To Kill the King
'In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name: Merlin,' Kilgharrah started.
'I'm starting to get really sick of your dragon,' said Merlin.
'He's not my dragon,' Merlin retorted.
In the lower town Tom pushes a cart playfully down the street and sneaks up behind the carpet that Gwen is beating. He pops his head over the clothes line on which the carpet is hung.
'Oh no,' moaned Gwen tears in her eyes.
Everyone looked at her.
'This is around the day father executed your father,' said Arthur.
Gwen nodded.
Elyon tensed.
Both Arthur and Lancelot who were sitting on either side of her tried to comfort her and Leon gave a small smile to Elyon.
'Boo!' Tom laughed.
'Oh!' Gwen jumps in surprise and holds her hand to her chest.
'Did I surprise you?' asked Tom.
'You certainly did!' laughs Gwen.
'I've got another surprise for you, too,' said Tom.
Gwen winces knowing where the money came from and the result of it. Gaius, Merlin, Leon and Arthur frown at this.
Tom hands Gwen a small, wrapped cloth. Gwen opens it, revealing a fancy button, 'it's...lovely,' Gwen said not sounding thrilled by the present. 'Well, in case you ever need a spare. You know for this,' Tom holds up a colourful dress.
'It's beautiful!' gasps Gwen.
'Well, you're a beautiful girl, Gwen. You deserve beautiful things,' Tom said.
'Yes you do,' agrees Arthur.
Lancelot nods but doesn't say anything knowing whatever he had with Gwen was long over, well for her.
'But how? I mean it must have been expensive,' Gwen gasps.
Gwen frowns knowing that it would ultimately cost his life.
'Oh, very. But we're on the up now. Things are going to be different,' Tom assures his daughter.
'Very,' Gwen has tears in her eyes.
Arthur puts arms around the young woman as Lancelot looks on jealously but knowing Gwen needs Arthur.
'What's going on?' Gwen asks suspiciously.
'It'll be all right. Trust me,' Tom replies kissing his daughter's cheek. 'I won't be back for supper,' Tom informs his daughter.
That night Tom works at his forge. Tom hears lots of wind, 'hello?' Tom calls.
A man appears before Tom, hooded and cloaked.
'Is it prepared?' asked Tauren.
'Yes. Look,' Tom said.
Tauren approaches the forge and pulls down his hood, looking at the melted lead, 'very good,' Tauren agrees. Tauren pulls out a stone with silver claws around it.
'What's that?' asked Gwaine.
'The Philosopher's Stone it turns metal to gold,' Merlin said.
Gwaine wasn't to enthralled by that he didn't care about gold as long as he had a roof over his head, food and ale he was fine.
'What is that?' asked Tom.
'He had no idea what he was involved in,' sighed Arthur a heavy feeling of guilt in his gut at what his father had done.
'It wasn't your fault,' Gwen said. 'Uther's the only one to blame.'
'I'm not paying you to ask questions. The lead, please,' Tauren orders.
Tom takes the lead off the forge and pours it into a mould. Tauren holds the stone over the lead and the stone glows, Merlin wakes in his chamber.
'Why did you wake up?' asked Percival.
'The feel of strong magic,' Merlin replied, 'I can always sense it.'
'Áfæren æt gylden,' Tauren incanted.
'What does that mean?' asked Elyon.
'It changes to golden,' replied Merlin.
Tom whispers, 'you didn't say anything about magic! I don't want any trouble!'
'He tried to get out of it soon as he realised magic was involved,' the knot in his stomach twisting further.
'Wouldn't you?' asked Merlin, 'in fear of loosing your life and family.'
Tauren ignores the black smith, 'I búgan þéo, áfæren æt gylden,' and the lead turns to gold.
'What does that mean?' Gwen asked knowing this act of magic lead her father to his death.
'I submit this, it changes to golden,' replied Merlin.
'Gold?' asks Tom shocked.
'Pure, priceless gold,' Tauren agrees.
Tom drenches the gold and it steams. Tom holds up the lump of gold.
'Yours, blacksmith. If you keep your mouth shut,' Tauren tells the man.
Arthur bursts in with the guards. Tauren runs for it.
'Seize him!' Arthur orders.
'Yes, sir,' a guard answers.
'Quickly, after him!' the young prince shouts.
Tauren tosses the heated materials in the water, creating a smoke screen. He knocks over a table and drops the leather bag with the stone in it.
