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 SEASON 4 BITCHES!

Let's get right into it!

Enjoy!

Obviously Merlin had millions of questions following my revelation that I was from a different universe. And I told him the truth. All of it.

He was rather surprised when he found out that his life was a TV show, but when he prompted me for details, I was forced to tell more truth-I didn't remember. My accident following our confrontation with Nimueh all those years ago had stripped me of my memories.

After he got over the shock that his life was a TV show, he asked me about everything else regarding my former life. My family, my friends, modern technology. Everything fascinated him.

To my surprise, he still wanted to marry me. I thought that he'd break off the engagement, especially since I had been lying to him for years, in a weird way, but he told me that it didn't matter.

"I love you, and I'll always love you," he assured me.

If it was impossible for Arthur to believe that I could be in love with Merlin, he couldn't believe his ears when we told him our intent to get married. He kind of stood there, dumbfounded, but then proceeded to lecture Merlin that if he ever hurt me, he'd be banished from the Kingdom then hunted down.

So in a weird way, we got his blessing.

It was really important for me to have Arthur's blessing to get married to Merlin, because he was like my brother. We'd gotten even closer since we reclaimed Camelot back from Morgana. With Uther currently unable to rule Camelot, he had taken on the role and treated me like I was the Queen, valuing my input on important decisions and leaving the care of Camelot in my hands whenever he had to leave.

As for the people of Camelot, they were pretty surprise when they found out that the Lady of Camelot was marrying Prince Arthur's manservant, but they rejoiced anyways. After all, there was going to be a party and celebrations.

The only person that wasn't aware of our marriage yet was...

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Arthur asked. "Maybe my father will go easier on you if I'm there."

I shook my head. "No. This is my marriage. so I have to do this alone."

Arthur shook his head. "How could I have missed how deeply the two of you were in love?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe Merlin and I were just better at hiding it than you and Gwen were."

Arthur gave me a look, but he patted my back encouragingly. "Go on, then. I'll be right outside if you need me."

"Thank you, Arthur," I told him sincerely. I drew a deep breath, then walked in.

I shut the door behind me and went over to where Uther was sitting by the window. We managed to get him out of bed eventually, since Gaius said it would be good for him not to be in bed all day, but all he did was stare out the window. He wouldn't speak, he wouldn't eat. I made an effort every single day to come here and talk to him. Just idle things-how my day was, what was going on in town, anything on my mind.

This time, I had something really serious to talk about.

I sat down across from him. "Hello, Sire."

He didn't acknowledge me. He just continued to stare out the window.

"Right," I said. I might as well get it over with. Do it quick, like a band aid. "I have some news for you, my Lord, but I don't know how well you're going to take it."

More silence. I took that as an invitation to continue. "I'm getting married," I blurted.

That caught his attention. He whipped his head to face me. "Married? That is preposterous. To whom?"

I gulped nervously. "Merlin."

"Arthur's manservant?" Uther asked incredulously.

"Just listen to me before you make a judgment," I said frantically. "I love Merlin very very much. And he loves me very very much. And I don't want to be with anyone but him. He'd be a good husband to me, and I a good wife to him." I sucked in a deep breath. "It doesn't matter if you approve or not, because I'm going to marry him anyways. However, I would very much appreciate if you gave your consent and attended the wedding, especially since my own father is not here to do so. You took me in, raised me, looked at me as if I was your own daughter. It would kill me if you didn't approve of my marriage."

Uther was quiet for a couple of minutes. Then, he said, "When is the wedding?"

My heart soared as I choked out a sob, and I reached forward and hugged Uther tightly. "Thank you, my Lord!"

"Your father would be so proud to see you right now," he whispered, which was more words than I had ever gotten out of him in the last couple of weeks. "Your mother too. And I am proud of you, Elizabeth."

I cried even more as I hugged him tighter. Uther and I might not agree when it came to a lot of things, but I did still see him like a father. And since my own father wasn't here to give me away, I was glad that Uther would.

Hunith arrived shortly after Merlin sent a telegram telling his mother that he was getting married, so I waited with Merlin on the front steps of the castle when Hunith showed up.

I smiled when I saw her, and I went over to her. "Hunith!" I called out.

She took my hands when she got to me, a huge smile on her face. "You call me 'Mother' now."

I nodded with a grin on my face, leaning over and hugging her tightly. "Of course, Mother."

Merlin caught up to us, and Hunith gave her a son a hug. "Look at the two of you," she said as she looked between the two of us. "I am so proud of you two."

"I'm so happy you could make it, Mother," Merlin said.

Hunith gave him a look. "I would not miss the wedding of my own son."

I nodded as I looked towards the castle. "Come, we'll show you where you are staying."

The night before the wedding, Merlin and I had dinner alone in my chambers.

"Can you believe this is really happening?" I asked. "And everyone's okay with it?"

He nodded. "I must confess, when I first proposed to you, I gave no thought to what other people would think. All I cared about was being a husband to you."

I smiled at him. "But now we have everyone's approval! Even Arthur's."

Merlin nodded. "Yes, I very much enjoyed his lecture on how he would feed me to his dogs if I ever hurt you."

"That's just his way of showing that he cares and approves," I giggled as I sipped from my wine goblet. I put the goblet down before laying my hand out in front of me. "Are you ready for the next step of our lives?"

He put his hand in my own. "I've been ready for a long time."

My eyes slowly drifted open, and I changed my position so that my back was flat on my bed and I was staring at the ceiling.

