The Mark of Nimueh
The group crowded around the black box eating their food when the next show started.
The dark witch Nimueh is in a cave with a bowl of water which she has her hand over.
'Ic acennan eowic ac ic hredde eowic,' Nimueh enchanted.
'What did that mean?' Gwen asked thinking of her father.
'I give birth to you and I free you,' Merlin replied, 'and that was dark magic. Couldn't be anything but!' Merlin explained.
Nimueh places the magical egg into the water fountain where it travels through the underground waterways. Nimueh then begins to scry on Camelot, 'Diegol cnytte, gewitte me yst, aliese hine, to Camelot he cymþ,' she says.
'What does that mean?' Gaius wondered.
'Illuminate the darkness, let me see through the rough water, free him, he comes to Camelot,' Merlin replied. 'Good spell I can do it decently.'
'So not dark magic then,' Arthur muttered.
'It's just scrying,' Merlin shrugged.
In the Lower part of Camelot Merlin and Arthur are looking over a corpse on the street.
'Aren't you sacred?' Merlin questioned his mentor.
'Of what?' asked Gaius blankly.
'That you might catch whatever it is,' Merlin suggested.
'I'm the court physician, Merlin. This is part of my job. Most of the time there's nothing really to be scared of,' Gaius replied.
They turn over the face to see the white eyed and white skinned face.
'You were saying?' Merlin looked at the body.
'I could feel the dark magic on him,' said Merlin.
'People mustn't see this. They'll panic,' Gaius quickly covered the man's body with a white sheet.
In Gwen's house she and her father are getting ready for work.
'Father,' said Gwen softly.
'Dad, here's your sandwich,' smiled the girl.
'Ooh. Mmm, what's in it?' asked the smiling father.
'It's smoked pigeon. But I'd say there's more smoke than pigeon,' Gwen said apologetically.
Tom laughed, 'you're such a good girl to me.'
'And I've done you some watercress soup tonight,' added Gwen.
'Don't tell me, with more water in it than cress?' laughed Tom.
She laughs and the hug, 'I'll see you later.'
'OK. Bye,' Tom leaves.
Merlin and Gaius are wheeling the body over the drawbridge when Gwen approached with flowers.
'What are you doing?' Gwen asks.
'Er...just moving something,' Merlin hesitates.
'Looks heavy,' Gwen pointed out.
'Er, it's nothing really. Er...someone got you flowers?' Merlin noticed the flowers in his friend's arms.
'Oh! No.' She giggled, 'would you like one? A purple one. Purple suits you. Not that I'm saying red doesn't suit you,' Gwen got flustered.
'Thanks. Well, er...' he sticks it in his jacket.
'Aww,' Gwen smiles.
'Er...see you,' Merlin moves off.
'Bye,' Gwen leaves.
Gwen enters Morgana's chambers with the flowers.
'You look happy,' Morgana smiled at her maid.
'I picked these for you,' Gwen hands Morgana the flowers.
'Oh, that's so sweet,' smiled Morgana.
'Something to cheer you up. I know you're not sleeping well,' Gwen said sadly.
Gaius and Merlin shared a look.
'You cheer me up,' Morgana said.
'She used to be such a good friend,' said Gwen sadly.
'Would you like me to put them in water for you?' asked Gwen.
In Gaius' chambers Merlin and Gaius are looking at the body with a magnifying glass.
'I've never seen anything like this before,' Gaius frowned.
'Do you think it could be some kind of plague?' asked Merlin worried.
'Not as daft as you make out,' smiled Arthur.
'Well that's your father's fault,' pointed out Merlin shutting Arthur up.
'No. I fear that something like this could never come from nature. But who has this kind of power?' Gaius asked.
'You think it's caused by magic?' snapped Merlin.
'Merlin!' Arthur calls from outside the door.
Merlin hurriedly rushes to the door before Arthur can come in and see the body.
'Erm...I'm on my way. Sorry I'm late,' Merlin said.
'Don't worry. I'm getting used to it,' Arthur states then frowns when he see the flower on Merlin's coat.
Merlin looks down at it too, 'Oh, er...Gwen, she gave it to me,' Merlin explained with a grin.
'Tell Gaius my father wants to see him now,' Arthur orders.
'Okay,' Merlin shrugged closing the door
'Gaius...' Merlin starts.
'I heard,' Gaius said.
'Wait, why couldn't he just tell you himself?' asks Merlin.
Arthur rolled his eyes, 'you're my servant it's your job.'
'You're starting to sound like Gaius,' Merlin complained.
''Cause that's the way it is. You're a servant,' Gaius said.
'See,' Merlin says to his mentor and master.
'Wha...if he knew who I was, what I've done...' Merlin begins.
'You'd be dead,' said Sir Leon.
'Now you're starting to sounding like Gaius,' Merlin rolled his eyes.
'You'd be a dead servant.
'See,' grinned Merlin.
'Right, get this covered up,' Gaius tells Merlin.
'Hey, I'm not your servant,' complained Merlin.
'No, you're my dogsbody.
'So much better,' Merlin rolled his eyes grinning while everyone else laughed.
Come on, hurry up,' said Gaius impatiently.
In the council chamber Gaius examines a servant body lying dead on the floor because of Nimueh's curse.
'What's happened to him?' asked the king.
'I don't know, Sire. It's the second case I've seen today,' frowned Gaius.
'Why didn't you report it to me?' snapped Uther.
'I was attempting to find the cause,' Gaius began.
'What did you conclude?' questioned the king.
'I don't think it's time to hurry to conclusions. A scientific process is a long one,' Gaius replied.
'What are you concealing from me?' Uther asked his friend.
'He really knows you well,' Merlin said.
'Sire, I have seen nothing like it. The victims are dying in 24 hours, and it's spreading fast,' Gaius said grimly.
'What is the cause?' asked Uther.
'I think you should say that the cause, the most likely cause, is sorcery,' Gaius said grimly.
Uther pulls Arthur aside, 'We must find who did this.'
'Obviously,' Merlin rolled his eyes.
'I will, father,' Arthur says.
'Conduct door to door searches. Increase your presence in the town. Double the guards on all the gates. And lend the physician your servant,' says Arthur in a scared whisper.
