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 wait but he's the next chapter!

Enjoy!

"Merlin-"

"Shh."

"Merlin, you can't-"

"Shh!"

I rolled my eyes at Merlin, who's head was on my still-flat stomach. "Merlin, the baby is still the size of a peanut. There's no way you're going to hear it do anything."

"You don't know that!"

I rolled my eyes at him as I gently shoved his head off of my stomach. "I have to go. I have to bring Uther his breakfast. And you should be getting back to Arthur before he realizes that you've been gone. It's his birthday, I'm sure he'll be extra attentive today."

Merlin rolled his eyes but scooted off of the bed. "I'm glad Uther and Arthur both took the news about the baby well."

I nodded. "I'm glad too. It could have gone so much worse."

Merlin bent down and kissed my stomach where the baby was. "He couldn't possibly hate the idea of my little girl."

"No, he couldn't possibly hate the idea of your little boy," I corrected, sticking my chin up as I braided my hair back.

Yes, we still fought like crazy over the gender of the baby. Merlin insisted on seeing if he could check with his magic, but I wanted to wait until he was actually born to rub it into Merlin's face.

I stood on my tip toes and gave him a quick kiss. "I should go," I said, and the two of us parted ways.

I nodded at the guards standing outside of Uther's chambers as they opened the doors for me. I had a tray of food in my hands as I walked in, and I opened my mouth to call for Uther when I heard a voice talking to him.

Closer inspection revealed it to be Arthur. "The Court discussed the annual levy this morning. The council has suggested we raise it, but I feel the people are already overburdened..."

"Good old 'Father and son' talk I see," I said as I set the tray down on Uther's dining table.

"We should not talk about matters of court today," Uther said.

I caught Arthur's bewildered stare as we both saw Uther fix his son with an emotional look. "Father?"

Uther smiled softly. "You think I would ever forget that today is the anniversary of your birth?"

I felt my heart become filled with warmth, and from the look on Arthur's face, I could tell his had too. Uther had many faults, but where he made up for those faults was the love he had for his only son.

"I take it there are plans for suitable celebrations this evening?" Uther asked.

"Of course!" I stepped in as I walked over to Uther's chair, standing beside it. "I have organized a feast and some entertainment. It'll surely be Arthur's best anniversary yet!"

Uther actually cracked a smile at my words, but Arthur said, "I'll tell you all about it tomorrow."

Uther and I both frowned at the prince as Uther retorted, "You think I would miss my son's anniversary?"

Once again, I was floored by Uther's reaction. He hadn't left that chair for a single reason all year, and he was now getting out of it to celebrate Arthur's birthday. I wrapped my arm around Uther's shoulders and said, "Well put, my Lord. Well put."

Let the party begin!

Water wasn't nearly as fun as wine, but I obliging sipped some as I sat at the head of the table with Uther and Arthur. The Banquet Hall was filled with entertainment and excitement. The performers that Agravaine had arranged for was very skilled, I had to admit. I looked beside me at Uther, who was actually laughing and enjoying himself. I shared a look with Arthur, and I knew that the both of us couldn't wish for more.

For his birthday, I had gifted Arthur the day with Gwen. I relieved her of her duties and told her to spend some time with the person that she loved. Arthur had done the same for me for my birthday.

A hush suddenly came over the hall, and we all quieted as the Gleeman, the frontman of the entertainment group, looked over the hall. "I require a volunteer..."

He stepped forward and set his gaze on Arthur. "Prince Arthur. What better or more fitting occasion for you to demonstrate your legendary bravery?" We all raised our eyebrows at the direct challenge. "Do you accept the challenge?"

With only a second's hesitation, Arthur stood up. "Of course."

A round of applause filled the hall as Arthur made his way to the area where the Gleeman was. Merlin stopped him halfway, and they both whispered something probably along the lines of "It's not safe" from Merlin, and then from Arthur "Don't tell me what to do, Merlin" as he took off his cloak and jacket, handing them to his manservant.

"This is safe, isn't it, my Lord?" I asked Uther.

"Of course it is," Uther assured me, though he didn't look 100% convinced himself.

Arthur headed over to the circular board where the Gleeman was waiting for him. Arthur smiled at the crowd, reassuring them. I must have looked extremely worried, because he gave me a pointed look. I couldn't help it-the pregnancy hormones were driving me insane. In the past few days alone I couldn't count how many times I yelled at Merlin for stupid things. The other day I yelled at him for putting his left boot on first instead of his right.

Arthur placed himself against the board, and the Gleeman and the other guy with him strapped Arthur's ankles and wrists to the restraints on the board.

Arthur shot a slightly nervous glance at the Gleeman, who said, "Do not fear, my Lord. I never miss my target."

"Good. Glad to hear it," Arthur said.

The Gleeman pulled out an apple and turned to Arthur. "May I?"

Arthur eyed the apple. "What?"

Before he could object, the Gleeman crammed the apple in his mouth. Arthur looked down at it the best he could, but didn't spit it out as the Gleeman nodded at his partner.

The partner gave the wheel a push, and it started to spin. With it spun Arthur, who was very obviously starting to get dizzy and appeared nauseous. My heart started pounding as I saw someone presented a case of knives to the Gleeman, who held up the blade for the crowd to see. Without even stopping to take aim, the Gleeman suddenly turned and threw the knife at Arthur. I let out a gasp as the rest of the hall did, but the knife landed centimeters from Arthur's face.

At the sight of the placement of the knife, everyone burst into applause. Uther looked over at me, a grin on his face from amazement as he clapped, and the sight of him clapping reminded me to. I lifted my hands and clapped along with everyone else.