I was getting married today.

Today would be the last morning of me being a single girl. This would be the last time I woke up in this bed (Arthur had offered Merlin and I a bigger chamber that would accommodate the two of us. We accepted). This would be the last time I woke up in a bed by myself. Speaking of beds...my face flamed at the thought of my wedding night tonight.

I was saved from my own thoughts when the door swung open, and Gwen came running in. "You're getting married today!"

I laughed as I pushed my blanket off and got out of bed. "Yes, yes I am."

Gwen came over, my wedding dress in her arms. She offered to design and make it for free, and when I insisted that I pay her for it, she told me that it was my wedding gift. I was her best friend, and she wanted to do this for me.

She helped me into it, and I smiled happily at myself as I looked at myself in the mirror. It wasn't the dress I thought I'd be wearing on my wedding day, but given the fact that ladies from medieval times dressed very modestly, this was pretty amazing. All that mattered was that it was white, just like tradition. It went all the way down to the floor, and the sleeves were long but airy, ensuring that I would not enter into a sweat disaster. My feet were covered by white slippers, and it made me feel like Cinderella, except I wasn't marrying a royal prince. I was marrying my very own prince.

I looked behind my shoulder at Gwen, who had just finished setting my hair. "Thank you, Gwen. Really."

She simply shrugged and offered me a smile. "This is the most important day of your life. I had to make it special."

I leaned over and gave her a big hug before she dismissed herself to go get ready. Since she refused to let me pay for my wedding dress, I offered to buy her an extravagant dress for the wedding. She accepted.

I looked down at my dress, and with a pang to the heart, realized that my mother wasn't here to see me on my wedding day. Sure, I had my makeshift family of Uther, Arthur, Gaius, and Gwen, and I was finding a new mother in Hunith, but for the first time since I got here, I truly felt the absence of my family. My real father wasn't going to walk me down the aisle. My real mother wasn't going to give me any advice for my marriage. And just like that, I was crying.

I was forced to make myself stop and wipe away my tears when I heard my door starting to open, assuming that Gwen was returning. I looked over, and my heart dropped when I caught the sight of a raven coloured head. I picked up the skirts of my wedding dress and ran over to the door. I body checked it, slamming it shut and locking the door.

"Lizzie?" Merlin's voice called out.

"It's bad luck to see the bride in her wedding dress!" I called out, and winced when I realized that might not be a custom yet.

"Says who?"

I made me so happy that I didn't have to lie to him. "Back in my old world, if the groom sees the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding, it's considered bad luck and their marriage will have issues."

Merlin was silent on the other end before he said, "Given all we've been through, I'd say that could happen."

I grinned to myself as I said, "Did you need something?"

"Can't I see my bride-to-be on our wedding day?"

I giggled. "Not when she's in her wedding dress."

Merlin was quiet again, and then he said, "I can't wait to be married to you, Elizabeth."

I smiled and leaned my head on the door and somehow, I knew Merlin was doing the same thing on the other side. "I can't wait to be married to you, Merlin."

Merlin left a little while later, and I sat down on one of the chairs. There was a knock at my door, and I called "Come in!"

The door opened, and Gaius walked in. I instantly smiled at the sight of the man I considered a grandfather. I got out of my seat and walked over to him. "Ah, Gaius! It's good to see you."

"You look absolutely stunning, my child," Gaius said as he stopped in front of me.

"Thank you," I told him. "Are you here to give me any of your famous Gaius advice?"

"Actually, I'm here to tell you how proud I am of you," Gaius started. "I have known you since you were a very small child, Elizabeth, and I am very happy to say that here I am, on your wedding day. To Merlin, no less," He said, and I smiled. "You have grown from that small child into a beautiful, strong, young woman, and I'm proud of you."

I blinked back tears as I leaned down and hugged Gaius. "Shame on you for making a bride cry on her wedding day," I sniffled as I hugged Gaius tightly. "Thank you, Gaius. It means so much to me that you're here."

"Where else would I be, dear girl?" Gaius asked as he gently patted my back. "Where else would I be?"

My next visit would be from the Knights of Camelot: Gwaine, Lancelot, Pervical, Leon, and Elyan.

I hugged Sir Leon first, since I had known him the longest. "Thank you for coming to see me," I told him, and he pulled back from our hug.

"I am honoured to be here, my Lady," he said.

I went to Lancelot next, giving him a hug. "I am so proud of you, Lancelot. You're finally where you've always wanted to be."

"I'm very proud of you, too, Lizzie," Lancelot said, and I smiled when I realized that he remembered to call me by my nickname. "I am very honoured to be here for your wedding day."

Next was Gwaine, and I simply held my hands up. "I wouldn't be here, in this dress, if it weren't for you, Gwaine."

"I know," Gwaine nodded, and we both laughed as we hugged.

"Thank you for showing me where my heart was," I whispered to him.

"Any time," he whispered back.

Elyan. "Thank you for coming to my wedding, Elyan," I told him as he hugged me.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," he responded as I moved on to Percival.

"Well, Percival, I don't know you very well, but thank you for coming to see me before I get married," I said as I hugged him.

"Thank you for letting me attend," He said as he hugged me back.

I pulled away from him, and I took a good look at the five men in my room, and I knew somehow that they would end up very important to me. "I can always count on you guys for your protection?" I asked.

They all immediately nodded. "Of course, my lady," they all chorused, and I nodded.