'Merlin? But...' Arthur trails off.
'I'm going to 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,' said Uther.
'But not all magic is like that,' frowned Arthur.
'And a magical cure saved father…' Gwen trailed off. 'Merlin did you save me father's life?'
'I couldn't stand to watch you suffer,' said Merlin.
'Yes, father,' said Arthur assuredly.
Arthur and the guards are searching the town while Merlin and Gaius walk through the town. Merlin sees a sick man.
'Gaius? Gaius. He's still alive,' Merlin says urgently.
'I'm afraid there's nothing we can do for him,' Gaius said sadly.
'But we haven't tried,' Merlin said.
'If we don't know what a disease is, then how can we cure him?' asks Gaius.
'With magic,' said Merlin in a whisper.
'Have a look. They're suspicious of everyone,' Gaius said quietly. 'This is not the time to be using magic. Science will lead us to the source of the disease.'
'How many lives would be saved if magic wasn't against the law?' asked Arthur.
'Probably all of them,' said Merlin. 'Nimueh wouldn't have lashed out at Camelot if not for that.'
At Gaius' workbench he is heating up a vial of liquid.
'What are you doing?' asks Merlin.
'I'm examining the contents of that man's stomach,' replied Gaius.
'Will that tell you who did it?' asks Merlin.
'No, but it might tell us how it's spread. One thing I do know, this is magic of the darkest kind,' said Gaius sadly.
'I know I could feel it,' Merlin muttered.
'Why would someone use magic like that?' asked Merlin.
'Magic corrupts. People use it for their own ends,' said Gaius.
'You've been listening to Uther for too long,' said Huinith. 'Before the purge and magic users became so scared and bitter few people used it like that.'
'But not all magic is bad. I know it isn't,' said Merlin angrily.
'It's neither good nor bad. Its how you use it,' replied Gaius.
Arthur and his guards burst into their chambers, 'Over there,' he order his guards. 'Sorry Gaius, we're searching every room in town,' said Arthur apologetically to the old man.
'What for?' asked Gaius.
'A sorcerer,' replied Arthur.
'But why would he be here?' asked Gaius.
'Oh you know being the dogsbody,' smirked Merlin.
'I'm just doing my job,' replied Arthur apologetically.
'We've nothing to hide.
'Nothing at all,' laughed Gwaine.
'Go on, then. Search,' allowed Gaius.
'All these books and papers?' Arthur looked around the bookshelves.
'My life's work, dedicated to the understanding of science.
'And magic,' added in Merlin.
You are quite welcome to read through them if you wish,' Gaius invited Arthur.
'What's this room up here?' asks Arthur.
'Er, it's mine,' Merlin says.
'And what do you expect to find in there?' Gaius demands.
'I'm looking for material or evidence suggesting the use of enchantments,' Arthur replied.
'What've you done with the magic book I gave you?' whispers Gaius.
Merlin looks worried as Arthur enters his room.
'Merlin, come here. Look what I found,' Arthur calls to him.
Merlin looks scared as he ascends the staircase.
'I found a place where you can put things. It's called a cupboard,' said Arthur in his usual insulting manner.
'How would you know?' asks Merlin. 'You use your poor servants to put away all your stuff!'
Arthur spots the book and Merlin magically covers the book with the bed sheet as Arthur looks under the bed. Then deciding there's nothing there the prince leaves the warlock's chambers.
'How long do you think it may be before you find a cure?' asks Arthur.
'It depends on how many interruptions I get,' said Gaius pointedly.
'Of course, I'm sorry,' he apologizes to Gaius. 'We're finished here,' said Arthur to guards who exit.
Gaius closes the door, 'We have to hide that book.'
'No. We must use it,' Merlin said urgently.
'Don't be stupid,' snaps Gaius.
'If I have this legacy then what is it for? You keep telling me it's not for playing tricks,' Merlin points out.
'He has a point,' said Huinith.
'You want to practice magic when the King is hunting for sorcerers? Are you mad? Merlin, your life is destined for more important things,' Gaius said.
'But if I don't practice, then how will I get to be this great warlock?' Merlin points out.
'There will come a time when your skills will be recognised,' said Gaius softly.
'Like now,' smiled Gwen.
'When? How long do I have to wait?' said Merlin impatiently.
'Patience is a virtue, Merlin,' Gaius taught the boy.
'Sitting by and doing nothing, that's a virtue?' snapped Merlin.
'Your time will come,' Gaius said.
'I could cure that man we saw,' said Merlin.
'I know it's tempting to use the way you find easiest, Merlin...' began Gaius.
'It is when it would save a life,' Merlin interrupted.
'It's no good just saving one person. We have to discover how this illness is spreading,' Gaius explained.
'Arthur is out there right now looking for the sorcerer!' pointed out Merlin.
'Who isn't even in Camelot,' said Elyan.
'A sorcerer who's powerful enough to do this will never be found searching the town,' Gaius said sadly.
Merlin sighed, 'so what can we do?'
'Hope that science can find the answer before it kills us all,' Gaius sad glad that Merlin – for once – was listening to him.
Nimueh watches Camelot from her basin as a woman draws water from the basin. Arthur walks past the covered bodies lining the courtyard to report to his father.
'We searched everywhere, the entire city,' Arthur reports.
'Nothing?' asked Uther.
'I don't know where else to look,' replied Merlin.
'I want you to impose a curfew. No one is to be allowed onto the streets after the great bell,' Uther decides.
'Father?' Arthur asked.
'And cordon off the lower town,' Uther orders.
'Why?' asked Uther.
'Because that's where most of the victims are. Let's isolate it, stop this disease from spreading,' Uther says.
'That's not going to help,' sighed Gaius.
'What about the people who live there?' Arthur asked.
'Don't you think I haven't considered it? What else can I do? I have to protect the rest of the city,' Uther said.
'Incidentally the higher class of people,' muttered Gwaine.
Arthur bows to his father and exits.
Merlin and Gaius are in the physician's chamber examining yet another body.
'What's different about this victim?' asked Gaius.
'Er...she's a woman,' Merlin said.
'Sometimes I do wonder whether you're a magical talents were given to the right person. Anything else?' Gaius asks again.
'Erm...she's a courtier,' Merlin said.
