The Gates of Avalon

Merlin once again appeared.

'In a land of myth and a time of magic the destiny of a great kingdom will rest on the shoulders of a young boy,' Kilgharrah once again intoned.

'I'm aware,' said Merlin drily.

'His name Merlin.'

Merlin's eyes flared gold. In golden light Arthur was under water obviously drowning.

'That never happened,' said Arthur.

'That you know of,' muttered Merlin.

'What?' Arthur demanded.

'I'm sure you'll find out soon,' said Gaius quickly.

'How many times are you going to almost die,' groaned Gwen.

'Just to have Merlin save him,' smiled Lancelot.

Merlin grinned back, 'just doing my job.'

A woman was standing with her hand over him.

'Sofia,' said Arthur in shock.

Then Morgana woke up her eyes wide in fear, 'Arthur,' she whispered.

'She saw that?' murmured Percival.

Merlin nodded, 'seer,' he said. At the others blank looks he elaborated, 'she can see the future.'

'Arthur,' she whispered again.

The subtitles came on again and only ended when Arthur was in the undergrowth a crossbow in hand. Merlin ran into him, 'what is it?' he whispered loudly.

Arthur looked somewhere between annoyed and furious.

'You really are a complete idiot, Merlin?' snapped Arthur.

'What I was just asking,' Merlin defended himself.

'Who me or the deer?' Arthur growled.

Everyone laughed.

'The deer,' said Merlin.

Arthur glared at Merlin.

'What I hate hunting for sport,' Merlin said. 'For food fine but you don't need to hunt for food the kitchens are full.'

'It's called hunting it requires speed,

'I've ran far to save you,' Merlin grinned, 'and your father,' he muttered regretfully.

stealth,

'Do you think I'd have survived this long without stealth,' Merlin raised an eyebrow.

and mental agility.'

'So you get by on two out of three,' Merlin muttered.

Everyone laughed again.

The sound of screams reached the two men.

'What was that?' Merlin asked worried.

'Someone's in trouble,' muttered Lancleot.

'Yeah they were,' frowned Arthur.

'That's what you thought,' muttered Merlin.

Arthur raised an eyebrow but Merlin shrugged,

'Quiet,' hissed Arthur.

They run into an old man and a girl who are being attacked by bandits.

'Please have mercy,' the old man shouts.

'Help,' cried the girl, 'please help,' she cries again.

Arthur runs in and starts fighting. Merlin runs in behind him and looks around spotting a branch above one of the bandits.

'Forbærne firgenholt,' Merlin muttered.

'What does that mean?' asked Arthur.

'Mountain wood, burn' replied Merlin.

Arthur nodded.

The bandit is crushed by the fallen branch. After the banditts had retreated Arthur looked at the fallen man, 'stroke of luck.'

'No,' laughed Percival, 'it was Merlin.'

'This happens a lot,' muttered Arthur.

Merlin grinned.

'But why with father…'

'The son shouldn't be punished for the sins of his father,' Merlin said.

'Wise Merlin,' muttered Arthur.

'Your smarter than you act,' said Percival.

'To avoid suspicion,' Merlin rolled his eyes.

'Let that be a lesson to you!' Merlin shouted at the retreating bandits, 'and never come back!'

Arthur gave Merlin a look before he went over to the father and daughter.

'Are you okay?' Arthur asked the girl.

'I am now thanks to you,' the girl lowered the hood of her golden cloak revealing the same girl from Morgana's dream,

'Isn't that the girl from Morgana's dream?' asked Leon.

Merlin nodded.

'More happened than I'm aware of,' stated Arthur.

Again Merlin nodded.

Huinith nodded, 'what now,' she groaned.

Merlin grinned. Gaius rolled her eyes.

'She's gorgeous though,' said Gwaine.

'She's evil and dead,' retorted Merlin.

'How?' asked Arthur.

'You'll see,' said Merlin annoyingly.

'I am Sophia,' said the girl.

'Arthur,' replied Arthur.

In the court room Sophia and her father appear in front of the king.

'I'm Alfuric of Tir Mor this is my daughter, Sophia,'

'You're along way from home,' the king interrupts.

'You have no idea,' muttered Merlin.

'What brings you to Camelot?' interrogates the king.