'That's the stone he meant,' said Gwen suddenly.
Arthur looked at her.
'He …. Er …threatened me,' Gwen admitted.
Leon, Elyon, Lancelot, Arthur and Merlin were the most vocal of those at this but the others didn't look happy about it.
'Well at least he lost the stone,' said Gwaine.
'He got it back,' Merlin said grimly.
'How?' asked Arthur.
'Morgana,' said Merlin.
Arthur tensed up, 'she betrayed us even then,' sighed Arthur.
'Not completely,' Merlin tried.
'Stop!' a guard shouts after the sorcerer.
'He must be caught!' Arthur orders his knights.
'Stop that man!' a guard shouts.
A pair of guards stays behind, restraining Tom. Arthur turns around and takes the gold from him.
'It looked like he'd sold us out,' sighed Arthur.
'Sire, please,' Tom begs.
'You're under arrest,' Arthur arrests the man.
In Gaius' chambers Merlin emerges from his chamber.
'Can't sleep?' asked Gaius.
'Something woke me,' explains Merlin.
'What?' asked Gaius surprised.
'I don't know. A feeling,' Merlin tried to explain.
'What kind of feeling?' Gaius asked worried.
'Powerful magic, here, in Camelot,' Merlin said grimly.
Gwen runs into the Physician's Chambers.
'Gwen. What's wrong?' Merlin asked worried.
'My father's been arrested,' Gwen cried.
Gwen had tears in her eyes she remembered how distraught she had been at this time.
'Arrested? What for?' asked Merlin.
'They say he was making weapons for a sorcerer! They're charging him with treason!' Gwen said.
In the palace Morgana in her nightgown, Uther, and Arthur are conversing.
'Treason!' Morgana said sharply.
'Yes, Morgana, treason. The blacksmith was consorting with a known enemy,' Uther said.
'Enemy? What enemy?' Morgana asked.
'Tauren. The leader of a band of renegade sorcerers sworn to bring down the King,' Tauren said.
'And where is this Tauren now?' asked Morgana.
'He escaped,' Arthur said.
'Well, then how can you be sure?' asked Morgana.
'Because Arthur saw him with his own eyes,' Uther replied.
'Sorry,' Arthur apologized.
'Well, even if the man is who you say he is, you can't sentence Tom to death for just being seen with him!' Morgana demanded.
'We have reason to believe he was forging weapons for Tauren,' Uther said.
'Rubbish! He would never do such a thing,' Morgana defended the man.
'Every man has a price,' Uther retorted.
Arthur slides the lump of gold across the table, 'found this on the blacksmith,' Arthur explained.
'So he was paid! He's a blacksmith. He could've been paid for shoeing Tauren's horse!' Morgana snapped.
'In gold?' questioned Uther.
'This is madness! You condemn a man with no proof!' shouted Morgana.
'Never stopped him before,' muttered Merlin.
'Merlin,' hissed Gaius.
Merlin shrugged not taking it back.
'You agree with Morgana?' asked Percival angry at this owing to the fact the witch had killed his whole family.
'On the fact that Uther is wrong, that magic should not be outlawed?' asked Merlin. 'Yes but her methods and decisions, anger and bitterness?' Merlin questioned. 'Never!'
Percival nodded.
'I have enough proof,' Uther said.
'Arthur! Have you nothing to say?' Morgana demanded.
'Father, the blacksmith committed a crime, but we don't know for certain he meant treason,' Arthur defended the man.
'Thanks Arthur,' sighed Gwen.
'Not that it did any good,' Arthur sighed.
'You tried,' replied Gwen.
'No. You're right. Nothing's certain. Save one thing. The law stands or this kingdom falls,' Uther decreed.
'But the law must give him a fair trial!' Morgana snapped.
'He'll get a fair trial, and he'll be found guilty, 'cause that's what he is,' Uther had made up his mind.
'You execute Gwen's father, and I will never forgive you. Never,' Morgana storms out.
'This is when she begins to hate Uther, isn't it,' said Arthur.
Merlin nods.
'Maybe we should investigate further,' suggests Arthur reasonably.
'Tauren slept somewhere, he fed somewhere. Find anyone who helped him in any way. They must be punished. The people must see the laws of Camelot are not to be trifled with,' Uther said.
'Yes, Father,' the prince unhappily agreed.
In the dungeon's Gwen visits her father's cell.