'Ah,' this is the point that Gaius wants.
'How does that help us?' Merlin asks.
'Courtiers seldom go down to the lower town. So what does that mean?' asks Gaius.
'Erm...that, that she hasn't spoken to any townspeople,' Merlin suggests.
Gaius has a pained look on his face at Merlin's stupidity, 'Yes, it suggests that the disease is not spread by contact.'
'Oh, and they probably ate different food,' Merlin adds.
'Good. Anything else?' Gaius satisfied that Merlin is reaching the same conclusion Gaius has.
'Erm...I doubt they breathe the same air,' adds Merlin.
'So what's the only thing they do share?' asks Gaius.
Merlin thinks, 'water. Water? You think the disease is spread through water?'
'Merlin, you're a prodigy,' said Gaius when Merlin finally got there handing Merlin a bucket.
Merlin heads off to the water well.
Gwen has tied up her cloak just about to head out.
'It's time to get up, Dad. Dad?' Gwen has realised that Tom is not responding she turns him over.
'Gwen,' Tom slurred his face and eyes white. He too is ill.
Gwen panics; crying she rushes to castle. Merlin is carrying a pail of water when he notices his friend, 'Gwen? Gwen!' he shouts going after her with the bucket of water.
Gwen rushes into Gaius' chambers.
'Gwen!' Gaius seems surprised to see her there.
'Gaius,' she calls in pain.
'You have the sickness?' Gaius said.
Gwen shakes her head, 'My father! Please, Gaius, he's all I have.'
'Gwen, I have no cure,' said Gaius sadly.
'I am begging you!' Gwen begs.
'I wish there was something, anything, but so far the remedy is beyond what I can achieve,' Gaius sighed taking her by the hand. 'I'm sorry, Gwen.'
'You could have allowed Merlin to save him,' Gwen pointed out.
Gwen runs off.
'There must be something we can do,' Merlin says.
'My best. Let's hope that this can provide some answers,' Gaius snaps.
'But that'll be too late for Gwen's father,' Merlin points out.
Gwen whimpered Arthur put an arm around her. Elyan looked sad having not heard this tale. The siblings didn't like talking about their father is they could help it.
'I fear you may be right,' sighed Gaius putting a flower into a cup of water.
Merlin checks to see that Gaius is really sleeping before he sneaks off with his magic book going past the guards.
'What about over...in there?' one guard points.
'Certainly, sir,' said the junior guard.
They approach the spot where Merlin is hiding.
'Onstyrian, onbregdan,' Merlin whispers.
'What?' questioned Gwaine.
'Move here,' replied Merlin.
The door across the street opens and hits the younger guard in the face.
Gwaine bursts out laughing, 'you're going to have to teach me that.'
'I wouldn't do that,' said Merlin.
'Why not?' asked Arthur.
'To live with fear of being executed day in day out I'd never do that to someone who had a choice!' Merlin said.
Merlin is seen entering Gwen's home where Gwen and Tom are sleeping. He places the poltice under Tom's pillow with a whisper of, 'þu fornimst adl fram guman,' Merlin said from outside Gwen's.
'I know it's a healing spell but what does it mean?' asked Gwen.
'Remove sickness from this man,' replied Merlin.
Gwen nodded.
Tom awakes and touches Gwen's head who had fallen asleep tending to her father. Gwen wakes up at the touch.
'Father?' asks Gwen.
'Gwen,' smiles Tom.
'What's happened? I can't believe it!' said an overjoyed Gwen giving her father a huge hug.
More bodies are lain out in the square as Nimueh watches from her stone basin.
In the council chambers Arthur reaches for the glass vial with the tainted water and flower in it.
'Don't touch it,' Gaius warns. 'I had this in the water for no more than a few hours.'
'Where's the water from?' Uther asks.
'The pump from where the people take their daily supply,' replied Gaius.
'We have to stop the people from using it,' Arthur said.
'The city cannot survive without water,' Gaius points out.
'We have to find this sorcerer!' demands Uther.
'What happened to Nimueh?' asked Arthur. 'We haven't hear anything of her for years!'
'She's dead,' said Merlin a little bit sharply.
'How do you know?' asked Arthur.
'You don't want to see me in a bad mood,' replied Merlin.
'What?' asked Arthur.
'You killed her,' said Percival.
'Long story,' replied Merlin.
'I don't believe that they're inside Camelot,' said Arthur.
'Then extend the search to the villages!' Uther ordered.
'We've started, but I can't search the entire kingdom,' began Arthur.
'And I can't stand by and watch our people dying,' snapped the king.
Arthur nods and exits.
Merlin enters to see Gwen humming in Morgana's chambers as she tidies away the clothes.
'How's your father? Is he feeling better?' Merlin asks knowledgeably.
'I don't know how I didn't figure it out,' groaned Gwen.
'Yeah, it's incredible. It's a miracle,' said Gwen happily.
'Or magic,' smiled Percival.
'His skin's clear, back to normal?' asked Merlin.
'Yes,' grinned Gwen.
'Great,' said Merlin with his trademark grin.
'You don't seem surprised,' Gwen realised.
'No, no, I am. It's a miracle,' Merlin's eyes where twinkling with hidden knowledge.
'But how did you know he was well?' asked Gwen.
'Er...because you're smiling,' Merlin stuttered.
'That's really weird because I haven't told anyone, but you know. How could you know?' Gwen asked suspiciously.
'Yeah. Alright. You finally found out, I'll tell you.
'You knew and you never told me!' said Arthur hurt.
'Of course I didn't,' snapped Gwen.
Merlin swallows, 'I'm psychic. '
Gwen giggles, 'No you're not.'
'It's true,' Merlin claimed.
'Alright, what am I thinking?' asked Gwen.
'That I'm not psychic,' Merlin guesses.
Gwen giggles again, 'you're strange. I, I don't mean that in a nasty way. You're just funny. I like that.'
'Erm, er, I 'm pleased for you,' Merlin smiles.
'Thank you,' Gwen said.
'What for?' asks Merlin.
'Don't know, just for asking,' replied Gwen.
'I think subconsciously I knew it was Merlin,' Gwen said soflty.
'I didn't like to see you upset,' Merlin explains.