'Our home was ransacked by raiders,' Alfuric responds. 'We barely got out with the few possessions we could carry.'

'These are dangerous times,' agreed Uther.

'Especially with those two here,' muttered Merlin.

'What will you do?' asked Uther.

'We'll travel west where we have family and we hope a new life,'

Sophia smiles at the king.

'Stay awhile,' Uther asks. 'Break your journey; a noble family like yours is always welcome in Camelot.'

Sophia and Alfuric leave.

In Arthur's chambers Arthur and Merlin were talking.

'Put her in a decent room,' Arthur instructed his servant.

'The one next door's free,' said Merlin.

'The one next door's fine,' Arthur agreed. 'Excellent in fact.'

'I'll bet,' laughed Gwaine.

Gwen frowned.

And Merlin laughed.

Merlin was grinning knowingly.

'Shut up Merlin,' Arthur said.

'What? I didn't say anything,' Merlin defended himself.

'You didn't have to,' Arthur snapped. 'I want to make it quite clear that my intentions to Sophia are strictly honourable… put her in a room on the opposite side of the castle, its warmer more comfortable.'

'She's very pretty,' Merlin said.

'And if your intentions are honourable,' Merlin said.

'Oh most definitely,' Arthur assure his friend.

'Then what's the problem with her staying next door?' asked Merlin.

Arthur thought, 'there's not. You've convinced me put her in the room next door.'

Arthur avoided Merlin's grin.

In the corridor Merlin was carrying Sophia's things.

'And if you need anything just ask,' Merlin was saying.

'Thank you,' Sophia said.

Just as Sophia turned to leave Morgana in a flowing dress of silky, dark blue walked in she saw Sophia and froze. After Sophia left Morgana walked up to Merlin.

'Who was that?' she asked.

'Guest of the king; we rescued her

Merlin snorted.

well Arthur did most of the rescuing,' admitted Merlin.

'That's not true,' said Huinith.

'I couldn't exactly go around shouting about my magic,' Huinith's son reminded her.

'She can't stay here,' snapped Morgana imperiously.

'The king said she and her father are welcome in Camelot,' Merlin said warily. 'Is everything okay?' asked Merlin.

'Yes,' Morgana gave a fake smile.

Morgana walked off.

Gaius is in his laboratory with a glass phial under a burner when Morgana walks in, 'Gaius, I'm not interrupting.'

'Of course not my child,' Gaius said. 'My favourite patient is always welcome.'

'Not so much now,' muttered Merlin.

'She's hardly my favourite patient any more,' Gaius reminded him.

Morgana looked at his bench.

'Sorry about the mess,' Gaius said. 'Most of its Merlin's

'Why does everyone always blame me?' asked Merlin.

'Because you never react to it,' said Arthur.

'That's what you think,' grinned Merlin.

Arthur raised his eyebrow.

Merlin just grinned.

I would have cleaned up if I'd known you were coming.'

'It's not just your bench is on fire,' Morgana explained said.

'My bench is on fire,' Gaius nods not taking it on. 'My bench is on fire!' it finally sank in.

Gaius uses tongs to pick up the fireball. Morgana picks up the bucket of water, 'here,' she said quickly.

Gaius placed the fire in the bucket, 'you're always getting me into trouble. Now what brings you to this dark corner?'

'I had another dream,' admitted Morgana.

'I see,' said Gaius grimly.

'I saw Arthur lying under water drowning,' Morgana said in a shaky voice. 'And I saw a woman standing over him watching him die. And she's in Camelot.'

'The mind plays tricks,' Gaius said. 'It borrows from everyday life and plays out its own fantasies.'

'But I had this dream before she came to Camelot,' Morgana cried.

'Magic,' said Arthur grimly.

Merlin nodded.

'I always thought she'd learned magic not been born with it,' Gwen said.

'Did she know about you?' asked Elion.

Merlin shook his head, 'I got bad advice,' he admitted. 'I should have told her.'

'Are sure you weren't mistaken?' Gaius shook his head.

'I know what I saw,' Morgana insisted. 'I saw him die… she's going to kill him, Gaius.'

'Not on my watch,' Merlin's eyes flashed gold.

'These are just dreams,' Gaius placed his hands on Morgana shoulders. 'Morgana, nothing more. Are you taking the sleeping draught I made for you?'