'I didn't know Tauren was a sorcerer. I meant no harm, I swear,' Tom told his daughter.
'Why didn't you tell me what was going on?' asked Gwen tears in her eyes.
'I knew you wouldn't like it, Gwen. You're cautious. I didn't want to let an opportunity pass,' Tom explained.
'Opportunity? You call this an opportunity?' Gwen gestured at the cell.
'I know. I've been a fool,' Tom sighs. 'I just wanted to make a better life for us. For you. I wanted to make you happy.'
'But I am happy! I don't need anything else. I have everything I want,' Gwen assured her father.
'And I've thrown it all away!' Tom moaned.
'It's all right. We will get you out of here, I promise,' Gwen swears.
'I broke that promise,' Gwen was crying now.
Gwen walks away from the bars to where Merlin and Gaius are waiting.
'What did he say?' Merlin asks.
'He said Tauren came to him at the forge, offered to pay him a fortune for his help, not to make weapons, for an experiment or something,' Gwen said.
'What kind of experiment?' demands Merlin.
'Was now really the time?' asked Lancelot.
'No,' admitted Merlin.
'You wanted to find out what woke you,' Percival said.
Merlin nodded.
'Tauren didn't say. But he used some kind of stone...some kind of magic...' Gwen trails off.
In Gaius' chambers Gaius exits Merlin's Chamber.
'She's sleeping now,' said Gaius.
'I don't understand it. What would a sorcerer want with Tom?' asked Merlin.
'His forge, Merlin. It's the finest in the kingdom,' Gaius said.
'You think Tom was lying? You think he really was making weapons?' asked Merlin.
'Never!' Gwen and Elyon spoke out angrily.
'I know,' Merlin assured them, 'I just didn't know what was going on.'
'No, I don't,' Gaius said.
'Thank you,' Gwen smiled at the physician.
'Then what?' asked Merlin.
'When Tom was arrested, they found gold on him,' Gaius said.
'So?' Merlin said slowly.
'And from what Gwen was saying, Tauren's experiment bears all the hallmarks of alchemy,' Gaius said.
'But alchemy's impossible, isn't it?' asked Merlin.
'To change the very nature of one thing to another has defeated all who have tried. But if you used magic,' Gaius explained.
'Do you think that's what woke me?' asked Merlin.
'It is possible, I suppose,' admits Gaius.
In the lower town Morgana walks to Gwen's home.
'Gwen? Gwen?' Morgana calls walking to Tom's forge. 'Gwen?' she calls again. Morgana sees the leather bag on the floor of the forge, picks it up, and pulls out the stone, it glows in her hands.
'It was calling to her,' muttered Arthur.
'She has latent magic even is she isn't yet aware of it,' replied Merlin.
Merlin senses it as he sits in a chair in his chamber. Morgana takes the stone to her chambers and puts it in a fancy box.
Morgana enters Merlin's Chamber.
'Merlin,' Morgana said.
'Morgana,' the warlock greets the witch.
Morgana looks at Gwen sleeping on the bed.
'How is she?' asked Morgana.
'She's doing OK,' Merlin said quietly.
'We should let her rest,' Morgana said.
'Yeah,' Merlin whispers.
Merlin and Morgana exit his chamber.
'Morgana, have you spoken to Uther? He must realise this is a mistake. Whatever Tom was doing, it wasn't plotting against the King,' Merlin said.
'I know that. Of course I do. But Uther...Uther only sees enemies,' sighed Morgana.
'Except those who are enemies,' muttered Merlin.
'Nobody suspected Morgana,' said Leon.
'I did,' Gwen and Merlin said.
'Why didn't you say anything?' demanded Arthur.
'Who would be believed a servant or the king's ward?' asked Merlin.
Arthur frowned but said nothing staring intently at the moving pictures but not really seeing it.
'But Tom is the most gentle soul I've ever met,' Merlin defended.
'Thanks,' Gwen smiled sadly.
'It's true,' Merlin said.
'But he was seen with Tauren, and that makes him an enemy,' Morgana sighed and turns to leave.
'Then,' Merlin calls after her. Morgana stops to face him, 'there's little hope?'
'There's no hope, Merlin. None at all,' Morgana said.
In Arthur's chambers Morgana enters, 'Arthur?' Morgana calls.
She walks over to the bureau and searches for a key.
'That's how he escaped,' muttered Gwen.
'You'd be surprised how many times Morgana did so,' muttered Merlin.
