Merlyn and Gaius got a disturbing call as they made their way to the lower towns. Turns out, someone found a dead body. Merlyn was slightly disgusted as she looked at the body.

"Aren't you scared?" Merlyn asked as Gaius had crouched down to the man.

"Of what?" Gaius asked back as he was examining the body.

"That you might catch whatever it is." Merlyn stood far from the body as it sent shivers down her spine.

"I'm the court physician, Merlyn. This is apart of my job. Most of the time there is nothing to be scared of." Gaius turned over the corpse and they could see his white skin with blue veins all over the corpse and the dead white eyes. Merlyn gulped and took another step back.

"You were saying?" Merlyn looked worriedly at her mentor, but Gaius just looked around.

"People mustn't see this. They will panic." Gaius' eyes landed on a cart and then to Merlyn.

Merlyn was wheeling the body over the drawbridge as Gaius walked in front of her. A white cloth was over the body, to make sure no one would see. Gwen saw the two of them and walked over, a little confused Merlyn holding a cart.

"What are you doing?" She asked. Merlyn's eyes darted to Gaius then back to Gwen.

"Uhm, just moving something," Her eyes landed on the flowers in Gwen's hands. "Did someone get you flowers?" She asked, trying to lead the conversation somewhere else. It worked, thankfully.

"Oh. No," Gwen giggled. "Would you like one? A purple one. Purple suits you." Gwen put the purple flower behind Merlyn's ear and they smiled. They said their goodbyes and Merlyn and Gaius moved towards their chambers.

Merlyn and Gaius had reached their chambers and the latter was studying the corpse better with a magnifying glass.

"I've never seen anything like this before." Gaius said. Merlyn was looked at the body. She couldn't take her eyes off of it, even though she didn't like what she was seeing.

"Do you think it could be some kind of plague?" She asked, trying to keep her mind off of the body.

"No. I fear that something like this could never come from nature. But who has this kind of power?" Merlyn frowned at this.

"You think it's caused by magic?" She asked. Gaius gave her a brow, but before he could answer a shout was heard.

"Merlyn!" It was Arthur. Merlyn swiftly made her way to the door and blocked the inside so he couldn't see the body.

She gave him a smile and he almost returned it. His eyes landed on the flower in her ear and she noticed.

"Someone gave me this flower." She said. Arthur's face turned and Merlyn could swear it was jealousy. She just smiled innocently and urged him to continue.

"Tell Gaius my father wants to see him now." Arthur said and he walked away, without saying anything. Merlyn smirked and closed the door.

"Gaius-" Merlyn didn't even had time to finish her sentence as the man in question cut her off.

"I heard." Merlyn rolled her eyes and grabbed the white cloth and put it over the body. She quickly drank a little water as her throat was dry.

Merlyn and Gaius made their way towards the throne room where the king and prince stood and Merlyn almost wanted to turn back as she saw another white body.

"What happened to him?" The king asked. Gaius bent down to the body and looked at it carefully.

"I don't know, sire. It's the second case I've seen today." Gaius admitted. The king looked kind of angry.

"Why didn't you report it to me?" You could hear the slight anger in his voice, but Gaius ignored it.

"I was attempting to find the cause." Gaius said as he stood up. Merlyn felt sick as she looked at the body, although it felt as if it didn't just come from watching the body.

"What did you conclude?" Uther asked. Gaius raised a brow, but stayed silent for a moment.

"I don't think it's time to hurry to conclusions. The scientific process is a long one." He answered as vaguely as he could. The king noticed this.

"What are you concealing from me? What is the cause, Gaius?" The was starting to get impatient and Merlyn felt like she could faint.

"I think you should say that the cause, the most likely cause, is sorcery." Gasps tore out of the room as Uther pulled his son closer to him. Arthur was slightly surprised as he kept his gaze on Merlyn, who looked paler by the second.

"We must find who did this." Uther whispered. Arthur nodded, focusing his attention to his father instead of his maidservant.

"Conduct door to door searches. Increase your presence in the town. Double the guards on all the gates. And lend the physician your servant." Arthur's brows furrowed at the mention of Merlyn. He didn't like the way her face was paler than usual and how her eyes were focused on the floor.

"Merlyn? But…"

"We need Gaius to find a cure. He needs all the help we can give him. If Gaius is right, believe me, this city will be wiped out. This is the kind of magic that undermines our authority, challenges all we've done. If we cannot control this plague, people will turn to magic for a cure. We have to find this sorcerer, and quickly." Uther explained. Arthur reluctantly nodded.

"Yes, father."

Merlyn didn't feel any better. She kept seeing black spots and her hands had turned even paler. She and Gaius walked through the lower towns again as Arthur did his rounds. She looked over when she heard a man groan. He was almost dead, but still alive.

"Gaius? Gaius, he's still alive." Merlyn walked over to the man who was sitting on the ground. "Don't worry, I'll stay here with you." She grabbed the man's hand and she could see him smile. Merlyn had tears streaming down her face, she could feel the life slipping from the man.

With one last smile, his breathing stopped. Merlyn sobbed and dropped the hand. She looked at her own and saw that blue veins were starting to appear. She hid her hands from view and stood up.