"Great," I said. "At least I know if Merlin can't protect me, I'll always have you guys."

They all left to let me finish getting ready. there was a knock on my door as Gwen set the veil underneath the bun she made. "Come in! Unless you're Merlin!" I called out.

The door opened, and Arthur stepped in, dressed all ceremonial for the wedding. He stopped when he saw me, and then smiled. "Elizabeth, you look beautiful."

"You really think so?" I asked as I looked down at my dress. "Because I only get one shot at this, you know."

Arthur laughed. "Yes, I'm sure."

Gwen looked between the two of us before she politely curtsied. "I'll leave the two of you alone for a moment," she said, and she walked out of the room.

I huffed a little. "Is this the part where you're supposed to give me advice like I did when you almost got married?"

"Well, considering the fact that I never wanted to marry the bride and the fact that I didn't get married at all, maybe I'm the wrong person to ask," Arthur said as he walked further into the room, leaning against my dining table. "I, for one, can't believe you're getting married."

I smiled. "Neither can I. When we were growing up, did you ever think I'd get married?"

Arthur nodded right away. "Of course I always thought you'd get married, just not to my bumbling fool of a servant."

I couldn't help a laugh at Arthur's words. "Please be more considerate with your words, because in less than an hour, your bumbling fool of a servant is going to be my husband." I felt a sudden weird lurch in my stomach, and my hand went to clutch it. "Oh my God. Your bumbling fool of a servant is going to be my husband."

"Isn't that the whole point of you marrying him?" Arthur asked, confused.

I nodded, starting to panic a little. "Well, yeah, but I guess we were just so wrapped up in wedding plans that I never actually thought about the whole 'married' bit," I said, beginning to pace. "I don't know what it means to be a wife! I've never been married before! What if I'm rubbish? What if Merlin realizes what a terrible mistake he's made by marrying me? What if-"

Arthur grabbed a hold of my shoulders and stopped me. "Elizabeth! Take a few deep breaths."

I did as he said. "Okay."

"Now, even though I still cannot fathom why, do you love Merlin?" He asked.

I gave him a bit of a look as I answered, "Of course."

"Then what is there to be worried about?" He asked. "You told me when I almost married Princess Helena that marriage should be for love. You're marrying Merlin because you love him, aren't you?"

I nodded. "Yes."

He took his hands off my shoulders. "Then I say damn the rest and marry him."

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Arthur's little speech actually made me feel better, and I was starting to find myself clear headed. "I'll probably never say this again, but you're right, Arthur. You're absolutely right."

He smiled at me and offered his arm. "Then shall we go get you married?"

I stared at his arm for two seconds before automatically taking it. "Let's go get me married."

My wedding was absolutely amazing.

The decorations, all done under Gwen's supervision at my request, was immaculate. Geoffrey of Monmouth officiated the ceremony, all of Camelot was in attendance, and Uther even walked me down the aisle (though he wasn't sure why I was so adamant that he walk me down-I guess fathers escorting daughters down the aisle wasn't a thing yet either).

Merlin looked the best I had ever seen him. He was wearing ceremonial clothes, no doubt a gift from Arthur. I could just imagine him saying, "There is no way I am letting you embarrass Elizabeth on her wedding day by you getting married in rags" but it didn't matter to me. Merlin could be wearing a paper bag and I would have thought that he was the most handsome man on this Earth.

Uther passed off my hand to Merlin, and though Merlin cowered a bit under the King's glare, Uther made no objection as he went off to the side where Arthur was standing. I passed off my bouquet to Gwen (note to self-throw bouquet directly at Gwen) and stepped up on to the altar. I was suddenly face to face with the love of my life, and I gripped his hands as tightly as he was gripping mine.

"My Lords, Ladies, and gentlemen of Camelot," Geoffrey started. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the ancient right of hand-fasting; union of Merlin and Elizabeth." He turned to Merlin. "Is it your wish, Merlin, to become one with this woman?"

No hesitation. "It is."

I had to keep a straight face as he said it. I didn't want to smile like an idiot just yet.

"Is it your wish, Elizabeth, to become one with this man?" Geoffrey asked, and he had this kind of look on his face like, "Is she really going to say yes and marry a servant?"

I didn't hesitate either. "It is."

"Do any say nay?" Geoffrey asked, and I held my breath and waited for Morgana to show up in a poof of white smoke and curse my first born child like in Sleeping Beauty. To my happiness, she didn't, and no one objected to the marriage either.

Geoffrey continued. "With this garland, I do tie a knot, and in doing so I bind your hands and your hearts for all eternity," he said, slowly tying a green garland around both my wrists and Merlin's wrists as he spoke.

Then, Merlin spoke. "I, Merlin, Servant of Camelot," I couldn't help a little snort at his "Servant of Camelot" joke. "shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee as I respect myself."

Now it was my turn. "I, Elizabeth, Lady of Camelot, shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee as I respect myself."

"I now pronounce you to be husband and wife," Geoffrey finished, and I waited for him to say "You may kiss the bride". Evidently, that wasn't a thing yet either, because Merlin then nervously leaned over and, missing my mouth the first time, properly kissed me.

Our first kiss as husband and wife!

Holy crow, I was a wife. I was finally, officially, Merlin's wife. It was a long and hard journey to get here, full of ups and downs, laughs, and tears, but I wouldn't change anything.

I wrapped my arms tightly around Merlin's neck and kissed him back.

Not a single thing.