Morgana visits Tom.
'I bring you no relief, Tom. I'm sorry. I came only to see you were comfortable,' the lady says.
'How's Gwen?' asked the father.
'She's a brave girl. She wishes only to see you free,' Morgana said.
'I know what Uther thinks about sorcery. I'm a dead man, aren't I?' Tom said resigned.
'I cannot see the future,
Merlin snorted.
only the present, and one must always seize the moment,' Morgana hands him the key through the bars. 'Good luck,' were Morgana's last words to her friend's father.
In the square the executioner and some guards escort some men into the Square.
'They're to be executed?' Merlin asked.
'Yes, Merlin,' Arthur said.
'By order of the King?' Merlin asked.
'They committed a serious crime,' Arthur tells the servant.
'Giving a man a bed for the night?' Merlin said incredulously.
'Not a man. A sorcerer,' said Arthur.
Merlin scowled at this, 'sorcerers are just as human as anyone else.'
'I shouldn't have said that,' Arthur agreed.
'Thanks I always knew you weren't as set in your ways as your father,' Merlin smiled.
'Er, thanks, I think,' Arthur said. 'You know most people who say I'm not like my father say it as an insult.'
'I'm not most people,' said Merlin.
'No your not,' agreed Arthur.
'Anyway I agree with him,' said Gwen, 'I love you but Uther killed my father I'll never forget that!'
Arthur nodded frowning.
'Maybe they didn't know that,' Merlin suggested.
'It is not for you to question my father's actions. Is that understood?' Arthur ordered.
'Yes, Sire,' Merlin made the word "sire" as an insult in the way only Merlin could do.
'How do you do that,' moaned Gwaine, 'you're going to have to teach me that.'
Merlin just grinned.
'You better not,' warned Arthur.
'Oh what are you going to do to the mighty Emrys?' askedGwaine with a laugh.
'Now go get on with whatever you're meant to be doing,' the prince ordered.
Tom lies awake in his cell that night. he pretends to be asleep when the guard comes by, then uses the key to escape. he sneaks through the dungeon tunnels, but the guard checks his cell again.
'Sound the warning bell!' the guard orders.
Tom knocks out a guard who's closing a dungeon gate. Tom takes his sword and the warning bell tolls. Uther and Arthur enter the Council Chamber.
'He's just proved his guilt. You will kill him on sight,' Uther ordered.
'No!' cried Gwen.
Arthur puts an arm around the tearstained girl.
'But the trial, Father!' Arthur said offended.
'The trial is a formality. Now I want him dead. And an end to it,' Uther orders.
Tom tries to sneak up the Stairway, but guards come down and surround him on all sides. He drops his sword.
'Please,' Tom begs and goes to his knees with his hands in the air.
'Kill him,' a guard orders.
'No!' Gwen cries.
The swords run him though.
Gwen breaks down into tears on Arthur's chest and Elyon had his face in his hands trying to stay strong. Everyone else was quiet and tense not sure what to say.
The next day Gwen's wail echoes in the Square, 'nooooooo...!' the orphan cries. She runs down the steps to her father's body, which is being carried off on a cart by a pair of guards. Morgana watches from a window above.
'No, Father! No, Father!' Gwen cries repeatedly.
In the king's council chambers Morgana waits for guards to open the doors and she storms in.
'You have blood on your hands, Uther Pendragon! Blood that will never wash off!' the king's ward shouts.
'Hark who's talking,' said Gwen.
Merlin nods, 'they're too alike,' Merlin mutters.
Arthur frowned, 'do you really believe that?' he asked.
Merlin nods, 'they'll both kill whoever gets in their way, they'll both kill those who different to them whether magic or non.'
'May I remind you that you're speaking to your King,' Uther ordered.
'May I remind you that a king is wise and just. You are neither. You rule only with the sword,' Morgana decreed.
Merlin nodded.
'You know nothing of what it means to be King. The fate of Camelot rests in my hands. It's my responsibility to protect the people of this land from its enemies,' Uther said.
'And make enemies of those who were originally your people,' said Merlin.
'Then the kingdom is doomed! For one by one you make enemies of us all!' Morgana said.
Arthur frowned knowing that he was surely making an enemy of Morgana.
'You speak treason, Morgana,' the king said.
'She commits treason too,' muttered Lancelot.
'Only a mad man hears the truth as treason,' Morgana retorted.