The Gleeman took the next knife from the case and threw it, this time the knife landing on the other side of Arthur's head. I forced another round of applause.

He took out the final knife and waved it at Uther, who nodded permission for him to throw it. I caught Gwen's gaze, and she was biting her nails as she nervously looked at Arthur.

The Prince's eyes went wide as the Gleeman prepared to throw the final knife. The Gleeman tossed the knife, and the sound it made as it hit its target wasn't the familiar thud of blade hitting wood-it was a soft, squishy sound. My heart fell all the way to the bottom of my stomach, but it came back up as the wheel slowed to a stop, and we saw the knife stuck straight into the apple.

The hall erupted into applause, and I joined in as I sighed in relief. The look of relief was clear on his face as the Gleeman took a bow and a circus man helped Arthur down. Once he was down, he took the apple from his mouth, tossed it in the air, then caught it. He shrugged back into his jacket with Merlin's help. He appeared to be saying something to Merlin before taking a bite of the apple. He took a bow before making his way back to the table.

Arthur took his seat again, and I nearly cried in relief as he did. I leaned across Uther and asked, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Elizabeth," he assured me. "Don't stress, please. It's not good for the baby."

I nodded, sitting normally again. "Right."

But there was something that wasn't sitting right.

"Did you have fun tonight, my Lord?" I asked Uther as I guided him back to his chambers.

"Of course I did," he answered. He was just the slightest bit drunk, and I think because his body hadn't had alcohol in its system for so long, he had become a lightweight. "It was my son's anniversary."

"It was just good to see you out of your chambers and happy, my Lord," I said as I walked in. I set him down on his bed and grabbed him some clothes, and he changed into them when I turned around. I put his clothes in a laundry basket and moved to guide him to bed, but he said, "I would like to have something to drink."

"I hope you mean water," I muttered to myself as I helped him to his chair. I sat him down, made my way over to the dining table where a jug of water was, and poured him a glass.

"How are you feeling, Elizabeth?" He wondered, and I jolted a little. I wasn't used to Uther making conversation.

"Fine, Sire," I told him.

"And the child?" He asked as I walked back over to him.

"Fine, we're both fine," I answered as I handed him the goblet, making sure he was holding on to it with both hands. "You're going to be a grandfather, Sire."

He looked up at me with his wide eyes. "A grandfather? Me?"

I nodded. "You might not be my father, but I do think of you that way. You did all the things that a father does for me, so I see my child as your grandchild."

Amazement clear on his face, he gently lifted a hand and touched my stomach with his fingers. "A grandfather..." He muttered, before drawing his hand and leaning heavily against his chair. He took sips of his water, then lowered his glass. "A grandfather..."

"Are you going to be okay, my Lord?" I asked.

"I can see myself to bed, Elizabeth," he replied. "You may go to bed now. You need rest."

I patted him on the shoulder and leaned down, pressing a kiss to the side of his head. "Sleep well, Sire."

With that, I turned around and made my way out the door. Just as I stepped outside, Arthur was stumbling in. He nearly toppled over, and I grabbed him by the shoulders and pushed him upright. "Whoa, are you okay?"

"Yes," he said groggily. Something wasn't right. "I'm here to see my father."

"Arthur, I think you're drunk," I said in concern. "Or something's wrong. Either way, perhaps you should get to bed..."

"I'm fine..." He mumbled, pushing my hands off his shoulders as he wandered into Uther's chambers.

I looked on in worry, but I was forced to shake it off as I made my way back to my own chambers.

I walked in to see Merlin, pouring some water. He looked over to see who walked in, then went back to his water. "Did you see Arthur?"

"Yeah, he came to see Uther," I responded as I went over to my wardrobe. I opened it and pulled out a nightgown. "Did you sense something...wrong with him?"

"He's just drunk," Merlin supplied as he sipped from his goblet.

"No, it was more than that," I responded, turning my back to him and moving my long hair out of the way. It hadn't seen a cut in a long time, so it was at my mid back. "Can you untie this fastening?"

Merlin went to work, and I felt the fastening on my back loosen as I said, "I've been around Arthur drunk before. He has a surprisingly high tolerance. I was with him the whole night, and I didn't even see him drink that much. And then just now, when he came to Uther's... He looked like he was ready to pass out on the ground." I turned around to face him as I began peeling my dress off. "There's something else going on."

To my relief, Merlin didn't blush (much) at the sight of my naked body. Sure, we had had sex plenty of times and I was now pregnant, but he still turned away whenever I changed. It was kind of ridiculous but also kind of cute at the same time.

"Do you want me to go check on him?" he asked, and I nodded as I slipped my nightgown over my head.

He reached over and helped pull it down over my head. "Please, it'd make me feel better."

"Okay, but promise to drink your potion," He said, and I followed his gaze to see the greenish mixture in the goblet on the dining table.

I scrunched up my face. "Do I have to?"

"Gaius says it's good for the baby," he responded simply. He grabbed my cheeks before kissing my forehead. "You go to bed, I'll go help Arthur."

"Okay," I said. I grabbed the goblet and pinched my nose as I downed it. Merlin left, and I moved to crawl into bed.

I was only sleeping for about fifteen minutes when the doors suddenly burst open, and some guards came storming in.

And I got the shock of a lifetime.

I anxiously bit my fingernails as I looked at Uther. He was laying in bed, sweaty, unconscious, weak, and dying.

Apparently, after I left Uther's chambers and Arthur had gone in, the Gleeman from Arthur's performance had somehow managed to get into Uther's chambers. The two dueled, and Uther killed him, but he was stabbed in the process.

I stood next to Arthur as I fiddled with the necklace Uther had given me for my birthday some years ago. "You can treat him, can't you, Gaius?" I asked.