When Merlin and I pulled back, the entire room burst into applause. But we paid them no attention. This was our moment, and nobody else's but ours. And I knew, from the look that he was giving me, that he wouldn't change a thing either. I also knew that he was thinking the same thing I was.

This was the moment we became real.

My birthday came not long after, but I was partied and gifted out after my wedding. I told Arthur all I wanted was a quiet day with my husband, and that was his birthday present to me; he gave Merlin the entire day off, I was excused from royal meetings, and the two of us went to the woods and spent the whole day there. I told Arthur that they could still have a feast and a party for me for the rest of the Kingdom, but Merlin and I didn't go, for obvious reasons.

Arthur's uncle Agravaine (Agravaine was Arthur's mother Ygraine's brother) showed up in Camelot to help us out with Camelot's affairs since Uther was still unable to rule Camelot. My wedding was the only day he left his chambers; he hadn't left it since.

I had made it my duty to take care of Uther. Sometimes that meant getting up early and getting back to our chambers late, but Merlin never minded. In fact, Merlin rarely ever spent the night in our chambers-he was still Gaius's apprentice, and more often than not, Merlin would end up staying so late in Gaius's chambers that he'd just crash there. He apologized time and again for leaving me alone, but I told him that it was fine. He was learning something that made him very happy, and I was happy for him.

Somehow in taking care of Uther, taking more healing magic lessons from Gaius, and helping Arthur manage the Kingdom, a year had passed. Merlin and I spent our one year anniversary together in our chambers the entire day-the kitchen prepared all of our favourite foods, Gwen offered to care for Uther for the day, and Merlin and I spent the entire day in bed. We kept the door locked, and Merlin entertained us with little shows of his magic. It was the best anniversary ever.

However, the next day, it was back to regular life. I got up, Gwen helped me change, and then I personally went down to the kitchens to grab Uther some food. Gaius and I had talked and came up with a special diet for him to help him gain his strength back, which would work, you know, if he ever actually ate, but I refused to give up.

"Good morning, Sire," I greeted, my usual form of hello as I stepped into his chambers. I felt my stomach flutter as I set his food tray down on his little table by the window and yanked the curtains open. Then, helped him sit up in bed. I grabbed a small bowl and a cloth and washed his face the best I could. Then, I helped him into his chair and gestured to his breakfast.

I had taken to having breakfast with Uther, since I had noticed whenever I ate with him, I managed to get him to eat. I munched away on an apple as I updated him on life in the court, my life, and the state of his Kingdom, though I was 99.89 percent sure that anything I said to him went in one ear and out the other.

The door opened while I was in the middle of telling Uther this new horse that Arthur had gifted to me as an anniversary present, and I excused myself to go see who it was. It was Gaius, and he gave me a bit of a pitying expression when he noticed the look on mine. I always smiled whenever I spoke to Uther, but when I looked away from him, you could see the worry etched on to my face.

I caught sight of the potion in his hand, and I sighed a bit. "It doesn't seem to make any difference, Gaius."

"I'm not sure it ever will. But at least it gives him peace," Gaius informed me.

I sighed again, looking back over to him. I always thought of Uther as this high and mighty level of authority, but he was human, just like the rest of us. "It's already been a year since Morgana betrayed him."

Gaius nodded. "His heart is broken and his spirit is gone, though I know it helps that you are still here," he said. "You're joining us for the feast tonight?"

I huffed a little. "I wanted to stay with the King, but Arthur insisted that I attend tonight. Gwen has offered to look after him in my place."

"You're very good to him, Elizabeth," Gaius commented.

I sighed. "After everything I helped put him through, it's the least I could do." I held my hand out for the potion. "Potion?"

"The reports are true, Sire," Sir Leon reported as we stood in the throne room later that day. I had left Uther alone for a bit when Arthur had called me for an emergency council meeting. "We caught up with Morgana on the Plains of Denaria."

"Was she alone?" Arthur asked.

Sir Elyan shook his head. "There was someone else."

"Morgause," I concluded, my mind flashing back to the last time I saw my blonde half sister.

Elyan looked over at me. "Couldn't be sure."

"Where was Morgana heading?" Agravaine asked as he stepped out of the shadow.

"To the Seas of Meredor," Leon answered.

"Isle of the Blessed," Gaius guessed.

"I'll send out patrols at first light," Agravaine decided, and Arthur nodded at his Uncle.

"Thank you, Agravaine," He said.

"Sire, you should know her powers have grown," Leon informed us. "Sir Bertrand and Sir Wontague are both dead."

"Keep me informed of any developments," Arthur requested, and the rest of the councilmen all bowed and exited with everyone else, leaving just me, Arthur, and Agravaine.

"For months, nothing. Why now?" He asked us.

"We knew she couldn't stay hidden forever. Today, tomorrow, what does it matter?" Agravaine said. "Mustn't live in fear, Arthur. Camelot is strong. If Morgana were to act, we'd be ready for her."

"Agravaine speaks the truth," I was forced to say.

Here's the thing...I wasn't exactly entirely trustful of Agravaine.

I didn't know what it was...he was just super sketchy to me. He had been nothing but kind and supportive of Arthur when it showed up, and for some reason, that roused suspicion with me. I didn't want to say anything, not even to Merlin, in case I was wrong and I went around falsely accusing someone, especially without any evidence. So I had to pretend to be nice to him and around him, though my gut was telling me something else entirely.

"You're right, of course," Arthur said. "I don't know how I'd've got through these last few months without you. Thank you, Uncle."