'Take care, child, or I'll have you restrained,' threatens the king.
'You just try,' Morgana warns.
Morgana is dragged into a large prison cell by some guards and chained to the wall.
'No wonder she betrays Uther,' muttered Gwaine.
'But us,' said Gwen tears on her face still.
'She felt you were with Uther,' said Gaius.
'And you will remain here until you learn your lesson,' Uther said.
'Then release me because I've learned it already! That you care not for me, or anyone but yourself! That you're driven mad with power! That you're a tyrant!' Morgana shouts.
Gwen sits on the bed in Merlin's Chamber, staring off into space. Merlin enters, 'all right?' he asks gently.
'I just don't understand,' Gwen said desperately. 'Why did he try to escape? His trial was this morning.'
Someone knocks gently on the door. Arthur enters and Gwen stands up quickly to face him, 'sire,' she says desperately.
'Guinevere, I...want you to know that your job is safe. And that your home is yours for life. I guarantee you that. I know that under the circumstances it's not much but, erm, anything you want, anything you need, all you have to do is ask,' Arthur begins to leave but pauses and turns back around. 'I'm sorry.'
'Thank you, Sire,' Gwen said.
Gwen walks home that night from the palace. She pauses to take her dress off of the clothes line before going inside. Tauren steps out from the shadows and grabs her from behind, covering her mouth.
'You never told me that happened!' Merlin said.
'I was scared,' Gwen said, 'I didn't know you to talk to.'
'I want the stone! Where is it?' demanded the sorcerer.
Gwen tries to shake her head; Tauren lifts his hand from her mouth.
'I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know anything about,' Gwen said sounding petrified.
Tauren clamps his hand back over her mouth.
'Now you listen to me. In two days' time, I'll be at the Darkling Woods at dawn. You find the stone, you bring it to me, or you will die. Now, do I make myself clear?' demanded the sorcerer.
All the men looked very angry.
Gwen nods, 'mm-hmm!' she mumbles.
In the physician's chambers Gaius flips through a book as Merlin exits his chamber.
'Merlin, come and take a look. I've been doing some research and found this,' Gaius informed his apprentice.
'The Mage Stone?' asked Merlin.
'The what?' asked Arthur.
'Another name for the philosopher's stone,' Gaius explained.
'Wonder of the ancients. Lost for a thousand years or more,' Gaius explained.
'What does it do?' asked Merlin.
'Theoretically, it could give the bearer the power of transformation,' Gaius told the young warlock.
'Gold. The power of alchemy,' Merlin understood.
'Exactly. I believe it was the Mage Stone you sensed on the night of Tom's arrest,' Gaius said.
'Of course! Gwen said that Tauren had some kind of stone,' Merlin realised.
Morgana sits on the floor of her cell. the door opens and Arthur enters.
'You. How proud you must be. Son of the mighty Uther. How you must look up to him. Does the King's little helper bring a message? Or have you just come to gloat?' Morgana sneers.
'Guards!' Arthur calls.
Morgana stands up and backs away, pulling on her chains, 'get away from me, you cowards!'
'I would never hurt her,' said Arthur.
Merlin winced.
Arthur didn't notice, 'I still don't know if I could. I know what she is but she's still the girl I grew up with that I considered a sister before I found out she was my sister.'
Merlin didn't say anything knowing he had hurt her many times.
'You're free to go,' Arthur said.
The guards remove her manacles and leave. She walks to the door.
'Morgana,' Arthur says just before she leaves.
She pauses just behind Arthur.
'Yes?' asked Morgana.
'I swore to him you'd never challenge his authority again. I swore that you'd learned your lesson. Tread carefully. Next time, I may not be able to help you,' Arthur sighed.
'Thank you. You're a better man than your father. Always were,' Morgana admitted.
'I wish she still saw that,' sighed Merlin.
Morgana enters her chambers, where Gwen is sitting. Gwen goes to Morgana quickly, 'my Lady!' she asks.
'Gwen. I didn't expect to see you here,' Morgana said surprised.
'What happened to you?' demands Gwen.
'Nothing. Well, nothing a hot bath wouldn't fix,' Morgana assures her friend.
Gwen sees the sores on Morgana's arms where the manacles rubbed, I spent the night in the dungeon,' Morgana explains.
'Uther,' Gwen says coolly.
'He doesn't like to be challenged,' Morgana said.
'It wasn't about my father, was it?' Gwen asks.