Gaius was solemn as he said, "The blade has touched his heart. He's bleeding inside."

"There must be something... there must be something you can do. Please, Gaius," Arthur begged, and I put a hand on his arm to try and comfort him.

Sadly, Gaius shook his head. "It is just a matter of time, I'm afraid. I'm sorry, Arthur."

Desperately, Arthur went over to his father's side. He took his hand and sat down next to him. Despair was written plainly all over his face, and I felt myself filling with sadness as I went over to Uther's other side and took his other hand.

Uther had seen me as his daughter, and I saw him as my father, with Arthur as my brother. My family needed me.

I sat with Arthur in the council chamber rooms the next day. Uther was slowly getting worse, and I never left Arthur's side. He needed someone, and I was the only person that he would really talk to.

Sir Leon and Agravaine were with us, reporting to Arthur about what had gone down with the assassin. Arthur's had a blank, tramatized look on his face, so I paid attention as the two men talked.

"We traced the assassin to the town of Wenham," Agravaine reported. "It's in Odin's land. It seems he hired him to kill you to avenge the death of his son."

Arthur could barely respond, so I cleared my throat as I asked, "Was it just the assassin?"

"We believe he had an accomplice among the performers, but he has fled the city," Sir Leon answered. "We have doubled the guard, should there be another attempt on your life."

Again, Arthur barely responded, so I talked again. "Thank you," I said to the two men. "You are dismissed."

The two men bowed before leaving. When we were alone, I leaned forward and put a hand on Arthur's arm. He barely responded to it. "We're all here, Arthur. You're not alone in this."

Arthur finally managed to pull himself together enough to respond to me. He put his hand on top of my own and gave it a gentle pat. "Thank you, Elizabeth. Your support means a great deal to me. I know it must be hard for you, too."

"We have each other," I reminded him. "We'll get through this."

Suddenly, the doors open, and Merlin entered. Arthur and I immediately both perked up as Arthur asked, "What news of my father?"

Disappointment was etched on Merlin's face as he said, "There is no change."

"Well, why isn't Gaius doing something, then?" Arthur snapped.

"Because there is nothing he can do," Merlin answered softly.

Arthur had no response after that, because he knew that it was true.

Uther Pendragon was going to die.

I carefully redressed Uther's wounds as Arthur stood by, watching me. I know there was no use to it, but I couldn't help but still do it. Once I was done, I sighed, running my hand through his hair softly, then dragging the back of my hand against his face.

"Elizabeth..." Arthur choked, and I looked over at him. "I can't watch him die..."

"You think I can?" I asked, looking back down at the King. "Uther may not have been the best King or father...but he tried. That was the most important thing."

"There's still so much I want to say to him... He cannot die," Arthur nearly sobbed.

I sighed again as I stood up and walked over to him. "What do you propose we do? You heard what Gaius said. There is nothing that can be done for him."

Arthur gave me a pointed look. "There is a way to heal my father."

I gave him a look. "How?"

He hesitated, then said, "Magic" befoer he turned around and ran out of the room.

I stood there stupidly for a few seconds, then cried, "What?!" again before picking up my skirts and running after the prince.

"Let me get this straight," I started as I stared at Gaius and Merlin. We were in Gaius's chambers, where Merlin had just finished explaining Arthur's plan. "Arthur Pendragon, son of Uther Pendragon, hater of all magic, wants to heal his father with magic?!"

"He's desperate," Merlin argued. "He knows it's his only hope of healing Uther."

Gaius and I exchanged a knowing look, and Gaius looked over at Merlin. "Merlin, please tell me you're not going to do this."

Merlin hesitated, then he said, "I'd be lying if I said 'no'."

"Merlin, you can't risk exposing yourself," I reminded him. "I want to save Uther more than anything, but not if it puts you in danger."

"Arthur didn't recognise me last time when I was eighty years old. There's no reason why he should this time," Merlin said.

I gave him a look. "Do I have to remind you that the last time you used an aging spell, you almost got burnt at the stake?!"

"It's worth the risk," Merlin said simply.

"Do you think Uther is going to thank you for healing him with magic?" Gaius demanded. "He's more likely to have you hanged."

"Uther will never change his attitude towards magic. I know that," Merlin stated. "But if Arthur allows it to be used to heal his father, his attitude will be changed forever. He will see that magic can be a force for good."

"You of all people should know that the use of powerful magic is fraught with danger," Gaius said.

"If it works, we won't have to hide any more," Merlin said with a glance at me.

"And if it doesn't?" Gaius wondered, the question hanging heavily in the air. "I can't stand by and watch you do this Merlin."

"Nor can I," I told him. "I mean, I'm your partner and I'll support you, but I don't like it."

"Well, don't try and stop me, because...you can't," Merlin said quietly.

Gaius fixed Merlin with a stare. "You're playing a dangerous game, Merlin."

"I've been playing a dangerous game since the first time I set foot in Camelot," Merlin pointed out. "Maybe this is my chance to change that." He looked over at me and took one of my hands. "If healing Uther can promise a safe place for our daughter to grow up in, then I'll gladly do it."

I sighed defeatedly, knowing he had me. "If this will help our son," I said, and he gave me a bit of a look. "Then I'll stand behind you."

I just hoped that neither of us was making a huge mistake.

Merlin and I entered Arthur's chambers to tell him the plan, and the Crown Prince was pacing impatiently in his chambers when he saw us walk in.

"Well? What did Gaius say? Did he have any information?" Arthur asked.

"He didn't know much," I started.