'Which is why you healed him,' said Gwen.
Merlin nodded.
I have to...get on.'
Merlin waves and Gwen waves back with a smile on her face at Merlin's retreating back
Tom is working at the forge with the townspeople watching him when Arthur and his guards approach.
'The story is you were sick,' Arthur confronts Tom.
'Not anymore,' said Tom pleasantly.
'Perhaps you were suffering from some other ailment?' questioned Arthur.
'Oh, you're joking. I felt like death itself, not enough strength in me to stir the air,' Tom shook his head.
'Then...what happened?' questioned Arthur.
'Oh, I don't know. Suddenly it was gone. I'm fitter than I was before,' Tom said.
'Really wonder why that was,' Merlin seemed genuinely surprised.
'Probably just your power,' shrugged Gaius.
'That's remarkable. Was anybody with you when all this happened?' Arthur asked.
'Just my daughter, Gwen,' Tom said.
Arthur leaves Tom to go back to his work. He takes his guards to search Gwen's house where they find a glowing poultice.
'I should have removed it,' sighed Merlin. 'Sorry.'
'Don't,' Gwen said, 'you saved Father's life!'
Gwen is humming in Morgana's chambers as she carries away a vase of dead flowers.
'Seize her,' Arthur ordered.
'Sorry,' Arthur and Merlin say together.
'You were doing your job, Arthur. And Merlin don't apologize for saving people's lives!' ordered Gwen.
'No,' Gwen cried.
'Guinevere, I'm arresting you for crimes and contraventions of the laws of Camelot,
'That are wrong,' muttered Merlin.
'I know said Arthur.
that you did practice enchantments,' Arthur finished.
Morgana too enters the room, 'Gwen?' Morgana rushes to see her maid being dragged away,
'But what have I done? I haven't done anything! Help me, please!' the maid begged.
Merlin opened his mouth but a look on Gwen's face quickly shut it again.
'What are you doing?' the lady demanded.
'I found a magic poultice in her house,' explained Arthur.
'Oh, that's ridiculous,' snapped Morgana.
'Then how else do you explain her father's recovery?' asked Arthur.
Merlin winced.
'Well, she's innocent! I know she's innocent,' Morgana said.
'What can I do? I can't turn a blind eye!' Arthur said leaving the room.
Morgana scoffed.
Arthur and the guards drag Gwen in front of her father.
'No, please. You've got to listen to me! Please, I haven't done anything wrong! You have to listen to me, please! I am innocent, I swear! Let me go! I swear to you!' begged Gwen.
'You know last time you almost got executed for being a sorceress you didn't beg,' said Merlin.
Gwen turns to see Merlin approaching her.
'Merlin! Merlin, please help me!' she begged Merlin before turning to the guards restraining her, 'why won't you listen to me?' she cried.
Merlin and Gaius enter there living quarters with Gaius slamming the door hard.
'What've you done?' Gaius demanded.
'What?' Merlin started.
'I warned you! Oh, I understand. You thought you were doing good,' snapped Gaius.
'I couldn't let her father die knowing I could cure him,' Merlin said.
'Didn't you think it might look a bit suspicious, the curing of one man?' asked Gaius.
'Well then, all I have to do is...I'll cure everyone! No one will ever have to know it was magic,' said Merlin desperately.
'It's too late! They think Gwen's a sorceress! They think she caused the disease!' Gaius explained.
'But she didn't!' Merlin rushed to leave.
'Oh, and how are you going to prove that?' snapped Gaius.
Merlin stops and frowns, a grim look on his usual innocent face.
In the council chambers Arthur appears before his father his guards dragging Gwen behind him.
'Please listen to me I have done nothing, please! I swear I haven't done anything!' Gwen says as the guards fling her onto the floor before the king.
'Well done,' Uther says to Arthur.
'Why will no one believe me? He got better, he just recovered. I didn't do anything!' sobs Gwen.
Morgana enters to Gwen's pleas. 'I believe you. Perhaps this is a disease that is not always fatal. Have you thought of that? Perhaps he recovered naturally,' Morgana pointed out.
'Unfortunately not,' said Gaius grimly.
'And what of this poultice that was found?' Uther questioned.
'What poultice? I don't know anything about a poultice!' Gwen stuttered.
Merlin winced.
'It was found in your house. Undo this enchantment. Put an end to this contagion,' the king commanded.
'I can't!' cried Gwen.
'I will show you no mercy,' the king said.
Merlin snorted, 'soon as you'd got what you wanted you'd kill her just like …' Merlin trailed off.
'Has father hurt you?' asked Arthur.
Merlin didn't reply not wanting to go into his father's tale.
'I am not a witch. I don't know how to stop the illness!' Gwen defended.
'If you will not undo your sorcery, you force my hand and I must find you guilty...' Uther decreed.
'But I told you, I...' Gwen began.
'It is therefore my duty to pronounce judgment. And under the circumstance I have no choice but to sentence you to death,' Uther sentenced.
'No!' cried Gwen.
'I can only hope that when you die, this evil plague dies with you,' Uther said.
'No! No!' Gwen begged.
'Take her away,' Uther commanded the guards who drag Gwen back out of the court room
'Please, no! I'm innocent! Please, please, no! Please help me! Please, I beg you! No!' Gwen cried as she was dragged away as Morgana watches.
The courtiers leave.
'I know Gwen, she's my maidservant, not an enchantress,' Morgana begged.
'What happened to her?' asked Gwen.
'Bitterness and the feeling that she couldn't be loved because of what she was,' said Merlin, 'and as much as I tried to stop it I just couldn't!'
'Have you ever seen an enchantress?' Uther snapped, 'believe me, they bear no sign, no mark. There is no sense of evil in the eye.'
Merlin rolled his eyes, 'the only sorceress you know personally was Nimueh and you killed her nine year old son – who didn't even possess magic – destroying her internally.'
Arthur was shocked at the anger which Merlin talked but was getting the picture of the way the magical population was treated.
'I've seen the way the girl works. Her fingers are worn, her nails are broken. If she was a sorceress, why would she do this?'
'Too keep up the appearance,' replied Merlin.
Why would she kneel on a cold stone floor morning after morning when she could make these things happen with a snap of her fingers? Like an idle king!' Morgana said.