'You have enough to deal with without worrying about such things,' Morgana told the other girl.
'You shouldn't have done that! Not on my behalf. If anything happened to you, I couldn't bear it,' Gwen said.
'You need to go home, Gwen. Get some rest. Please,' Morgana pleaded.
'I'm fine, My Lady,' Gwen lied.
'I insist,' Morgana said.
Gwen walks past Morgana with her head bowed, picking up a hair brush, 'Gwen?' asks Morgana. Gwen stops, her back to Morgana, trying not to cry, 'Gwen?' Morgana asks again.
'I can't go home!' cried Gwen.
'It's understandable to feel so alone,' Morgana reassure her friend.
'Tauren,' Gwen said
'Tauren?' asked Morgana.
'He attacked me. He threatened me. He was looking for some kind of stone,' Gwen was distraught.
'Which she has,' Lancelot said.
'Stone?' asked Morgana.
'He said if I didn't bring it to him, he'd kill me. He's waiting for me in the Darkling Woods. I have to do something. If I don't get this stone to him by dawn tomorrow...' she trailed off.
Morgana begins walking off purposefully.
'What are you going to do?' asked Gwen.
'I'm going to send the guards, of course. It won't be you that Tauren meets. It'll be the Knights of Camelot,' Morgana lies.
That night Merlin wakes when he senses the Mage Stone's power as Morgana holds it in her chambers.
'She's going to Tauren,' said Arthur.
He gets out of bed and sees her walking out of Camelot.
'And your going to follow her,' sighed Gwen.
He follows her through the Lower Town and into the woods, where she is surrounded by Tauren's men. He hides behind a tree and listens in on their conversation.
'Where's your maid?' asked Tauren.
'I've come in her place,' Morgana told him.
'Kill her,' Tauren orders.
'No! Wait! I brought the Stone!' Morgana cries and reaches for the stone.
'What else have you brought, My Lady? The Knights of Camelot?' demands Tauren.
'I came alone, I promise you,' Morgana assures the criminal.
'Give me the stone,' Tauren orders.
Morgana hands it over.
'You were foolish to come here. I had no quarrel with your maid. But you, My Lady Morgana, you are Uther's ward,' he draws his sword and puts it to her stomach.
'If you kill me, you'll regret it,' Morgana warns.
'Why is that?' asks Tauren.
'Because I want Uther dead, too,' Morgana said.
'Already?' asks Arthur with a sigh he couldn't really blame her.
'She changes her mind this time,' said Merlin.
'You? An enemy of the King? And I'm to believe that?' the sorcerer said incredulously.
'Why else would I be here?' Morgana demanded.
'I can only guess at your motives, My Lady. You could be a spy, for all I know,' the criminal said.
'Father would never have put her in danger like that,' said Merlin.
'And this,' she flips back her sleeves, revealing her sore, bruised wrists. 'Is it usual for Uther to chain his friends to a dungeon wall? The stone. You took it to the forge. Why?'
'With it a man can alter the very essence of things. He can turn a lump of lead into gold,' explained Tauren.
'Gold? A good man died in your quest for riches, Tauren. His daughter is now an orphan,' Morgana said coolly.
'I'm sorry for that. Truly. But we did not want the gold to line our pockets,' Tauren said.
'Then what for?' asked Arthur.
'Bribery,' Merlin said grimly.
'The gold was but a means, a means to rid this kingdom of Uther Pendragon once and for all,' Tauren explains.
'What are you saying?' Morgana asked carefully.
'Bribery is rife at Camelot. I will use the corruption at the heart of his kingdom, and such abundance of gold will buy me into the King's chambers, even to the King himself,' Tauren told her.
'The guards may be fools, Tauren, but the King is not,' Morgana informed him.
'Do you have a better plan?' asked Tauren.
'To get to Uther, you need someone close to him,' Morgana said.
'She's going to attempt to assassinate him,' Arthur said outraged.
Merlin nodded.
'And you know of such a person?' asked Tauren.
'I do. Me,' agreed Morgana.
In Gaius' chambers Merlin stares into his bowl at dinner.
'Pass the salt, please,' Gaius orders.
Merlin hands him an apple without looking.
'That was an apple, Merlin,' laughed Gwaine.
'I was worried,' retorted Merlin.
'You all right?' asked Gaius concerned.
'What?' asked Merlin. 'Yeah. I've just got a few things on my mind, that's all.'