"But he has heard of a sorcerer," Merlin continued. "An old man. He lives in the Forest of Glaestig. Gaius thinks he may be able to help you."

"Will he lead me to him?" Arthur demanded.

"No, he's told me all that he knows. We will have to find him ourselves," Merlin said.

Arthur nodded as he took it all then. Then his face changed, almost as if he was finally realizing what he was doing. "If you were me, it was your father, would you use magic to save his life?" Arthur asked.

Merlin glanced at me from the corner of his eye before looking back over at Arthur and answering, "Yes, I would. I would do whatever it took."

Arthur nodded, officially persuaded. There was no turning back now. "Prepare the horses. Gather supplies. We ride at first light." He nodded at Merlin.

"Wait, what about me?" I demanded.

Arthur nodded at me. "You can't possibly come with your condition."

Merlin nodded as well. "You should stay, Lizzie. The stress would not be good."

I scoffed. "Just because I'm with child doesn't mean I'm invisible or useless. I'm coming too, you might need me. Which, to be honest, you usually always do."

With that, I didn't leave room for argument as I spun on my heel and left to pack.

The next day, we left at first light and found our way to a hut off of a path deep in the Forest of Glaestig. Arthur and Merlin both helped me off of my horse (to which I had to restrain myself from clobbering them because I was perfectly capable of doing it myself).

Arthur couldn't help but eye the hut curiously. "Are you sure this is the right place? It looks like a charcoal maker's hut."

"The old man can hardly make a living practising magic," Merlin quickly lied. "I think that a lot of sorcerers are in the charcoal business."

Arthur didn't look entirely convinced as he walked up to the front door. I followed him, trying to block Merlin from his sight so he could run off to take the aging potion.

It almost worked until Arthur turned around and noticed Merlin still standing there. "Are you joining me?"

"We don't want to overwhelm him," Merlin offered weakly. "He probably doesn't get many visitors. I'll stay out here and watch the horses."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "I have never met anyone who is so scared so often. Scream like a big girl if there's any trouble."

"Don't worry. You'll hear me," Merlin nodded as Arthur and I turned back to face the front door.

Arthur leaned over a little and whispered, "Sometimes I feel very sorry for you."

I couldn't help a small giggle as Arthur knocked on the door. There, obviously, wasn't a response, but Arthur opened the door anyways. He held up his hand at me, telling me to wait until he could check it out first before I could go in. "Hello...?" He called, looking around the hut. There was no response again, and he turned his head back to me and nodded. We stepped inside, but there was no one there.

Arthur growled under his breath. "That-"

"Watch it," I reminded him. "Say whatever you wish about him when I'm not around, but when I am around, I'll punch the daylights out of you."

Arthur just gave me a look but walked out of the hut. I followed after him only to see Merlin try to hurry into the trees.

"There's no one here," he declared. "Are you sure this is the right place?"

"I'm absolutely certain of it," Merlin tried. "I'm sure he'll be back soon."

"Well, how d'you know when he'll be back?" Arthur demanded.

Merlin had to refrain from rolling his eyes. "He's a doddery old man. He can't have gone far. If you want his help, you'll have to just wait for him inside."

Arthur finally seemed to notice what Merlin was up to. "Where are you sneaking off to?"

Forced to think on the spot, Merlin blurted, "I have to pee." Seeing the disgusted look on Arthur's face, Merlin kept with the idea. "So unless you want to come and watch me, you should wait for him inside."

"Why would I want to watch you?" Arthur wondered, disgusted.

Okay, time to diffuse the situation. I grabbed a hold of Arthur's arm. "Let's go before Merlin soils his pants," I suggested, and not letting Arthur argue, I pulled him away from Merlin and towards the hut.

Once back inside, Arthur immediately began poking around. A few dusty old bottles, pots on the table.

"Arthur, be careful before you-"

Before I could finish the sentence, Arthur had turned, and in doing so, he knocked over a bottle, which in turn knocked a pot off of the table. It fell to the floor and broke with a loud smash.

"-break something."

Arthur grimaced. "What do I do?"

"I don't know!" I replied. "I'm not sure the old man is going to appreciate you breaking his things."

"Well, I'm sure he's going to appreciate me not having him burnt at the stake," Arthur retorted, kicking the broken pieces of pottery under the table to hide them.

"Don't forget Arthur-you need his help," I reminded him, giving him a serious face because, well, this was a serious situation. I was okay with hiding my magic, but it was my child that I was worried about. Children were unpredictable even when it came to normal stuff. I couldn't imagine what a magical baby would do. With a seer for a mother and the most powerful warlock in existence for a father, my son will no doubt have magic.

Before he could reply, the door opened, and in walked Old Merlin. The look on Arthur's face was certainly worth the wait, that's for sure.

"You," Arthur breathed in surprise, and I quickly changed my face to a look of a surprise when I realized that I should have looked surprised too.

"So we meet again, Arthur Pendragon," Merlin croaked.

Arthur instinctively reached for the hilt of his sword, which didn't go unnoticed by Merlin as he said, "You have come to kill me?"

I put my hand on Arthur's and lowered it from the hilt. "No, that's not why we came," I told him, acting as if I had no idea who he was.

Merlin walked forward, but stopped when a loud crunching sound filled the air. He looked down and moved his foot to reveal pieces of the broken pot that Arthur had missed.

He looked back up at the prince, who grimaced. "I broke a pot."

"You always were a clumsy fool," Merlin stated, before grabbing a nearby broom and holding it out to Arthur.

"Excuse me?" Arthur asked, looking at the broom.

"So if you haven't come all this way to kill me, why have you come here?" Merlin demanded. "I take it you didn't come all this way just to smash my favourite pot?"