Everyone had been staring at her. Even Arthur. Merlyn quickly wiped her eyes and walked over to Gaius, who gave her a hug.

"I could have saved him." She mumbled in Gaius' embrace. The old man sighed and reminded her that it could get her killed right now. Merlyn laughed dryly and stepped out of his embrace.

"I'm already dying at this rate." She showed Gaius her hands and his eyes widened. Before he could say something, Merlyn collapsed. Arthur had watched it all and immediately dashed to her aid. He picked her up from the ground and saw her hands.

"Quickly, bring her to my chambers." It was like that sentence was spoke too much.

Arthur laid Merlyn on her bed and stroked her cheek, that looked way too pale. Gaius came back with some potions and started to feed her.

"I hate to say it like this, but thanks to Merlyn, I think I figured out how the disease is spread." Gaius said. Arthur turned to look at him and Gaius shook his head. They sighed and Gaius ushered the worried prince out of the room.

Arthur made his way towards the throne room, where his father was waiting for his report. Arthur stepped in while they were eating, but he didn't take a seat.

"We've searched everywhere, the entire city." He started. Getting Uther's attention.

"Nothing?" The king asked. Arthur shook his head.

"I don't know where else to look."

"I want you to impose a curfew. No one is to be allowed onto the streets after the great bell." Arthur gave a confused look at his father. "And cordon off the lower town."

"Why?" The prince asked, although he already knew the answer.

"Because that's where most of the victims are. Let's isolate it, stop this disease from spreading." This made Arthur furious.

"What does it matter as Merlyn already has the disease?!" He exclaimed. Morgana, who had been eating with Uther, gasped. Her eyes showed fear and she immediately stood up. Uther was confused and angry at his son's outburst and didn't understand the concern.

Morgana ran out of the throne room and Arthur wanted nothing more than to follow her, but he still had to deal with his father.

"Why are you so concerned about a mere serving girl?" The king asked. Arthur's hands became fists as he ignored his father's question.

"Gaius said that he may have the cause of the disease, thanks to Merlyn." This captured the kings attention and he completely forgot about his son's outburst.

"Bring Gaius here, immediately."

Arthur ran to Gaius' chambers and ran through the door. Morgana was there as well as Gwen. They were all worriedly outside her room.

"Where is Gaius?" Arthur asked. Morgana pointed at the door that led to Merlyn's room.

"He's in there, trying to find a cure." Morgana said. She had tears in her eyes, as had Gwen. They were both worried for their new friend. Gaius exited the room and was surprised when Arthur was also here.

"Gaius, my father wants to see you. Now."

After Gaius told the king that the source was the water, the King ordered to extend the search. Gaius quickly made his way towards his chambers and was surprised to see Merlyn out her room and reading a book.

"Merlyn! You should be resting!" Her skin was still pale and the blue veins were painfully visible. Merlyn looked at her mentor with determination and slightly glared at him.

"I can't lay still in bed, when I know there might be people dying." She argued back, and Gaius knew he couldn't get her out of it. He walked over to Merlyn and sat next to her.

"Alright, you can help me. If your well enough to stand." Merlyn smiled and stood up. She walked like a normal person to show Gaius she was fine, but he could see her legs shaking.

Gaius sighed and told the sick girl to follow him. She was going to give him a heart attack someday.

The pair made their way towards the Water Cavern. Gaius had the keys and a torch in his hands. Merlyn sometimes had to steady herself, but she told Gaius she was fine.

That was lie. Merlyn already felt like death, but she didn't want to give in to the sickness. She knew she had to stay strong. Whatever caused this, she felt like she had to help. Even if she could die in the process.

Gaius opened the gates and they stepped into the cold cavern. Before them was the source of water and Gaius gave Merlyn a bottle.

"The water from here supplies the whole town. Take a sample." He told her. Merlyn walked over to the water and took a sample. When it was full, Merlyn turned to Gaius and she smiled.

"Let's take it back and examine it." Immediately after Gaius said that, a large creature appeared from the water. It disappeared as soon as it came. Merlyn took a couple steps back.

"What the hell was that?!" Her eyes were as wide as saucers and Gaius had a similar expression. He grabbed Merlyn's arm and pulled her out of the cavern, getting away from there as soon as possible.

Merlyn and Gaius were back in his chambers and looked through books. Merlyn had trouble concentrating and she felt like she could pass out again.

"Here. It was an Afnac." She snapped her head to Gaius as he spoke. He showed her the book and Merlyn furrowed her brows.

"An...A what?" Her mind couldn't focus, but she refused to listen to it.

"A beast born of clay, and conjured up only by the most powerful sorcerer. Now we have to find a way to defeat it. But where?" Gaius walked over to the bookshelves as Merlyn slumped down in a chair.

"That could take days. I don't think I even have half a day." She muttered. Suddenly and overgrown lizard entered her mind and she stood up.

"I'll be back." She yelled at Gaius as she ran out. Merlyn made her way towards the familiar cave and grabbed a torch on her way down.

"H-hello?" It was starting to get hard to breathe.