'You have no right!' snarled the king.
'You have a right to cast a judgment on that girl!' retorted Morgana.
'They are far too alike,' said Merlin.
'I have a responsibility to take care of this kingdom! I take no pleasure in this!' Uther replied.
'But you're sentencing the wrong person!' begged Morgana.
'She's right, Father. You hear the word magic, you no longer listen,' Arthur argued back.
'Thanks,' said Merlin.
'It's what I've always believed,' shrugged Arthur, 'it's a never ending circle; father kills them, they look for revenge, he thinks there all evil, kills them and so on.'
'You saw it for yourself. She used enchantments,' Uther shouted.
'Yes, maybe. But to save her dying father, that doesn't make her guilty of creating a plague. One's the act of, of kindness, of love, the other of evil. I don't believe evil's in this girl's heart.' Arthur defended the future queen.
'I have witnessed what witchcraft can do. I have suffered at its hand.
'That was your own fault,' muttered Merlin too quietly for anyone without better hearing than average to hear.
I cannot take that chance. If there is the slightest doubt about this girl, she must die or the whole kingdom may perish,' Uther said.
'That is just wrong,' said Lancelot looking very tense at the fact that Gwen almost died.
'I understand that,' Arthur agreed.
'One day you may become King. Then you will understand. Such decisions must be made. There are dark forces that threaten this kingdom,' Uther said.
'But Gwen and magic aren't necessary one of them,' said Merlin.
'I know. Witchcraft is an evil, father. So is injustice. Yes, I am yet to be King, and I don't know what kind of king I will be, but I do have a sense of the kind of Camelot I would wish to live in. It would be where the punishment fits the crime,' Arthur said.
'Another piece of evidence that you are the Once and Future King,' said Merlin.
'I fear you're right. She's played with fire, and sadly she must die by fire,' decided Uther.
Morgana leaves and Arthur starts pacing the chamber.
Merlin and Gaius are in Gaius' chambers.
'I thought I was doing good and that curing Gwen's father would help her. I thought I was saving a life. It seemed so simple,' Merlin said sadly.
'An easy solution is like a light in a storm,
'Considering I can cause lightening that's not the greatest metaphor,' muttered Merlin.
Arthur raised his eyebrows and Merlin shrugged.
Merlin. Rush for it at your peril, for it may not always lead you to a safe harbour,' said Gaius.
'I can see that now,' said Merlin quietly.
'How many times have I warned you about the responsibilities of being a warlock?' scolded Gaius.
'Now's not the time for a scolding,' sighed Huinith, 'he understands he made a mistake but it was for the right reason. And he's upset what he needs is comfort.'
'I must see her,' Merlin decided getting up and leaving. He passes Morgana who was crying on her way back from seeing Gwen.
'Gwen,' Merlin whispers to Gwen who was lying facing the wall of her cell.
Gwen turns around to see him and tries to get to the cell but the chains restrict her. Merlin sees she's been crying.
'If she was an evil sorcerer powerful enough to cause the plague she would be out of the cell by now,' snorted Merlin.
'But you've been in the cells often enough,' pointed out Arthur.
Merlin gave Arthur a look between amused, pitying, and not wanting to hurt his feelings, 'I let you,' he replied.
'Thank you,' said Gwen softly.
'What for?' asks Merlin.
'For coming to see me,' Gwen says.
'You think he wouldn't?' asked Huinith.
'We'd know each other less than a month and I'd been accused of being an evil sorcerer,' said Gwen.
'I know you,' said Merlin.
'And you were busy helping Gaius,' reminded Gwen.
Merlin nodded.
'I'm sorry,' Merlin looked pained.
'It's not your fault,' Gwen assured him.
'It really wasn't; you saved my father's life,' smiled Gwen.
'Well...' Merlin trailed off.
'It's alright.
'No its not,' said Huinith, 'even if you had used magic to save your dying father you shouldn't be sentenced to death for it!'
Don't worry about me. There's no point crying about it. I mean...I mean, I'm not saying that you were going to cry about me.
'Of course he would you know Merlin he's a big girl,' smirked Arthur and move instantly lightened.
Obviously I don't think that,' Gwen assured him.
'Oh, Gwen,' sighed Merlin. 'I can't have this happen.'
'Please, one thing. You, you don't have to, but...' Gwen stopped.
'What?' asked Merlin.
'Remember me,' the girl asked.
'You're not going to die. I'm not going to let this happen,' said Merlin a determined look on his face. Merlin runs off.
'This is when you admitted to being a sorcerer,' said Arthur.
'He's not even a sorcerer,' smiled Huinith. 'He's a warlock,' she smiled at her son.
In the council chambers Uther is talking to his advisors including Gaius.
'What if burning this witch doesn't stop the poison? How do I protect my people? My men have closed down the water pumps,' Uther was saying.
'But the emergency supply won't last for much longer. We have to find a way of cleansing the water of the disease,' Gaius offered.
'But how?' asked Uther.
'Well...' Gaius was obviously unclear.
The doors suddenly open and Merlin comes bursting in.
'Nothing like a dramatic entrance Warlock,' laughed Gwaine.
'Well it's me I'm nothing if not dramatic,' smiled Merlin.
'I don't want to know,' said Huinith.
'It was me! It was me who used magic to cure Gwen's father!' Merlin announced to court as a whole.
'See I did tell you the truth – once,' Merlin grinned at Arthur.
The council stares as Merlin as if he were mad.
'Gwen is not the sorcerer. I am!' Merlin proclaimed once again.
'Never, ever give up your life for me,' Gwen shouted.
Gaius stood up, 'Merlin! Are you mad?' Gaius hisses.
'I cannot let her die for me,' Merlin addresses Uther. 'I place myself at your mercy.'
'Not a safe place for anyone,' muttered Gwen thinking of her father.
'He doesn't know what he's talking about,' Gaius said.
'Just make me seem mad why don't you,' Merlin rolled his eyes.
'You are mad,' said Gwaine.
'I do,' Merlin said confidently.
'Then arrest him,' ordered Uther.
'I could easily brake out of there,' Merlin rolled his eyes.
'Father, please! I can't allow this! This is madness! There's no way Merlin is a sorcerer,' said Arthur with confidence.