"I made a promise to your mother," Agravaine told him. "I'll always be there for you."

Arthur nodded at him with a smile and turned around to leave. I side eyed Agravaine, looking for any sign of something sketchy, but when I didn't see anything, I offered him a smile of my own and followed after Arthur.

Even though Merlin was technically a minor Lord now, since he had married the Lady of Camelot, he insisted that he was fine keeping his job as Arthur's servant. It was really his best way of guaranteeing to always be around Arthur whenever disaster struck, so while I sat with Arthur and Agravaine at the head of the table at tonight's feast, Merlin served drinks.

Besides, Merlin really didn't care for power or anything like that. He didn't want to be called "Lord Merlin" or anything like that, either, much like I didn't. He just liked being "Merlin", which was one of the things I loved about him.

I was sipping some water when Arthur stood up, and all laughter and conversation immediately ceased. I hastily lowered my glass down to the table and looked up at him.

"Samhain," he started. "It is the time of year when we feel closest to the spirits of our ancestors. It is a time to remember those we have lost to celebrate their passing." He raised his glass. "To the King!"

I started lifting my own as my mouths began forming the words, "To the King!" when I was suddenly struck with the force of strong magic. Immediately, I began seeing everything in slow motion, and everyone's voices were distorted as they toasted, "To the King!"

Suddenly, a dead-looking woman in a black, hooded cloak with a staff was standing in the middle of a banquet hall. "Emrys, Maeve," She whispered. "Emrys, Maeve."

Emrys was Merlin's druid name, and Maeve was mine. As soon as I heard "Emrys," my eyes lazily looked around for Merlin, and when I saw him, he looked exactly like I did: disoriented, shocked, and freaked out.

Merlin dropped his empty serving pitcher at the same time as I dropped my water goblet. The whole hall went quiet as they stared at Merlin, because his item made the bigger name. I could sense Arthur's annoyance as Merlin dropped down to the ground, but at the same time, I felt myself sliding out of my chair.

"Elizabeth!" I faintly heard Arthur's voice as I collided with the ground, my entire body freezing up and shivering. I felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice cold water over my head, but I felt a pair of warm hands on me as Arthur lifted me up. I struggled to stay awake, but I blacked out.

When I woke up, I was on a lumpy bed, and wrapped up in layers and layers of blankets. I was still freezing, and I fought the urge to chatter my teeth. I blinked slowly, my eyelids feeling stiff. When my eyes were open enough, I recognized the place to be Merlin's old room in Gauis's chambers. I looked down to the floor to see Merlin curled up in blankets as well.

"Merlin," I wheezed, forcing myself out of bed. I fell down next to him and shakily raised a hand. I rested it on his shoulder and began shaking him. "Merlin! Merlin!"

Merlin slowly shook his head as he woke up, and he looked up to see me looming over him. "Elizabeth?" He wondered, immediately trying to sit up. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," I responded as I helped him stand up. We were both shaky, but managed to stay on our feet. "Just a little cold."

At my comment, Merlin immediately unwrapped his layers and held his arm out to me. I gratefully went into his embrace, welcoming the warmth of his body heat as he rewrapped his blanket around us.

The two of us slowly made our way to the bottom of the stairs, where we saw Gaius grinding up something. He immediately stopped when he saw us and helped us sit down.

Somehow, Merlin knew that the both of us saw the exact same thing, so I let him explain what had happened as I leaned my head on his shoulder, trying to stay warm.

"When she spoke, her voice...it was as though it came from the depths of the earth, and her eyes...they were so sad. So much pain in them," He finished. "Who is she?"

"The Cailleach, the gatekeeper to the spirit world," Gaius guessed.

"Why was she there?" I asked.

"It was on the stroke of midnight of Samhain's Eve, the very moment when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest," Gaius explained. "It cannot be a coincidence."

"Why were we the only ones to see her?" Merlin asked.

"You have great power, Merlin. For someone so gifted, such visions are not uncommon," Gaius offered, and though I knew I wasn't as gifted as Merlin, it was probably due to the accidental merging spell I had performed the year before when I tried to heal Merlin from a Serket.

"But you don't understand. It wasn't a vision," Merlin insisted. "She knew who we were. She called me Emrys. She called Elizabeth Maeve." He looked down at me. "Though I'm not sure why."

"Supposedly that is what I'm known amongst the druids as," I filled in, thinking back to the Fisher King.

Merlin and I both caught the pondering expression on Gaius's face. "What is it? What does it mean?" Merlin pressed.

"I'm not sure," Gaius finally said. "But if someone has torn the veil between the worlds, then God help us all."

Merlin immediately hugged me tighter to him at Gaius's words, and I looked up at him. I knew that we both were thinking the same thing.

We were in trouble.

The next morning, a young woman showed up weeping at Camelot's doors. I didn't get the details until Arthur and I showed up at the council room.

"What's happened to her?" Arthur whispered to Agravaine as we stepped in, Merlin on our heels.

"Her village was attacked," Agravaine answered.

"By who?" Arthur went on.

Agravaine shook his head. "Not entirely clear, sir."

Arthur and I approached the crying woman. "What's your name?" He asked.

She whimpered, but answered, "Drea."

Arthur took a step closer, and the girl tensed. He put a comforting hand on her shoulder and spoke very gently. "Drea, I'm Arthur. Don't be frightened. Tell me what happened."

"My mother, my father, my litter sister, they're..." She cut herself off with a sob.