Morgana shook her head, 'it doesn't work.'

'Here,' Gaius handed Morgana a vial of blue potion. 'This will induce a deeper sleep.'

'Thank you, Gaius,' Morgana said.

Gaius gave Morgana a kiss on the cheek and Morgana is walking out but at the door but Gaius stopped her.

'And Morgana don't bother the king about this,' Gaius said.

'In other words don't tell the king who'd have you executed that you have dreams about the future,' Hermione said.

Morgana nods.

In the middle of a forest the last bandit was sitting when Alfuric appears he pulls out his sword.

'You can disperse with the un-pleasantries,' suggests the old man. 'I've brought your pay.'

'I want more my friends are dead because of you,' the bandit said.

'Yes I'm sorry such a dreadful waste of life,' Alfuric agrees. 'If it's any constellation you'll be seeing them again soon. Marouf kino toyno,' the man said eyes flashing red as the bandit dies.

'What does that mean?' asked Arthur.

Merlin shrugged, 'I don't know Sidhe magic.'

'Oh there are different kinds of magic?' asked Arthur.

Merlin nodded.

Back in Camelot Morgana is having the same nightmare of Arthur drowning.

There were shudders at this.

She wakes as the dawn breaks over Camelot. In Arthur's chamber Merlin is making the bed.

'I'm taking Sophia out for a ride today,' Arthur informed his servant.

'And where do I come into this?' asked Merlin while plumping the pillows.

'I'm supposed to be on patrol with my father and the knights and I want you to cover for me,' said the prince.

'Skipping duties,' chuckled Gwaine. 'And you can't get me in trouble anymore!'

'I'm your regent,' retorted Arthur.

'What and lie to the king?' Merlin asked.

Merlin got a lot raised eyebrows at this, 'like you don't do that enough, anyway,' laughed Lancelot.

Merlin grinned.

'No way, no way. He'll see right through me. He'll have me in the stocks quicker than you can say rotten tomatoes,' Merlin stopped his work.

'Merlin you like the stocks,' laughed Leon.

Merlin grinned.

'Is he mad?' asked Elyon.

'Yes,' said Arthur, Gwen, Gaius, Lancelot, and Huinith together.

'Merlin,' Arthur stopped Merlin's talk. 'I need you do this for me.'

'I'm a terrible liar,' Merlin said with a sigh.

More raised eyebrows.

'Again I pretend to be,' said Merlin.

'How much of you is an act,' asked Arthur.

'In front of your father I do act clumsier because I'm nervous and I act on this for everyone,' admitted Merlin.

Arthur nodded.

'I start sweating, my vision goes, my brain stops working.'

'No change there then,' Arthur said.

'Arthur if you're trying to get someone to help you then you really shouldn't do so by insulting them,' Gwen suggested.

Arthur blushed, 'I'll keep that I mind,' muttered the prince.

They chuckled.

'Look I promised Sophia I'd take her out if I don't it would blow my chances,'

'You like her then,' said Merlin asked.

'What's not to like?' asked Arthur.

Merlin grinned.

'I want to spend some more time with her but I need my father off my back,' said Arthur. 'Look I can't order you to lie to the king

'No you do that enough on your own,' Arthur said.

Merlin grinned.

'But friends for life if you do,' Arthur said pleadingly.

'You better go you don't want to keep Sophia waiting,' Merlin said.

Arthur grinned, 'thanks Merlin I won't forget it,' and he ran off.

Arthur and Sophia ride off out of Camelot as Gwen and Morgana watch her from the window.

'Are you sure it's her?' Gwen asked her lady.

Out in the woods Arthur helps Sophia over a fallen tree.

'The river's just over here,' Arthur leads the way.

'Arthur,' Sophia calls the prince. 'Wait,' she puts her staff down.

'What is it?' asked Arthur.

Sophia walks up to Arthur and they looking into each other's eyes.

'Tuck von phrixur, Artur,' Sophia began.

Gwaine opened his mouth to ask what she was saying.

'I don't know what that means she's speaking a different language than I know,' Merlin reminded his friend.

'You there, halt!' a knight shouts and shouts a crossbow at the young couple.

Arthur pushes Sophia out of the way just in time. The knights realise who it is.