"If I'd known who you were, I would not have come at all," Arthur said. He looked over at me. "Come, Elizabeth."

With that, he began to walk towards the door. Merlin and I exchanged panicked looks, and I ran after Arthur and grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Arthur, are you forgetting that that man is Uther's only hope?"

"The girl speaks the truth!" Merlin eagerly agreed.

Arthur looked taken aback as the two of us looked over at Merlin.

"How did you know?" Arthur demanded.

"I know more than you could possibly comprehend," Merlin responded cryptically.

"Well, given your hatred for my father and everything he stands for, I've clearly had a wasted journey," Arthur grumbled.

"Do not suppose that you know my mind," Merlin said.

Arthur gave me a hopeful look, which I returned as he looked back at Merlin with a desperate look. "Will you help me?"

"You are asking me to save the life of a man that would have me executed," Merlin pointed out.

Arthur sighed. "I know what I am asking of you, and you have no reason to help me. But... You're my father's only hope. I'll give you anything you ask for. Land, gold - name your price."

"I do not want your gold!" Merlin declared. "All I have ever wanted is that people like me can live in peace. That those who practice magic are accepted, rather than hunted. That is all I ask." Arthur still looked uncertain, because Merlin added. "That is the price. Your father's life."

After another moment's hesitation, Arthur squared his shoulders back. "I give you my solemn word. When I am King, things will be different. You won't have to live in fear."

I nearly cried out in relief, but I kept my composure as Merlin nodded. "Then I will help you."

Arthur's face filled with hope as Merlin beamed and shook his hand, then mine.

"There's no time to waste. We must ride for Camelot immediately," Arthur said excitedly as he turn to run outside.

Uh oh. Old Merlin couldn't go to Camelot while real Merlin was being him. "Now?" He stuttered.

"My father weakens by the hour," Arthur explained.

Merlin desperately thought of an excuse, but all he could come up with was, "But I have...no horse."

Without skipping a beat, Arthur replied, "You can use Merlin's. He'll just have to walk back."

That was the wrong thing to say when Merlin was impersonating the old warlock, and I nearly slapped my forehead. "You would make your servant walk back to Camelot? I have a good mind not to help you."

"I don't care whose horse you use," Arthur said. "We have to get to Camelot before it's too late."

Thinking on his feet, Merlin quickly said, "First, I must gather some rare herbs. They are an essential part of the cure. I will come to Camelot at nightfall. If you want my help, that is how it needs to be."

I grabbed Arthur's arm, and he turned his attention to me. "If that's what he has to do, Arthur..." I trailed off.

For once, Arthur listened to me as he looked over at Merlin. "We will meet you at the lower gate outside the town..." He paused, then he said, "Give me your word you'll be there."

"You have my word," Merlin promised. Then, he said, "Now just wait here one moment."

Arthur wrinkled his brow. "Why?"

"Questions. So many questions. For once in your life, would you just do what your told?" Merlin groaned, and he hurried out the front door.

"It looks like you just got scolded by an old man," I grinned at him.

Arthur just shook his head at me as he looked away. I knew that if I were a boy, he would have told me to shut up, but because I was a girl, he knew he couldn't. Sometimes I loved being a girl.

Arthur started poking around again, and I had just opened my mouth to tell Arthur to be care careful again when he nearly dropped he was holding.

"Maybe you just shouldn't touch anything," I suggested, and Arthur nodded in agreement.

"Right," He said, then he sighed. "What are we waiting in here for?" With that, he moved to go outside, and I had to go scrambling after him to make sure that I could block his view if he saw Merlin.

When we got out there, there was no sign of Merlin, in his young or old form. I breathed a sigh of relief quietly as Arthur called out, "Merlin...?"

There was a crack of twigs, and Arthur automatically pushed me behind him as he reached for the hilt of his sword, scanning the trees. Just as he made to pull out his sword, Merlin emerged from behind the tree, once again his youthful self.

Arthur narrowed his eyes suspiciously at my husband. "What were you doing?"

Put on the spot, Merlin blurted, "Peeing."

He really needed to work on his lying skills.

Arthur looked disturbed as he asked, "You mean to say you were peeing all the time I was in there?"

Merlin was forced to nod. "I really had to go."

Arthur paused. Then, "There is definitely something very wrong with you."

"That is why we're having Gaius test him," I lied quickly, then pointed to the horses. "Shall we go? My ankles are killing me."

Merlin and I went straight to Gaius's chambers when we got back, and Gaius was relieved to see the two of us in one piece. "I was worried. I thought something had happened," he told us.

Merlin started to search the shelves, taking various books down. "Well, apart from Arthur thinking there's something very wrong with my bladder, everything went to plan."

Gaius looked at him in concern. "I take it that this means you're going through with it?"

Merlin sighed. "If I can heal Uther, Arthur has given me his word that when he is King, magic will no longer be outlawed. This could change everything."

"And what if something goes wrong? What of Arthur's attitude to magic then?" Gaius asked.

Merlin stopped and looked at Gaius. "I live with the risk of being exposed every day. If I don't take this opportunity, maybe I'll spend the rest of my life having to hide who I really am. And it's not just my life at stake anymore-it's my wife's and my child's. If I can do something to ensure that they don't have to live in fear, I'll do it. Everyone's always telling me I have this great destiny. Maybe this is it. I have to try."

I could tell Gaius couldn't brng himself to argue, so I went over to Merlin, grabbed half the books, then nodded to his old room. "In that case, we have lots of studying to do."

Merlin growled in frustration as he nearly tore apart one of the books. "I promised Arthur I could heal Uther and I can't even find the right spell," he said as Gaius walked in, holding a small leather tome.