"It's all right. It's all right," I said to her, cautiously reaching out to rub her back.

She nodded and didn't flinch away from my touch, so Arthur took that as a sign to keep going. "Someone attacked them." At Drea's nod, Arthur asked, "Who?"

"There was no one. Just...shapes," Drea explained.

"You didn't see their faces?" Arthur asked.

Drea hesitated, but answered, "They had no faces."

Arthur exchanged a look of uncertainty with me, and I didn't miss Merlin turning around at the sound of something behind him. My attention was brought back to Drea as she spoke, "I- I keep telling you. They were there, but...they weren't there. They moved so quickly. It was as if they weren't real, but...they must've been. I could hear the people screaming. And then...silence. They were all...dead."

Drea then broke down, and Arthur patted her shoulder comfortingly, "Hey. Thank you." He looked up at me and nodded down at Drea, and I nodded in understanding as I turned her to me to let her cry on my shoulder as I rubbed her arms comfortingly.

"Where is this village?" I heard him as Agravaine.

"Howden. It's to the east of the White Mountains, no more than half a day's hard ride," He responded.

Arthur nodded, then turned to Leon. "Ready the men."

I was a little disappointed that I had been left behind (Arthur, Merlin and the others were gone by the time I had put Drea into a room and gotten some food into her) but I didn't have time to feel sorry for myself.

Because at night, the castle was attacked by the same faceless shapes that had attacked Drea's village.

I clutched a torch in my hand as I shifted the blankets in my arms. These...things were just passing through people, freezing them to death. We were trying to get blankets on people in an effort to get them warmed up.

I was rushing down a hallway when I heard Agravaine call out to me, "Elizabeth! Warn Gaius there are more victims by the western gate!"

I nodded as Agravaine continued down his way and I continued down mine. I came to a screeching halt when a window behind me smashed in right behind a Knight, and to my horror, the skull wisp rushed through the Knight, who screamed and dropped to the ground.

It took a second to register that the skull was making its way to me, and I immediately dropped the blankets and ducked for cover behind a column. I held my torch out threateningly at the skull wisp, and when it came close to me, I waved it right through. To my surprise, the skull wisp vanished, though I could tell that it had just fled by its shadow.

I clutched the torch tightly as I ran over to inspect the Knight. Maybe there was something my healing magic could do... I thought to myself as I grabbed a hold of the Knight's shoulder and flipped him over. My heart dropped as I realized that nothing could help him-he was frozen solid.

The cold, empty look in the Knight's eyes made my stomach lurch, and before I could stop myself, I turned to the side and hurled, emptying the contents of my stomach. I winced and wiped at my mouth with my sleeve before looking the hallway, wondering what the hell was going on and praying that Merlin was all right.

We had to set up a morgue. The list of the dead was growing as more and more bodies were brought in.

My stomach, still uneasy from my vomiting incident earlier, churned as I pulled a cloth over the face of one of the many dead. I looked behind me at Gaius, who had the same sombre look on his face.

I heard the door opened, and I turned, already wondering how to make more room for another body, when I recognized the person to be Merlin. "Merlin!" I squeaked as I ran over to him. I jumped into his waiting arms and hugged him tightly. "Thank God you are all right."

He was hugging me, but he didn't say anything. I pulled away slowly, registering the freaked out look on his face. "You saw them," I said, not a question.

He nodded, and I looked from Gaius to Merlin. "Here, help us. Grab some more sheets," I told him, hoping that having a task would calm him a bit.

Merlin did it, but he was still acting weirdly. "Merlin?" Gaius prompted.

"My magic is useless against them," Merlin blurted. "I've tried. I have never felt so powerless. Something deep inside. And when it came for me, I felt this emptiness. I couldn't breathe. I'm scared."

I didn't want Merlin to know how worried I was, especially if his magic didn't work against them, so I just went over to him. I cupped his face gently and made sure he was looking at me. "Merlin, it's okay. It's not your fault. Do you understand me?"

He didn't respond, so I just stood on my tip toes and placed my head on his shoulder, looping my arms around him and hoping that my hug would hold him together.

"We've suffered fifty dead, maybe more. Mainly in the Lower Town," Agravaine reported the next morning in his chambers.

"And there's no way of fighting them?" Arthur asked.

"No, our only weapons are torches. And the light doesn't kill them, it only repels them," Agravaine responded.

Arthur turned to Gaius. "What are they?"

"They're Dorocha, sire. The spirits of the dead. On Samhain's Eve in the time of the Old Religion, the high priestesses would perform a blood sacrifice and release them," Gaius answered.

"But who'd do such a thing now?" Agravaine asked.

"Who else?" I said. "Morgana."

Arthur looked over at me. "You see her hand in this?"

"We know she was travelling to the Isle of the Blessed," Gaius supplied.

"How do we defeat these creatures?" Arthur asked, and I could tell how desperate he was to protect his people.

"I don't know, sire. No mortal has ever survived their touch," Gaius said gravely.

Man, I remembered when all our problem was that Arthur had killed a unicorn and brought a curse on Camelot. Why couldn't our lives be simple like that again?

Villagers from across the Kingdom where crowding into Camelot with the belongings they could carry. Arthur, Gaius, Merlin, Agravaine and I all stood in the council chamber as we watched them come in.

"They're coming from across the kingdom. They're looking to Camelot for protection," Gaius explained.

"And we will give it to them," Arthur nodded.