'Sorry,' he apologizes.

'You nearly shot a crossbow in my face and you're sorry!' Arthur shouts at the knight.

'He's nice,' Merlin said.

'Your insane,' said Arthur.

'Most of those who try to shoot you never apologize,' said Merlin.

Arthur rolled his eyes.

Sophia looks at the crossbow as Arthur comes her way she fakes a laugh.

'You okay?' asked the prince.

'Yeah thanks to you,' Sophia flirts.

'They were searching for the bandits that attacked you and your father yesterday,' said Arthur picking up her staff.

'Too bad they're dead,' said Leon.

Arthur nodded.

'Sire did you bring the girl to the place where she was attacked?' asked Huinith.

'Call me Arthur,' said the prince. 'And um yes I did.'

'Real romantic you are,' muttered Merlin, 'you'd be nowhere without me.'

'What's that supposed to mean?' asked Gwen.

'Nothing,' said Arthur quickly.

Merlin laughed.

'Don't touch that!' Sophia said angrily.

'Sorry,' said Arthur, 'maybe we should go home.'

'No I'm fine,' said Sophia. 'I was upset don't let this spoil our day together we were having such a nice time. Let's go down to the river.'

'Your father would never forgive me if I let anything happen to you,' Arthur said.

Sophia walked off looking angry.

Arthur and Sophia ride back into Camelot. Sophia walks off looking angry. Arthur looks on love struck.

Gwen glared at the box and Arthur gave Elyon a fleeting look.

'Are you sure your going to be okay?' asked the prince.

'Quite sure,' replied Sophia. 'Thank you for today, Arthur,' she gives Arthur a peck on the cheek.

Gwen glared some more at the screen thinking that she bet that the witch had never kissed Arthur like she had.

Arthur watches as Sophia walks off her golden cloak billowing after her.

Later on Arthur's chambers Morgana and Arthur are talking, 'you make that sound like a bad thing,' Arthur said whilst taking off his belt.

'Not necessarily I've just never seen you fall under a woman's spell so quickly,' Morgana pointed out.

'If you're jealous it's okay to admit it,' Arthur said.

'She's your sister,' said Elyon disturbed.

'I was cursed,' said Arthur defensively.

'Don't flatter yourself,' retorted Morgana.

'Come on Morgana,' Arthur grinned. 'Wouldn't be the first time now would it?'

'I'm trying to protect you,' snapped Morgana.

'How times change,' sighed Gaius.

'Do you think my treatment of her was to blame?' asked Arthur.

'No it was me who pushed her over the edge,' replied Merlin.

'And I who told you not to help her,' sighed Gaius.

'And Uther who made her fear for her life,' said Huinith.

'She isn't what she seems,' Morgana said.

'That's true,' said Gaius.

'And what makes you say that?' asked Arthur.

'A feeling,' Morgana speaks as Arthur continues to rustle with his things. 'It's difficult to explain,' Morgana said hesitantly. 'I had a dream, a nightmare.'

Arthur starts to laugh at her, 'you really are very sweet Morgana.'

'Why are you laughing?' Morgana growled.

'These feelings, these dreams. You can tell me the truth! It's obvious you like me,' Arthur picks up a goblet of wine.

'Less and less by the second,' Morgana said coolly.

'Until full blown murder plots come,' sighed Merlin.

'Alright whatever you say,' Arthur said patronizingly.

'You're intolerable,' Morgana said.

'All brothers are,' said Gwen.

'You don't try and kill yours,' reminded Percival.

'Thank lord,' muttered Elyon. 'What Gwen can be scary when she wants to be I remember once she got me to dress up in mum's clothing.'

Everyone laughed at that.

'Don't say that too loudly,' muttered Leon blushing too.

'Just hope I'm wrong,' Morgana stormed off leaving Arthur to it.

The next morning Merlin and Arthur are in Arthur's chambers.

'You're dressed,' said Merlin surprised.

'Nothing gets passed you does it Merlin?' Arthur said with sarcasm.

'I hate sarcasm,' muttered Merlin.

'You're supposed to be wearing these,' Merlin waves some armour at him. 'Your father's bestowing a knighthood on one of your men this morning,' Merlin reminded his master.