Arthur buried his face in his hands embarrassed, 'nah a warlock,' laughed Merlin.
'Did you not hear him?' Uther questioned.
'Yes,' agreed Arthur.
'He admitted it,' Uther pointed out.
'He saved my life, remember,' Arthur reminded his father.
'Several times,' said Merlin.
'Why should he fabricate such a story,' asked Uther.
'As Gaius said, he's got a...grave mental disease,' Arthur stuttered.
'Very believable,' muttered Elyan.
'Really?' Uther didn't look like he believed.
'He's in love,' said Arthur suddenly.
'What?' asked Merlin in shock.
'With Gwen,' he said.
'That's believable Gwen's a very pretty lady,' said Gwaine earning glares from Arthur, Lancelot, and Elyan.
Uther grinned at his son's statement.
'That's something I never thought I'd see Uther grinning at me when I announced that I have magic,' said Merlin.
'I am not,' said an embarrassed Merlin.
'You better not be,' threatened Arthur.
'I've only been in love with one girl and she wasn't a maid,' replied Merlin.
'Oh who?' said Gwaine, 'do I get to meet her?'
Merlin's eyes hardened, 'she's dead,' snapped the warlock a gust of wind surrounding him.
'Oh Merlin,' murmured Huinith putting an arm around the boy's shoulder.
Arthur looked jealous of the mother-son interaction.
'Yes, you are,' Arthur decided.
'No way,' said Merlin.
'Thanks,' muttered Gwen.
'You're more of a sister,' said Merlin.
'I've already got one brother,' said Gwen throwing a glance at her brother.
'I saw yesterday with that flower she'd given you,' Arthur reminded him.
'I'm not in love with her,' said Merlin angrily.
Arthur puts an arm around his servant.
'I'm surprised your father didn't say anything at the interaction of supposed master and servant,' said Sir Leon.
'I think the idea of being friends with a servant is such a foreign idea to my father that it didn't even cross his mind,' said Arthur.
'It's alright. You can admit it,' Arthur assured his servant in a brotherly fashion.
'I don't even think of her like that!' Merlin defended himself once again.
'Perhaps she cast a spell on you,' Uther said.
Arthur's smile died instantly and Arthur and Merlin shared a worried look before Uther cracked a smile at Merlin's expense. The other council members join in with the king's laughter.
'Merlin is a wonder, but the wonder is that he's such an idiot. There's no way he's a sorcerer,' said Arthur.
'Well that's that idea out of the picture,' Arthur said looking embarrassed.
'Don't waste my time again. Let him go,' Uther ordered.
'You must be the first sorcerer to be let go by father,' said Arthur.
Merlin nodded sadly.
Merlin and Gaius have returned to Gaius' chambers where Gaius is berating Merlin for announcing to everyone that he was a sorcerer.
'Arthur's the idiot,' Merlin said decidedly.
'Oi I just saved your life,' said Arthur.
'No. He was right to do what he did. And, thankfully, he saved you from your own stupidity,' Gaius said.
'What else could I do? It's my fault Gwen's going to die,' Merlin protested.
'I thought we went over this. It. Was. Not. Your. Fault.' Gwen groaned.
'Well it was,' Gaius said.
'Yes, but you don't prove her innocence by offering to jump into the flames. You do it by finding out what's causing the disease!' Gaius instructed.
'He's right,' said Arthur.
'Well, whatever it is, one thing's for sure: Arthur isn't going to find it. He thinks he is so sharp! But even when I told him I was a wizard, he still couldn't see it,' Merlin pointed out.
'Sometimes they're pretty hard to spot,' Gaius said knowledgably.
'That's because we're all human so you can't tell which is which because there's no difference but the magic that you are either born with or learn,' said Merlin.
'Well, maybe I should go around wearing a pointy hat,' suggested Merlin.
'I don't think you'll find one big enough. Anyway, forget that. If we're going to save Gwen, we have to find out what's contaminating the water,' Gaius said.
Gaius and Merlin head to the underground water supply all the time watched by Nimueh.
'The water from here supplies the whole town. Take a sample,' Gaius told Merlin. Merlin puts the bottle in the water and takes a sample, 'Let's take it back and examine it.'
That was when the large brown Afanc reared up.
'That was the Afanc?' said Gwen shakily.
'Let's go and fight it,' laughed Gwaine.
'I aready killed it,' said Arthur.
'We,' muttered Merlin.
'Well we Merlin can make another one,' said Gwaine.
'I am not under any circumstances using dark magic!' Merlin glared at Gwaine in the way that he could when he wanted to get his point across with power and fury which made even the bravest knights (Arthur) or stupidest (Gwaine) back down.
'What the hell was that?' asks Merlin shakily as Gaius takes Merlin by the arm and steers him away.
'Good get him out of there,' said Huinith.
'Scared of the nasty Afanc, are we Merlin,' said Arthur.
'Arthur,' said Gwen warningly.
'More the fact that it reeked of dark magic,' murmured Merlin.
'You can sense it?' asked Gwen.
'Always and it will always feel wrong,' said Merlin.
Back in Gaius' chambers Merlin and Gaius are poring over an open book.
'Here. It was an Afanc,' Gaius was saying.
'An...a what?' Merlin had never heard of such a creature.
'A beast born of clay, and conjured up only by the most powerful sorcerer.
'Could you-?' Arthur began.
'Probably but I've never tried,' said Merlin, 'and no Gwaine I will not conjure up dark magic because its better not to play with stuff you don't understand! That's what got us into this situation in the first place!'
Only Gaius understood his meaning there.
Now we have to find a way to defeat it. But where?' Gaius looked at his bookshelves.
'You know I know some of those books of by heart,' muttered Merlin.
'That could take days. Gwen'll be dead by then,' said Merlin.
'How did you find out so quickly?' asked Arthur.
'I've got friends in low places,' said Merlin cryptically.
'Have you got a better idea?' Gaius questions him.
Merlin runs off seeing Gwen lying on the floor not facing her pyre, 'Gwen? I'm going to get you out. I will,' he whisperers when Gwen doesn't turn around he leaves.
Merlin re-enters the dragon's cave.
'Hello?' Merlin calls out.