"We cannot house them all," Agravaine retorted.

"We have to try," I insisted. "They're scared and they're looking to their Kingdom for answers, answers that we can't give them. The least we can do is offer protection."

"How?" Agravaine demanded. "We cannot live like this forever. We must find a way to vanquish these creatures."

Exasperated, Arthur turned to Gaius. "Somewhere in all your books, Gaius, there must be something. All I'm asking for is a way to fight them."

"I fear the Dorocha cannot be defeated by swords and arrows, sire," Gaius explained. "If I am right, and the veil between the worlds is torn, then there's only one path open to us. To travel to the Isle of the Blessed and repair it."

"And how do I do that?" Arthur pressed.

"I'm not sure. But for the tear to be created would've required a blood sacrifice. To seal will require another," Gaius revealed.

Arthur didn't even hesitate. "We ride before nightfall."

"And who will be the sacrifice?" Gaius asked with surprise.

Arthur was quiet before he said, "If laying down my life will spare the people of Camelot, then that is what I must do."

My stomach dropped. No. No. Because if Arthur planned on sacrificing himself, then that meant Merlin...

I looked over for my husband, but he was following Arthur out the room. Agravaine left too, leaving just me and Gaius.

I wanted to talk to Merlin about what I knew he was planning, but I knew he wasn't going to leave Arthur's side for a second. One, because he knew I was going to ambush him, and two because Arthur needed his best friend right now.

Instead, I let my curiosity get the better of me.

Making sure the door to my new bedchambers was firmly locked, I went over to the windows and shut all the curtains. Then, I grabbed a bucket that I use for washing and set it down on the dining table. I grabbed a pitcher of water and poured all the water that was in it into the bin, put my hands on either side of the bowl, and concentrated.

To my delight, images began forming in the reflection. It was blurry, but I could make out the form of Agravaine riding through the woods. He got off his horse and entered into this weird hovel without knocking. There was another person there, but I couldn't see who it was.

Whoever it was put a dagger to his back. "My lady?"

I was shocked to the core at the voice of the answerer, "My lord," none other than mine and Arthur's sister, Morgana Pendragon, responded. "I trust you bring me good news," She said as she lowered the dagger and walked further into her shithole of a home. "Tell me."

My sister had greatly changed since the last time I saw her. Her once beautiful hair had lost its shine and was now a bedraggled mess. She had dark bags underneath her eyes, and her glowing skin had paled.

I ignored the feeling that I had in the pit of my stomach and focused my magic on trying to make the image clearer.

"The kingdom is on its knees," Agravaine reported.

"How terrible," She mock pouted.

Agravaine chuckled. "Indeed."

"What of the poor people?" Morgana wondered.

"More fall every night," Agravaine confirmed.

"Such a shame," She said sarcastically. "And of my dear sister?"

I felt a jolt at the mention of me, and Agravaine said, "She seems to suspect me, but hasn't said a word."

"That's just like her," Morgana bit. "A coward."

What a bitch.

Agravaine changed the subject. "You should know that Arthur intends to vanquish these creatures."

Morgana scoffed. "Impossible."

"He makes ready to go to the Isle of the Blessed as we speak," Agravaine said. "If the Dorocha don't kill him on the way, our brave little lamb intends to sacrifice himself to repair the veil."

Morgana suddenly turned away from Agravaine, gaining his attention. "Something's troubling you. Morgana."

"Something the Cailleach said," Morgana started. "She spoke of someone called Emrys. Called him my doom."

Merlin? Morgana's doom?

"Your doom? What did she mean?" Agravaine asked.

"I don't know," Morgana said. "She also spoke of someone named Maeve. She said that as long as Maeve lived, I would never get what I want."

Me? The Cailleach said that as long as I lived, Morgana would never get what she wanted? That certainly made me terrified.

"Morgana, we should be celebrating," Agravaine once again changed the subject. "Arthur will be dead within the week, leaving the throne open for Camelot's rightful heir."

Morgana smirked, and I growled as I punched the water, distorting her face and getting rid of the image. "Agravaine, you worthless piece of betraying shit!"

I pushed the water bucket away from me and strolled over to the door. I had bigger fish to fry.

I hid in one of the rooms, and as Merlin walked down the hall with a backpack strapped over his shoulder, I grabbed his arm and pulled him into the room. He made a noise of surprise, but stopped when he saw that it was just me. "Lizzie!"

"I know what you're planning and you cannot do it, Merlin," I told him outright.

He sighed, knowing that he couldn't deny it to my face. "It is my destiny to protect Arthur, you know that," he said simply.

I felt tears as I crossed my arms over my chest. "Yeah? Well, it's also your destiny to be my husband. Besides, you said it yourself, your magic is powerless against the Dorocha."

He was quiet. Then, he said, "Then I must sacrifice myself in his place."

I was full on crying now. "Merlin, please, you can't..."

"Hey," He said, reaching up and wiping at my tears. "You cannot cry. I don't want the last image of you in my mind of your crying face."

"Merlin, you can't sacrifice yourself," I insisted.

"Camelot needs Arthur," He insisted.

"Well I need you!" I retorted. "Please. Don't make me live without you." I grabbed a hold of his trusty scarf. "Please. Figure out another way."

Merlin drew a deep breath, then leaned down and kissed me harder than he ever had. When he pulled back, he said, "I promise I'll try to figure out another way."

"I'm coming with you," I insisted.

He shook his head. "No, Camelot needs you here," he said.