"That's because you're reading the wrong books. Here..." Gaius held out the book to Merlin, which he took. "Gwillem of Cambria was as mad as a coot, but there has never been a better healer."

Merlin smiled at him and said, "Gaius. Thank you."

With that, the three of us found the right spell and potion and began to study it. I helped Gaius prepare the potion while Merlin memorized the spell, and by nightfall, we were ready.

"You must only four drops. Any more could be dangerous," Gaius reminded him.

"Let's hope I can remember the spell," Merlin muttered to himself.

I put a hand on his shoulder. "Have more faith in your abilities, love," I told him. "I married a powerful warlock, so act like it."

He had just given me a smile when Arthur's voice from outside called out, "Merlin?!"

Panic flashed in Merlin's eyes as he looked at us. "You have to get rid of him!" Merlin begged as he ran to the spot behind the door where he would be covered by the door.

Arthur called out Merlin's name again, and Gaius and I scrambled to sit down and open books as Arthur strolled in. I looked up from my book, pretending that Arthur was interrupting my reading. "Is there nowhere I can read, Arthur?"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "For the thousandth time, Elizabeth, I didn't mean to disturb your reading the other day," He said. Everywhere I had gone to try and read, Arthur had disrupted it. Outside, in the council room, even in my own chambers (Arthur had heard of a rat complaint and was checking it out for himself). He turned his attention to the court physician. "Gaius, have you seen my useless toad of a servant?"

"I'm afraid not," Gaius smoothly lied.

"Well, where on earth is he?" Arthur demanded.

I opened my mouth to say that he was out picking herbs when Gaius blurted, "Have you tried the tavern?"

Enraged, Arthur growled, "The tavern. Of course. I'm going to make him wish he was never born." He nodded at me. "I think you should have a chat with your husband about being a drunkard." Arthur turned and left, shutting the door behind him.

Merlin, who was hidden by the door holding some herbs, gave Gaius a look of outrage. "Why did you tell him I was in the tavern?"

Gaius shrugged innocently. "It was the first thing that popped into my head."

Merlin rolled his eyes. "Well, next time, go for the second, or the third thing that pops into your head. Just anywhere but the tavern." He then went over to the door and opened it a crack, checking the corridor to make sure that the coast was clear.

I got up to go to Uther's chambers, and Merlin and I were standing at the door when Gaius called out, "Good luck, you two."

I sat in Uther's chambers, watching him get worse and worse by the second. I was holding his hand in my own and holding it close to my mouth. The sound of the door opening made me look up, and Arthur walked in with Old Merlin.

"You came," I said, proud of myself for the surprise in my tone.

Old Merlin nodded solemnly. "I gave my word."

I dropped Uther's hand as I went over and stood next to Arthur so Merlin could have space to word. I looped one arm through Arthur's when I saw how anxious he was getting as Merlin placed four drops of hogswart on Uther's lips. Merlin took a branch of sage and held it over Uther. Merlin straightened his back to prepare to do the spell, and as his eyes glowed, Arthur finally cracked.

"Wait!" He said.

Merlin stood down and looked at Arthur. "Is something wrong?"

"My father has taught me never to trust magic, and now I am using it to save him," Arthur explained.

Merlin gave him a look. "Your own life has been saved using magic more times than you can possibly imagine."

Arthur returned the look. "What on earth are you talking about?"

Fearing Merlin's slip up, I made the "cut it out" gesture with my hand across my neck, and Merlin said, "I merely mean to say that magic is all around you. It is woven into the very fabric of the world."

"How can I be sure it's the right thing to do?" Arthur asked, and I knew how genuinely scared he was.

"I know you have suffered because of magic, as many have. But not all magic, and not all sorcerers are the same," Merlin told him. "I wish only to show you that magic can be used for good. I hope one day you'll see me in a different light."

Arthur seemed really...moved, by Merlin's word, and I felt my heart soar at the thought of a magic filled Camelot, where my son would be free to be who he was. To sweeten the deal, I squeezed Arthur's arm and said, "Let's let him do his work, Arthur."

Arthur nodded, and the two of us stepped back as Merlin turned to Uther. He held up the sage branch again as his eyes glowed. The sage branch began to smoke, and as it did, Merlin wafted the incense over Uther and began to chant, "Efencume ætgædre, eala gastas cræftige: gestricie pis lic forod!"

Merlin completed the spell, and his eyes glowed one last time. I could feel the tension blind me as Arthur and I looked expectantly at Uther, desperately hoping to see some signs of life.

For a moment there, it looked like the spell didn't work. But then, Uther's eyes snapped open, and I couldn't help but let out a small laugh/sob as Arthur and I ran over to Uther's side.

"Father... Father?" Arthur said, holding one of Uther's hands.

"Uther?" I tried, holding his other.

Uther managed a weak smile as he looked at Arthur. "Arthur..." Then he looked at me. "Elizabeth..."

Arthur and I laughed in relief, and Arthur took my free hand in his own and gave it a squeeze. I looked over at Merlin, who was allowing a smile, and I gave him my own encouraging one. Our new future is brighter than ever before, I thought to myself as I looked back down at Uther.

Of course, just as I thought that, Uther's expression suddenly contorted in pain and his breathing started to fail.

"What's happening?!" Arthur asked in alarm, looking over at Merlin.

Merlin was equally as alarmed and confused as he confessed, "I don't know..."

"Uther!" I said, clutching his hand tightly in despair, but I knew he was fading fast

"Do something!" Arthur thundered at Merlin, but poor Merlin didn't know what to do.