'Hello,' the Great Dragon responds to the little boy. 'The great warlock returns, as I knew he would.'
'Does he ever call you by your name?' asks Lancelot.
'No – it's already young warlock or Great warlock or something. Wait before we met he called me Merlin to get my attention,' Merlin remembered.
'I need to know how to defeat an Afanc,' Merlin told the dragon.
'Yes, I suppose you do,' agreed the dragon.
'Will you help me?' asked Merlin.
'Trust the elements that are at your command,' replied the dragon ever the riddle master.
'Could he be any more cryptic?' complained Arthur.
'That's Kilgharrah for you,' smirked Merlin.
'What does he mean anyway?' asked Elyan.
Merlin sighed, 'forbane,' and a flame appeared in his hands. He waved his hands and a wind came forth followed by water surrounding him and finally when he jumped off his seat the sound of the earth rumbling beneath them was heard. 'I control the elements.'
'Elements? But what is it I have to do?' said Merlin sounding frustrated.
'You cannot do this alone. You are but one side of a coin. Arthur is the other,' Kilgharrah advised Merlin.
'I, I don't understand. Just tell me what it is I have to do,' pleaded Merlin.
Kilgharrah flew off having imparted his advice.
'No! Please, help me!' Merlin begged.
Kilgharrah laughed, 'I have.'
'Oh, yeah, right. Thanks,' said Merlin sarcastically.
Arthur enters the council chambers where he meets his father, 'Have you found anything more?' the king asked his son.
'I've tried. I can keep looking,' Arthur responds.
'People are dying, we can't delay any longer. We must kill the witch.
'He sounds like Kilgharrah,' muttered Merlin.
'What?' asked Gwen.
Merlin shook his head mind on his enemy.
Bring her execution forward to tonight,' decided the king.
Arthur bows his head and leaves his father.
Merlin is frantically searching through the books.
'Merlin, what are you doing?' Gaius demands.
'Looking for a book,' Merlin stated.
'Obviously,' said Arthur drily.
'You going to tell me which one?' asks Gaius.
'A book on elements,' explains Merlin.
'Elements?' Gaius questions.
'Yes. Which one would I find them in?' Merlin asks.
'Well, most of them. The study of base elements is at the very heart of the scientific process,' explained Gaius.
'But how would they help me kill the Afanc?' Merlin asked.
'Well, the Afanc is a creature made from earth and water. That's two of the four base elements,' Gaius explained.
'What about the other two?' Merlin asked.
'Well, perhaps they will destroy it. You want fire. Wind and fire. How did you find this out?' Gaius questions.
'Erm...I just knew, you know? One of my powers,' Merlin lies.
'Did you actually believe him?' asked Huinith.
'I suspected he and The Great Dragon where talking they're both creatures of old magic – kin if you like,' explained Gaius.
'What else do your powers tell you?' Gaius asked.
'That I am only one side of a coin. The brighter side, obviously,' Merlin grinned.
'And who's the other side?' Gaius looked like he already knew.
'I think that might be Arthur,' said a disgruntled warlock.
'They're bringing forward the execution. We have to prove Gwen's innocence,' Morgana rushed into the room.
Everyone sighed, 'okay what's the problem with this Morgana?' asks Huinith the only one who wasn't there to see what Morgana became, 'every time she appears you all become sad or angry.'
'She has magic,' said Merlin.
'So do you,' Huinith reminded him.
'Morgana didn't use them for good,' said Gaius.
'What happened?' asked Huinith.
'She took over Camelot,' growled Arthur looking hurt.
'We're trying,' Gaius said.
'Please, just tell me what I can do to help,' Morgana said.
'She doesn't seem too bad,' said Huinith.
'She was driven over the edge by Uther's hatred of our kind,' said Merlin. 'I tried to stop it but I couldn't stop her.'
'We need Arthur,' Merlin told Morgana.
'Arthur?' asked Morgana.
'There's a monster, an Afanc, in the water supply. That's what's causing the plague,' said Merlin.
'Well, we must tell Uther,' Morgana said.
'The Afanc's a creature forged by magic. Telling Uther wouldn't save Gwen. He'd just blame her for conjuring it,' said Gaius.
'So what are we to do?' Morgana asked.
'We need to destroy it. Then the plague will stop and Uther may see sense,' Merlin said.
'Not likely,' muttered Gaius.
'And that's why you need Arthur,' Morgana understood.
'He's our best chance. But he won't want to disobey the King,' Merlin said.
'Leave that to me,' Morgana left Merlin to see Arthur.
Gaius hands Merlin the keys to the water supply tunnels.
Morgana is waiting for Arthur when he enters his own chambers.
'You alright?' Arthur asks kindly. 'Sorry about all this,' Arthur indicates the mess on the table. 'Merlin's not been in today.'
'Poor Merlin,' said Morgana sympathetically.
'Yeah,' agreed Arthur.
'To offer to give up his life to save Gwen's. I certainly can't imagine any man loving me so much,' Morgana said.
'No, I certainly can't imagine that either,' agreed Arthur.
Morgana smirked at her brother, 'That's because you're not like Merlin. He's a lover.'
'Yeah right,' laughed Arthur.
'Well I was going to run away with Freya,' admitted Merlin.
Gaius looked surprised he hadn't heard this.
'What happened to her?' asked Arthur.
Merlin shook his head.
'Yeah, maybe that's because I haven't found the right person to love,' Arthur told her.
'I have now,' Arthur went goo-goo eyed at Gwen.
Lancelot looked away, 'would you stop making eyes at my sister for once!' demanded Elyan getting uncomfortable.
'Sadly the age of gallantry seems to be dead. You look around and all you see are small men, not big enough to fill their armour. There's not one of them that's able to stand up for what is right.'
Arthur smirked at the manipulative young woman before him.
'She was manipulative even then,' murmured Merlin.
'I think there was always a vindictive streak in her,' sighed Gaius, 'but she put it to good use.'
'What do you want me to do?' Arthur asks.
Morgana and Arthur meet Merlin in the courtyard. Arthur draws his sword as they open the door. Soon as they're in the tunnels Arthur lights a torch.
'You'd better be right about this, Merlin,' Arthur threatens.
'Not scared are you?' smirked Merlin.