Knowing I wasn't going to win this fight, I nodded. "Fine. But you have to come back because I have something very important to tell you."

"What is that?" He asked.

I leaned forward. "You'll only find that out by coming back."

Merlin smiled down at me, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. He leaned down and kissed me again, and somehow I knew he was committing this kiss to memory.

But he had to come home.

He had to.

Merlin figured it would be best if I didn't watch him leave, so I paced around in our chambers and tried to keep myself from going over to the window. There was a knock at my door, stopping my pacing, and I called out, "Enter!" hoping that it was Merlin and that he had decided not to go, though it was only wishful thinking. Besides, it was Merlin's chamber too, why would he knock?

I was right, because when the door opened, Arthur walked in. I deflated a little, but I kept my chin up. "Arthur. Please tell me you're here to tell me that you've figured out another way to stop the Dorocha and that you don't have to die."

He gave me a rueful smile and shook his head. "Unfortunately, that's not why I'm here." He held out a ring to me, and it took a second to register that the image on it was the Pendragon seal.

I furrowed my eyebrows as he placed it in my hand. I looked back up at him. "What's that for?" I asked.

"You have to take this. It bears the royal seal. In my absence, responsibility to the kingdom rests with you," He told me.

"Whoa whoa whoa," I said, shoving it back at him. "You can't leave this to me!"

"Why not?" He asked.

"Because I can't take care of a Kingdom!" I insisted.

"Elizabeth, you have proven to me that you are capable of taking care of the Kingdom," He said. "Through your actions and your loyalty."

"But wait-what about your father?" I asked.

Arthur swallowed his emotions as he said, "Should he die, you're to assume the throne."

My jaw dropped. "What? Arthur-"

Arthur pushed my hand holding the seal back. "You're one of the only people I trust, Elizabeth. After everything that transpired last year, you have shown nothing but loyalty, care, and love towards Camelot." He smiled at me. "I can go to the Isle of the Blessed knowing that Camelot could not be in better care."

"Arthur," I started, feeling myself choking up. "You cannot do this. Please. This isn't about the fate of Camelot in the hands of the most irresponsible person ever, this is about the fact that you are marching to your death. For my sake, for your father's sake, and for the sake of the Kingdom, you have to find another way."

Arthur closed my hand over the seal. "My mind's made up. I'm just grateful that you're here."

I sobbed and threw my arms around Arthur. "I don't care what it takes-figure out a way to come home to me. And make sure Merlin comes home, as well."

He nodded against my shoulder. "I assure you, I'll take care of Merlin and make sure he is safely delivered back to you." He pulled back, and wiped at a stray tear on my cheek. "I've never really said this before, Elizabeth, but I love you. You are my best friend, and I don't know what I'd do without you."

I sniffled. "You turn into a sap when you're about to die," I tried to joke.

With another squeeze of my hand, Arthur said, "Goodbye, Elizabeth."

"Goodbye, Arthur."

Later that night, I couldn't sleep. How could I, knowing that my best friend was hell bent on sacrificing himself to save his Kingdom, my husband was determined to sacrifice himself instead, the trusted Uncle of the Prince was nothing but a traitorous wretch, and the Kingdom that I was suddenly in charge of was infested with Dorocha, spirits of the dead that froze people on direct contact?

My poor stomach suffered, and I couldn't keep anything down. The only thing I could manage were the few sips of water Gwen insisted I took.

Gwen, being the best friend that she was, stayed up with me. Because I couldn't sleep, I tried going over ways to make space in Camelot to care for those that were looking for refuge from the Dorocha and ways to feed them.

I felt myself getting dizzy, and I balled my hand into a fist and smashed it to my temple, attempting to bully the headache out of me.

"Lizzie, you must sleep," Gwen said before she yawned herself.

"I cannot sleep knowing that my husband is out there," I told her, which was what I told her every time she suggested that I sleep.

All of a sudden, I was hit with a rush of cold, and I felt myself paralyze. I choked out a gasp, and I faintly heard Gwen's calls of my name as I felt my face starting to frost over. My eyes rolled into the back of my head as I slipped down to the ground, Gwen's screams bouncing around in my head as my body went on lockdown.

The last thing I thought of was "What happened to Merlin?" as I blacked out.

TBC...

It is 3:32 am. I am unBELIEVABLY tired. BUT I DID IT.

I'm going on a mini vacation starting Monday, so I don't know when I'll be able to update next, but here's a powerful start to season 4!

Season 4! Can you believe that we made it?

REVIEW! FOLLOW! FAVOURITE! THANKS! STAY TUNED!

THE ADVENTURES OF ELIZABETH MALINOR CONTINUE...

Kilgharrah blows away a Dorocha with his flames.

"The Dorocha cannot be allowed to remain in this world," Kilgharrah informs Merlin and Lancelot. "The Sundered Veil must be restored."

Arthur and his men arrive at the opening of the veil.

Arthur fights off a dragon.

The Cailleach stands before the tear in the veil.

"Arthur intends to sacrifice himself in order to heal the veil," Merlin tells Kilgharrah.

Merlin faces down the Cailleach as a heartbroken Elizabeth watches on.

"I must take his place," Merlin finishes.

Guinevere stands before a burning pyre as she sobs.

"Merlin, you must not do this," Kilgharrah insists.

Camelot's men stand before the burning pyre.

TUNE INTO PART TWO OF THE SEASON 4 PREMIERE OF I'VE GOT THE MAGIC IN ME!