Uther suddenly went still, and I felt his hand go limp in my own. No...no... I thought to myself in despair, and my hands shook uncontrollably as I turned Uther's hand over and felt for a pulse on his wrist. My stomach dropped all the way to the pits of the earth as I sobbed, "He's dead."

"No... He can't be…" Arthur choked, and he began shaking his father. "Father... Father?!..."

I dropped Uther's hand as I grabbed Arthur by the shoulder. "Arthur, please..." I sniffled. "There's no point, he's gone."

Arthur, realizing I was right, gave up. He gave his father one long stare, his mind obviously swimming with all sorts of feelings. Suddenly, he turned on Merlin, and in all the years that I had known Arthur Pendragon, I had never seen him so hurt or angry.

"What have you done?" Arthur demanded.

"This was not supposed to happen," Merlin said, obviously still horrified.

"You gave me your word," Arthur shook. "You- you have killed him... You killed him!"

"No..." Merlin whispered.

Arthur drew his sword and advanced on Merlin. "You'll die for what you've done!"

I almost screamed, "Arthur, no!" but I restrained myself when I realized that would have meant that I was trying to save the man that Arthur thought killed his father, and the last thing I needed was Arthur thinking that I couldn't be trusted.

Merlin, however, could take care of himself. He thrust his hand out and chanted, "Hleap on bæc!" as his eyes flashed gold. Arthur flew backwards and fell to the floor, momentarily stunned.

"Arthur!" I cried, getting up from my spot beside Uther. Even though my eyes were swimming with tears, I took half a second to look over at Merlin and scream at him with my eyes to run.

Merlin was gone by the time I got to Arthur's side, grabbing him by the shoulders and helping him sit up. "Are you all right?" I asked as I felt for bumps on his head.

Arthur nodded at me. "I'm fine," He said, getting up and running out the door after Merlin.

After Arthur realized that Old Merlin was nowhere to be found, we went and got Gaius and Gwen. When we got back to Uther's chambers, Gaius did a quick examination of Uther's body.

Merlin, as his normal self, had just hurried in as Gaius closed Uther's eyes. I was standing next to Arthur and Gwen, leaning my head on Arthur's arm as Gaius turned to us.

"I'm sorry, Arthur... The King is dead," Gaius said mournfully.

Arthur, still unable to accept this, buried his face in his hands as tears streamed down his face. My own face flooded with tears as I went over to Merlin and wrapped my arms around him, burying my chest in his face.

I looked over at Uther as Gaius covered his face with a sheet.

He was gone.

"The spell was working. I'm sure of it," Merlin insisted as he, Gaius, and I walked into Gaius's chambers. "I did everything right."

"Then what happened?" I wondered, finally managing to pull myself together after a good bit of crying.

Merlin groaned. "I don't know!"

"I think I do," Gaius said, and Merlin and I both turned to the physician as he opened his hand to reveal a small silver charm. "I found it round Uther's neck. It's been enchanted and such an enchantment would reverse the effects of your healing spell. Uther didn't stand a chance."

It instantly clicked in my mind at the same time it clicked in Merlin's mind, and the two of us looked at each other as we said, "Morgana," at the same time.

Gaius nodded sadly. "I believe so."

My sister...Uther's daughter...Morgana killed her own father. I knew her heart had become consumed with hatred, but I didn't know it was so bad.

She'd pay for this.

I wouldn't let my sister get away with this.

I carried a tray of tea and pastries up to Arthur's chambers. I nodded my thanks at one of the guards that opened the door for me, and I cautiously stepped into the room, not knowing how Arthur was going to react.

He was sitting in one of his chairs, just staring into space. I knew Arthur well enough by now to know that he was struggling with his emotions, and I set the tray on top of one of the tables. "I brought some tea," I tried, sitting down across from him. "I thought you could use some."

Arthur didn't respond, and I sighed. "I'm so sorry, Arthur. I know how you feel, but the only difference with what happened with me was that I was much younger when my father died, so I didn't feel the pain as badly as you do now." I leaned over and put my hand on top of his. "But we'll get through this," I tried saying convincingly. "We will. I know I can't promise much, but I promise that I'm here for you, Arthur Pendragon. You're not alone."

Arthur didn't say anything again, but he did squeeze my hand back. I opened my mouth to say something, but someone entered the room, and a glance over my shoulder revealed it to be Merlin.

"I am so sorry," he apologized, and I knew how much deeper the words went through for Merlin. "I... I should've... I wish that there was something I could have done."

"Merlin," Arthur cut him off. "No one but me is to blame for this."

"You are not to blame," I assured him.

"This isn't your fault," Merlin agreed.

"I'm entirely to blame," Arthur argued. "My father spent twenty years fighting magic. To think I knew better." He shook his head at himself. "I was so arrogant. That arrogance has cost my father his life."

"You were only doing what you thought was right. I'm sure that that old sorcerer meant no harm," Merlin struggled. "Perhaps the spell went wrong. Uther was dying. Maybe nothing could have saved him..."

"We'll never know," Arthur concluded. "All I know for sure is that I've lost both my parents to magic. It is pure evil. I'll never lose sight of that again."

There was a knock at the door, and Arthur got up and left to deal with the situation. As he did, I distinctly felt the absence of warmth in my hand as he let go of it, but this was a different kind of warmth. Like... a part of Arthur and I had just disconnected, and I was afraid there was nothing that could fix it.

As Arthur stepped out of the room, I stood up and stared at Merlin, who gave me a heartbroken look that I returned.

At the same time, I lifted my hand and caressed my stomach, where my baby was laying.

Merlin and I sat down in the ante chamber of the Throne room where Uther was laying in state. From what I saw, there was a raised dais in the centre of the space. Uther was laying on it, surrounded by candles. Arthur was inside, mourning his father. I didn't bother asking if he minded that I be there with him; I knew this was something that Arthur had to do alone.