'I'm giving it a miss,' said Arthur.

'I thought it was only teenagers who were rebellious,' laughed Gwaine. 'How old were you then.'

'Twenty,' said Merlin.

'I was enchanted,' reminded Arthur.

'Won't the king get you in trouble for that?' asked Merlin.

'Not if you cover for me again,' said Arthur. 'Thanks for yesterday though. Heard you ended up in the stock, bad luck.'

'They were throwing potatoes,' Merlin said. 'It's only supposed to be rotten fruit.'

'I'm not sure there are any hard and fast rules,' laughed Arthur. 'But if it's any consolation I think it was worth it.'

'That's much what Alfuric said before killing the bandit,' muttered Arthur disturbed.

'Don't worry about it,' said Merlin.

'It went well?' asked Merlin.

'For Alfuric and Sophia,' said Leon grimly.

'Great, fantastic, she's incredible,' Arthur said.

'Incredibly evil,' Merlin muttered.

'Don't worry,' Merlin assured the prince. 'I'll find a way to get you out of it.'

'Just don't end up in the stocks this time,' Arthur ordered.

'And that worked,' Gwen laughed.

Merlin grinned.

'I won't,' said Merlin. 'I think I'm beginning to get a hang of this whole deception lark.'

'Well I'd hope so,' said Gaius, 'you have been doing so your whole life.'

Arthur and Sophia run though the forest with Sophia giggling. She trips.

'Are you alright?' asked Arthur.

'Yes,' Sophia nods. 'Tuck von phrixur, Artur.'

'What does that mean?' asked Gwaine again.

Merlin growled but didn't answer.

'What are you doing?' asked Arthur.

'Cheek nom fogish. Jamea mortharisher. Tuck von phrixur, Artur,' Sophia continues enchanting Arthur as his eyes go red.

In Arthur's chambers Arthur is packing as Merlin enters.

'Get out,' the prince orders his servant.

'I thought the king was a bit harsh,' Merlin said.

'I don't need sympathy especially from you,' snapped Arthur.

'But I do think he had a point,' added Merlin.

'Definitely,' said Merlin.

'I told you to get out,' retorted Arthur.

'I know what you think your doing and I know you think your in love with Sophia-' Merlin began.

'Who are you to tell me what I'm thinking,' retorted Arthur.

'I'm your friend,' said Merlin softly.

'No your not you're my servant,' Arthur said.

'What happened to the "friends for life"?' asked Lancelot outraged.

'He's under an enchantment,' reminded Merlin.

'No he's right I'm sorry,' said Arthur.

'Thanks,' smiled Merlin.

'You don't know what you're doing,' said Merlin.

'It is impossible to reason with someone under an enchantment,' reminded Gaius.

'I know but I had to try since I have no idea how to battle Sidhe magic,'

Gaius nodded.

'She's cast a spell on you, you're enchanted.'

'I told you people would try and keep us apart,' Sophia had walked in with her father.

'I know,' Arthur nodded. 'I won't let that happen.'

'Don't listen to her,' said Merlin urgently. 'She's controlling you.'

'We can elope together,' Sophia moved forward. 'Get away from this place, these people.'

'I saw you,' Merlin looked at the two Sidhe. 'I followed him,' he nodded to Alfuric, 'they're planning to sacrifice you.'

Alfuric moved forwards, 'you let your servant treat your guests this way?' he asked.

'When they're trying to kill me, yes,' said Arthur.

'Thanks,' smiled Merlin.

'I know what you're going to do,' shouted Merlin. 'I followed you to the lake.'

Arthur seemed to be having a fight with himself.

'Don't listen to him to him, Arthur,' said Sophia. 'Let's leave tonight.'

'She's going to kill you,' said Merlin. 'Sophia hopes to sacrifice you to buy a life of immortality.'

Arthur gulped.

Arthur was shaking his head, 'it doesn't make sense,' he said. 'We're in love.'

'They're magical beings,' Merlin shouted.

'So are you,' smirked Arthur.

'I know,' grinned Merlin.

'Look at the writing on their staff,' Merlin attempted to grab Alfuric's staff. Alfuric got angry and his eyes flashed bright red, 'look at his eyes, Arthur, do you see?'

Arthur turned round his eyes as red as Alfuric's, 'I see everything,' he replied.

