped this. I could have prevented it, even. But I didn't. I always told myself that it was so that I could gain information, but the truth was I was nothing but a coward. Somehow, deep down, I had believed that I could make Morgana see sense, that what she was doing was wrong, that she didn't really want to do this, that I could get my Morgana back. But it was too late. It was far too late.

There was a knock at the door that took me out of my thoughts, and I quickly did another wipe of my cheeks before I turned around to face the door. "Come in!" I called out, proud of my voice for not cracking.

Morgana walked in, wearing a breath taking white gown. Her lips were blood red as she smiled at me, looking down at her dress. "What do you think of my coronation dress, Lizzie?"

I made myself smile as I took her hands in mine, holding her at arm's length from me as I took in her dress. "You've never looked more beautiful before, Morgana."

She smiled tearfully at me. "Thank you, Sister. It means so much to me that you're here. It means so much to me that you're my sister. You've always been my best friend, but now that I know that we share a much closer bond, I have never been more grateful to have you in my life."

If that had come from the old Morgana, I would have been in tears because of her nice words. But this was from the new Morgana, and all it did was make me feel disgusted with myself that I had let this charade go on for so long. But of course, I couldn't voice that out loud, so all I said was, "I feel the same way, Sister." I offered her my arm, trying not to let it tremble. "Now, let's go crown you queen."

Morgana and I stood off to the side of the Throne Room as we waited for the immortal soldiers to bring in Uther. Once they did, they forced him to his knees in front of Morgause at the front of the room where the throne was.

"Well, Uther, how the mighty have fallen," Morgause remarked with a grin. She delicately reached down and removed Uther's crown. "I don't think you'll be needing this anymore."

"This is unlawful," Uther growled. "You cannot do this. You have no right to the throne!"

Morgana and I finally stepped out of the shadows. "No, she does not," Morgana started, and Uther looked over at her with horror. Morgana smirked. "But I do."

She walked over to stand in front of Uther, switching places with Morgause. "I am your daughter, after all." She bit.

Uther's shock at her knowledge of her true parentage made her say, "Don't look so surprised. I've known for some time." She looked over at me. "And you kept the knowledge that Elizabeth was my sister away from me as well. You always did count on her loyalty." She looked back to Uther. "I guess we now know where her loyalty truly lies."

I felt a pair of eyes on me, and I nervously looked up to the balcony of the Throne Room, where I saw Merlin and Arthur hiding. Merlin already knew all of this, so he didn't look surprise, but the look of shock and heartbreak on Arthur's face was almost enough for me to reveal their hiding spots as I begged for forgiveness. I, however, was smarter than that, so instead of giving them away, I tore my gaze away from them as I looked over at Morgana, who had gone and sat on the throne in front of Uther.

Morgause nodded to a soldier, and the soldier shoved Geoffrey of Monmouth forward, the queen's crown in his hands. Hesitantly, he declared, "By the power vested in me, I crown thee Morgana Pendragon, Queen of Camelot."

Geoffrey puts the crown on Morgana's head, and the immortal soldiers that were holding Uther pushed him down towards the ground, bowing him before his daughter, the newly crowned Queen.

As Morgana and Morgause smirked, I looked back up towards Merlin and Arthur. Arthur had a look of horror on his face, and he was too distracted by the knowledge that Morgana was his sister and was now sitting on their father's throne to notice that I was staring at him, but Merlin's eyes shifted over to meet mine, and I knew we were both thinking the same thing.

The battle for Camelot is about to begin.

TBC...

THE COMING OF ARTHUR PART 2 WILL BE SOOOOOOO GOOOD!

REVIEW! FOLLOW! FAVOURITE! THANKS! STAY TUNED!

THE ADVENTURES OF ELIZABETH MALINOR CONTINUE...

Arthur and his friends enter the castle of the ancient kings.

Queen Morgana, Morgause, and Elizabeth stand before Camelot on the castle's balcony with their immortal army below them, poised to shoot their arrows.

Kilgharrah flies through the sky.

Morgana looks behind her to a tearful, chained up Uther.

The immortal soldiers turn their weapons on to the civilians, and Sir Leon screams, "No!"

Merlin races through the forest as soldiers chase him.

Arthur and the other Knights of Camelot fight against the soldiers at the castle.

Lancelot rescues his friends as they try to escape.

Gwen and Arthur share a kiss.

Elizabeth and Merlin share a kiss.

Arthur rips the cloth covering a round table off.

A hand with Excalibur in its grip shoots out of the water at Lake Avalon, the sword gleaming in the sun.

TUNE INTO THE FINAL EPISODE OF SEASON 3! IT'S GONNA BE A BIG ONE!