"We should leave him to mourn," I suggested, just to break the silence. I had no idea how to convince Merlin that Uther's death wasn't his fault, because my husband, bless his soul, would blame himself forever.

"This is all my fault. I killed him," Merlin finally choked.

I leaned forward, putting one arm around Merlin's shoulders and hugging him to me. I pressed my forehead into his temple as I said firmly, "You did not kill him. Do you hear me?" I pulled my head up. "Morgana did. Uther's spirit died when she broke his heart."

Merlin didn't respond, so I looked back to where Arthur was. "We have to think about the future now. With Uther's death, Arthur will have to take the throne." I looked back over at Merlin. "Maybe Arthur's reign will bring peace and stability."

"Magic will still be outlawed," Merlin pointed out.

I sighed deeply as I leaned my head on his shoulder. "I know."

"I've turned Arthur against it forever. He'll never know who I really am," He looked over at me. "Who we really are. Who our child's going to be."

"There are still many years to come, Merlin, and even though I'm a seer, even I don't know what's going to happen," I pointed out. "Maybe the time will come. Arthur will be under even more pressure now than ever now that he's King. He's going to need us, and we can't afford to fail him."

Merlin nodded, and I tapped his back. "You should go get something to eat," he said to me.

I shook my head. "I can't even fathom the thought of eating."

He sighed, looking over at me. "Lizzie, you can't do that anymore. You're with child, you need food."

I tried giving him a look, but knowing he was right, I gave in. "Fine. But I'll be back when I'm done."

"I know you will," he said as he kissed my cheek.

Light streaming through the window was what woke me up, though Arthur's voice saying, "Merlin? Elizabeth?" definitely woke me up more.

Merlin and I had fallen asleep, I guess, in the ante chamber. Actually, it looked like Merlin hadn't slept at all, but I probably drifted closer to the early hours of the morning. Arthur was standing in the doorway, looking at the two of us sitting there.

He looked...better. He looked calm and composed, almost as if he was serene. We all traded stares, and then Arthur looked at the light flooding in through the window - in a contemplative mood. "It is a new day," he declared.

Merlin stood up, then helped me stand up as Arthur asked, "You two been here all night?"

Merlin and I exchanged looks, and Merlin spoke for the both of us as he said, "We didn't want you to feel that you were alone."

"You're a loyal friend, Merlin," Arthur said, touched. Then he looked at me, "And you're the last of my family, Elizabeth."

I smiled at him as I went over to him. I gave him a big hug, but I stayed next to him as Arthur closed the throne room doors and took a deep breath in. "You must be hungry," He said to the two of us.

We nodded in confirmation. "Starving," Merlin said.

"Me too..." Arthur said. "Come on. Merlin can make us some breakfast."

Merlin and I didn't question Arthur's mood change. The three of us just headed up the spiral staircase.

The sun shone over Camelot, signalling the start of a beautiful day. Guards were taking their positions, villagers were heading up the palace steps, pages were blowing their trumpets.

It was coronation day.

I was dressed my best, glad that my stomach was still flat for this day so I could wear my nicer dresses (Gwen hadn't gotten started on any maternity dresses yet).

The Throne Room was packed with courtiers who bowed as Arthur walked toward the throne. An air of excitement and anticipation filled the room. I stood off to the side, while Merlin preferred to stand in the crowd, but he was standing in the front. Gaius, Gwen, Agravaine, Percival, Sir Leon, Gwaine and Elyan were all in attendance.

Arthur knelt when he got to the front of the room, right before the throne. Geoffrey of Monmouth stood next to him with the crown in his hands.

"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of Camelot according to their respective laws and customs?" Geoffrey asked.

"I solemnly swear so to do," Arthur promised.

"Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?" Geoffrey went on.

"I will," Arthur declared.

"Then by the sacred laws vested in me, I pronounce you Arthur, King of Camelot!" Geoffrey placed the crown upon Arthur's head. Arthur stood and looked out over the courtiers.

Agravaine shouted, "Long live the King!"

I wanted to throttle him for being the first person to say that because he was conspiring with the illegitimate princess, but I wouldn't let Agravaine ruin today as I joined in on the chant. "Long live the king! Long live the King!"

As I locked eyes with Merlin, I knew that this wasn't how we planned for this to go. But we were here, and we were going to make the best of it.

Camelot had a new King.

TBC...

Again sorry for the late update! School has started back up and I'm now in my senior year, but I'll try my best for updates!

REVIEW! FOLLOW! FAVOURITE! THANKS! STAY TUNED!

THE ADVENTURES OF ELIZABETH MALINOR CONTINUE...

"Borden is not a man to be trusted," Gaius advises to Merlin.

Merlin steps into a room, and Borden grabs him by the scruff of his neck and throws him against the wall, holding a dagger to his throat. "What do you want?" He demands.

"To help you," Merlin answers.

"We both know what he hid there," Borden says to Gaius.

"A dragon's egg," Gaius concludes.

"You want the egg to remain lost forever," Merlin accuses Gaius

Merlin and Elizabeth go to see Kilgharrah.

"This is a chance in a thousand, Merlin," Kilgharrah says.

Merlin, Elizabeth, and the knights of Camelot trek in the forest.

An arrow nearly skewers Sir Percival.

Merlin and Elizabeth kneel over Arthur in concern.

"No!" Merlin yells as shambles begin to fall from the ceiling.

I don't remember much about this episode but I DO remember that I didn't like it so it'll probably be a short chapter! TUNE IN NEXT TIME!