Merlin looked around at the two Sidhe and possessed prince. He was about to run when Alfuric lifted up his staff, 'Na mben sis!' he shouted.

Merlin was blasted with blue power and was knocked unconscious.

At the lake Sophia and Alfuric stood with their staffs with Arthur standing in a daze.

'Go, they are waiting,' said Alfuric.

'I don't understand,' Sophia said. 'I thought you were coming too.'

'Only one can pass. This was never meant for me.'

'But I only wanted this so we both return to Avalon,' Sophia had tears in her eyes.

'Instead neither of them returned,' muttered Merlin.

'Your destiny is far greater than mine I'm destined to live a mortal life,' said Alfuric.

'I don't want to leave you,' Sophia said.

'But you must,' Alfuric said. 'Once the ceremony begins you must go through with it. The elders expect a soul if they don't get his they'll take yours.'

'Which they did,' said Merlin.

'Before or after you killed her?' asked Gaius.

'After,' admitted Merlin.

'You killed her?' asked Arthur, 'how you can barely hold a sword.'

'With magic,' Merlin rolled his eyes.

'I'll miss you,' Sophia flings her arms around her father. 'I'll never forget you,' she sobs.

Sophia takes hold of Arthur's hands and leads him towards the lake. The scene cuts to Merlin running through the forest. It goes back and forwards between Merlin running to get to Arthur and Arthur getting closer and closer to the lake.

'Ibend dodenuve. Codon gareyew dolce are. Sue are. Igbeth dolce nur. Dobior colt oghum. Anvin. Flatau. Dondiay. Dobior colt oghum. Anvin. Flatau. Dondiay. Dobior colt oghum, Arthur Pendragon. Ibend dodenuver. Codon gareyew. Dolce nur. Sue are. Igeth dolce nur. Anvin. Flatau. Dondiay. Dobior colt oghum,' Alfuric enchants before Merlin is there.

'Hurry up Merlin,' muttered Arthur.

'Arthur you do remember this has already happened and your fine,' Merlin looked concerned for his friend.

Merlin trips on his way. When the spell is completed Arthur falls in the lake. In the forest Merlin appears to be lost.

'Don't tell me your sense of direction is going to kill me,' groaned Arthur.

'Obviously not you're alive,' Merlin said.

Arthur glared at his friend.

Arthur is drowning in the lake.

'Morgana's dream,' muttered Arthur.

'She is a seer,' said Merlin.

Merlin summons Sophia's staff away from Alfuric.

'Onbregdan,' Merlin said.

'What does that mean?' asked Gwaine.

'Here,' Merlin said.

'That's pretty simple,' muttered Arthur.

Merlin shrugged.

The he points it at Alfuric.

'Swilte, gold beorþ,' Merlin incants.

'What does that mean?' asked Arthur.

'Kill violently, gold-born,' Merlin said.

'Gold-born?' asked Gwen.

'Referring to his species,' replied Merlin.

Gwen nodded.

He then points it at Sophia,

'Og kelis!' Merlin this time said.

'What does that mean?' asked Arthur.

'Terror of cold winds,' replied Merlin.

'Why did you use a different spell?' asked Percival.

'Because I used the water to kill her,' replied Merlin.

Merlin then jumped into the water dragging Arthur out.

'Thanks,' Arthur said.

Merlin shrugged.

Later Arthur awakes in his chambers with Gaius and Merlin looking over him, 'what happens,' he put a hand to his head.

'Don't you remember, sire?' asked Gaius.

He sits up suddenly in bed, 'I was going to elope with Sophia,' he said horrified.

Gwen seemed glad at the look on Arthur's face at the fact that he had been going to elope with the Sidhe.

'I know I had to go and bring you back I hit you pretty hard over the head,' Merlin said.

'You hit me?' Arthur asked.

Merlin nodded.

Arthur groaned, 'nobody's going to here about any of this okay?'

Merlin nodded.

Later Gaius and Merlin are in their chambers when Morgana walks in, 'thank you Merlin. Arthur told me what you did.'

'Oh it was nothing,' Merlin said quickly.

After she left Merlin turned to Gaius, 'shouldn't you tell her.'

'It's better if she doesn't know,' Gaius said.