They hear a low growl that causes Morgana to gasp.
'You should stay here,' Arthur tells her.
'I'm coming with you,' Morgana tells him.
'No,' said Arthur.
'Scared I'll show you up?' Morgana smirks.
'Father will slam us both in chains if he knew I'd endangered you,' Arthur tells her.
'Well good thing he doesn't know about it then,' Morgana laughed.
'I'm telling you, Morgana, turn back. You could get hurt,' Arthur was being gallant as always.
'You could too...if you don't get out of my way,' Morgana threatens.
'When did her fake threats become real?' asked Arthur.
Merlin looks amused at the display of sibling rivalry. Arthur rolls his eyes but doesn't protest any further.
'How are we going to find it?' asked Morgana.
'I just hope we do before it finds us,' Merlin says.
Everyone groaned, 'you just had to go and jinx it,' groaned Percival.
Arthur spins around, 'Stop.'
'What?' Merlin asks.
'It's just a shadow,' Arthur decides.
'Somehow I don't think so,' muttered Percival.
The trio keep moving. The Afanc creeps up behind them as they reach the water source.
'Spread out,' Arthur orders the other two. The three of them split up.
Arthur hears a growl and the Afanc swipes at him from behind. Morgana rushes up to help him, 'What is it? Are you alright?'
'Yeah,' Arthur said.
'Did you see it?' Merlin demanded.
'Yes,' agreed Arthur.
'What did it look like?' asks Merlin.
'It, it's quick,' stuttered Arthur.
'Really?' Princess your powers of observation amaze me,' drawled Gwaine. 'I don't know how we ever got on without you!'
The Afanc comes up in front of them and Morgana screams in fear. Arthur goes for it but once again it blends into the shadows.
'Where is it?' Arthur shouted.
'I think it's gone this way!' Merlin points the direction.
They continue on down the tunnels. The Afanc creeps out of his corner into full view. Arthur swings at it in the process loosing his sword. It swipes away Morgana's torch. Arthur, meanwhile, is circling it with his own sword.
'Arthur, use the torch!' Merlin ordered his master. Arthur swings the torch again.
'Lyfte ic þe in balwen ac forhienan,' Merlin yells a spell causing the flame of Arthur's torch to blow into the Afanc; it was incinerated.
'So it was you, again,' said Arthur, 'I wonder if any of my deeds was really me?' said Arthur is pride damaged.
'What did it mean?' asked Elyan.
'You are air in fire's heat but defeat the hostile one,' Merlin translated easily.
Nimueh is watching in her stone basin. 'Merlin. Mah!' says the witch angrily splashing the water in her temper.
'What is it about me angering evil sorceresses?' asked Merlin.
Uther is in the council chamber laughing with some of his council members, 'It's very good.'
'Good news, Sire. There are no new deaths, and those that are sick are recovering,' Gaius informed him.
'Good. Strange, I've never heard of an Afanc before,' noted Uther.
'It's conjured from clay by powerful magic. The type that can only be invoked by an ancient sorcerer. One that has the power to mirror the spirit of life. I found this at the water source,' Gaius was holding part of the egg shell that the Afanc had come from.
'It bears the mark of Nimueh. We must be vigilant, Sire,' said Gaius.
'Will I never be rid of her?' asked a frustrated king.
'Well you did betray her,' muttered Merlin.
'Sire,' Gaius asked.
'Leave me!' Uther ordered when everyone leaves the king mopes on his throne.
In the dungeons the guards open Gwen's cell allowing Gwen's father, Merlin and Morgana to enter.
'Dad!' cried Gwen hugging her father.
'Oh, my little child!' Tom says smiling at the fact his daughter is now free.
Gwen reaches up to grasp Morgana's hand, 'Thank you!'
'Don't thank me. It was more Merlin,' Morgana smiles.
'Really?' asked Gwen astonished.
'He's the real hero here,' smiled Merlin.
'I don't know what to say,' Gwen smiles.
Merlin shrugs, 'I didn't do anything.'
Everyone was giving Merlin incredulous looks, 'I don't want attention,' muttered Merlin.
'I'm- I'm grateful to you all. Come on, Gwen,' Tom takes and Gwen and leaves.
'Merlin. I wanted you to know, your secret's safe with me,' Morgana said.
'Wait she knows?' asked Arthur.
'No,' said Merlin.
'My secret?' said Merlin in surprise.
'Merlin, don't pretend. I know what you did,' Morgana said.
'You do?' Merlin asked.
'I saw it with my own eyes,' confirmed Morgana.
'You did?' asked Merlin weakly.
'I understand why you don't anyone to know,' Morgana agreed.
'Well, obviously,' Merlin rolled his eyes.
'But I won't tell anyone. You don't mind me talking to you about it?' asked Morgana.
'Er...no. I- I, it's, er...you have no idea how hard it is to keep this hidden,' Merlin said frustrated.
'Well, you can continue to deny it, but I think Gwen's a very lucky woman,' Morgana said.
'She thought you had feeling for me,' laughed Gwen.
'I know,' agreed Merlin.
'Gwen?' Merlin asked blankly.
Morgana puts her finger to her lips, 'it's our secret,' Morgana smiles leaving Merlin alone in the cell.
Merlin sighed sadly.
'Why did you sigh?' asked Arthur.
'I was lonely I was scared to tell anyone but I wanted someone my own age to talk about it with,' explained Merlin.
Merlin and Gaius are back eating dinner in Gaius' chambers.
'This fish didn't come from the water, did it?' Merlin asked worried.
'Well, where else is it going to come from? The water's fine now. That's not your worry. This is the work of a very powerful sorcerer. I only hope you didn't come to her attention,' Gaius said.
'I did,' said Merlin sadly.
'The poisoning?' asked Arthur.
Merlin nodded.
Huinith groaned; what now?
'Doubt it. Well no one else seems to appreciate my skills. I just want someone to see me for who I am,' said Merlin sadly.
'One day, Merlin. One day,' Gaius assured him.
'One day what?' Merlin questioned.
'One day people won't believe what an idiot you were,' Gaius shook his head fondly.
'Thanks,' Merlin grins.
All this time Nimueh has been watching from her stone basin, 'Merlin, you will pay for this.'