"Hello." A loud, but gentle voice spoke, as Kilgharrah flew down. "The great witch returns, it looks like you are very ill little one." He spoke. Merlyn nodded and turned to the matter at hand.

"I-I need to know how to d-defeat an Afnac." She choked out. The dragon sighed.

"Trust the elements that are at your command." He said. Merlyn groaned and glared at Kilgharrah. He sighed again and it looked like he rolled his eyes. "An Afnac is made of water and earth, the other two are fire and air."

Merlyn smiled and thanked him. She ran out of the cave and made her way back. She stumbled into the chambers to see Gaius and Arthur talking to each other. Arthur gasped as he saw Merlyn.

The blue veins had completely covered her and her skin was as pale as ice. "Merlyn! What are you doing? You should be resting!" Arthur exclaimed. She ignored him however and almost fell forwards.

Arthur catched her, but Merlyn turned to Gaius. "Fire and air! That is how we can defeat the A-Afnac!" Gaius raised him infamous brow and asked her how she knew that. "An Afnac is m-made of earth and w-water. So, fire and air c-can destroy it." She was still in Arthur's arms as she rambled on.

Gaius agreed and Merlyn wanted to get out of the prince's grip, but he wouldn't let her. "Come, Arthur, we need to kill it." She pleaded, but Arthur shook his head.

"You aren't going anywhere. You can barely stand. I can kill it." He put Merlyn in a chair and walked to the door. Merlyn scoffed and stood up. She walked over to Arthur and hit him on the head.

"I can walk just fine." She stood in front of him and he turned to Gaius for help, who just ushered the to go. Arthur sighed and grabbed Merlyn's hand.

They arrived at the Water Cavern and Arthur held up a torch. "You better be right about this." He mumbled, still holding Merlyn's hand. They heard a growl and Arthur knew that that wasn't something normal.

"You should stay here." He turned to Merlyn who leaned on him for support. She shook her head and smirked.

"Scared I'll show you up?" Merlyn let go of Arthur and truded forwards. He sighed and followed her. "How are we going to find it?" She asked. Arthur shrugged and walked next to her.

"I just hope we do before it finds us." They reach the water source and Merlyn leans on it. Arthur heard a growl and turned around. It disappeared as the fire came close. "It...It's fast." Arthur breathed out. Merlyn made her way over again and leaned on the prince.

Her breathing had slowed and she could barely open her eyes. Arthur cursed under his breath. The Afnac appeared again and Arthur swiped the torch at the monster.

Without thinking, Merlyn said the spell. "Lyfte ic þe in balwen ac forhienan." Her eyes turned gold and Arthur had no time to react as the wind picked up and made the fire flow to the Afnac. The creature incinerated and Merlyn fell.

Arthur threw the torch on the ground and picked Merlyn up. She was breathing normally and her skin started to turn back to her normal pale colour. He sighed a breath of relief and smiled.

Even though she had used magic, she saved him. She saved him while she was dying. Arthur could never be mad at her, or kill her for that matter. If his father found out about her, than he would do everything in his power to keep her safe.

He picked the unconscious witch from the ground and held her in his arms. Arthur walked out of the cavern and carried her back to her room.

Gaius had informed the king of the good news and of Nimueh. Uther was furious, but still glad the Afnac was gone. Merlyn was recovering, but scared. She had used magic in front of Arthur.

She couldn't look at him and hoped she would still be able to live tomorrow. Merlyn had kept it a secret from Gaius, but knew it was only a matter of time before he found out.

They were seated in their chambers and ate the food quietly. There was a knock on the door and for a moment, Merlyn saw her life flash before her eyes.

"Come in." Gaius answered. Merlyn held her breath as the person at the door walked in. It was Arthur. She couldn't look at him.

"I need to speak with Merlyn. In private." Gaius raised his brow at his ward, but nodded. Merlyn sighed and urged Arthur to follow her to her room. She closed the door behind them and slowly turned to Arthur, not looking him in the eyes.

"Merlyn," His voice was soft, not what she had imagined. "I know of your magic." Merlyn swallowed and waited for the yelling and guards bursting through her room. But it never came. She looked up at the prince and saw that he had a look of concern and slight betrayal.

"I-I'm sorry, please don't kill me." She whispered. Arthur almost laughed, but decided to chuckle instead. Merlyn looked at him as if he had grown two heads.

"I could never hurt you, Merlyn. I was just surprised. To be honest I saw your eyes flash gold when Valiant's snakes came from his shield." Merlyn released a breath she didn't know she was holding and collapsed on her bed. Arthur was slightly shocked, but when he heard her giggling, he knew she was alright.

"You have no idea how happy I am to hear that." She mumbled into her pillow. Arthur smiled and sat on the edge of her bed. He put his hand on her shoulder and Merlyn looked up at him.

"I will do my best to keep your secret save. In return, I would like to hear how you studied it and why." Arthur said. Merlyn smiled and before he could react, she hugged him. Arthur stiffened, but returned the hug after a couple seconds.

Merlyn couldn't be happier. Sadly, a High Priestess had other plans for her.