'Anything you'd like to talk to me about?' Gaius asks.
'I can't imagine you'd be interested,' Merlin lies.
'So long as you're sure,' Gaius sighs.
'I should be getting to work,' Merlin said quickly Merlin gets up and heads to the door behind him.
'Er, Merlin?' Gaius said gently.
Merlin stops and turns.
'That's a broom cupboard,' Gaius looks amused.
Merlin walks down the tunnel to the Dragon's Cave with a torch and enters the Dragon's Cave. Kilgharrah is sleeping. Merlin clears his throat pointedly. The dragon stirs, 'well, young warlock, what is it you come to ask of me?' questions the man.
'I need your help,' Merlin said.
'Of course you do, but this time, will you heed my words?' asked the dragon.
'The sorcerer Tauren is plotting to kill the King. He's made an ally of Morgana. I don't know what to do!' Merlin explained.
'You could have come to me,' said Gaius.
Merlin shrugged.
'Just stop it,' suggested Arthur.
'But I could see where Morgana was coming from,' Merlin said looking at his feet.
'You were going to turn a blind eye,' said Arthur.
Merlin nodded.
'What convinced you to change your mind?' asked Percival.
'Gwen,' Merlin shrugged.
'Do...nothing,' Kilgharrah said.
'What?' demanded Arthur.
'He did attempt to destroy Camelot,' said Leon.
'And in justly imprisoned and whole species wiped out by one man,' Merlin added coolly.
'What do you mean? If I do nothing, Uther will die,' Merlin cried.
'Don't you want Uther dead?' asked the dragon.
Arthur gave Merlin a sharp look, 'I'll shed no tears when he dies but I'll be there for you because you love him,' Merlin said it in such a way that she couldn't believe anyone could love Uther.
'It is Uther that persecutes you and your kind, Merlin,' Kilgharrah reminded him.
Arthur winced, 'sorry.'
'I don't blame you,' said Merlin.
'It is Uther that murders the innocent.'
Again Arthur winced.
'Don't blame yourself,' Merlin said.
'But surely that doesn't make it right to kill him,' Merlin argued.
'Only if Uther dies can magic return to the land. Only if Uther dies will you be free, Merlin. Uther's reign is at an end. Let Arthur's reign begin. Fulfil your destiny!' Kilgharrah reasoned and the dragon flies off.
'Wait! Where does it say my destiny includes murder?' retorts Merlin.
'Free this land from tyranny, Merlin! Free us all!' begged Kilgharrah.
In the council chambers Uther eats alone. Morgana enters.
'I didn't expect to see you. You wish to say something?' asked Uther.
'I came to apologise, My Lord,' the lady of Camelot said.
'Good,' Uther said.
Morgana stiffens.
'Wasn't it obvious by the way she stiffened she wasn't being honest?' asked Leon.
'I thought that all last year with her smirking at me constantly and none of you noticed,' retorted Merlin.
'I didn't mean to rile you. I thought only of Gwen. The poor girl is all alone in the world,' Morgana sighed.
'It was not my intention to hurt your maid,' Uther said.
'I know. But now she suffers, and I know how she must suffer,' Morgana admitted.
'Morgana,' Uther began.
'I only meant, I know what it's like to lose a father,' Morgana said.
'That was a terrible day. Your father was a great friend.
'Who you had an affair with his wife,' muttered Arthur hurt by his betrayal.
I had no part in his death,' Arthur said.
'You sent him into battle. You promised him reinforcements and then gave him none. You sent him to his death,' Morgana said.
'That is not true. It was never my intention,' Uther said.
'But it happened! And it keeps on happening,' Morgana said.
'Morgana!' Uther said.
'I'm sorry, My Lord,' Morgana turns to leave, looking upset, but her expression clears when she faces the door.
'She's not really upset,' said Lancelot in understanding.
'She's a very good actor,' Merlin said grimly, 'trust me I know I fell for her more time than once.'
'Well not as much as everyone else,' Arthur said bitterly.
Merlin and Gaius are in Gaius' chambers.
'Do you think Uther's a good king?' Merlin asks suddenly.
'Sorry?' Gaius asks.
Merlin, 'um…. Uther. Do you think he's good for the kingdom?' Merlin asked.
'Yes. Yes, I do. In the light of recent events, you may find that hard to believe,' Uther admitted.
'That puts it mildly,' muttered Gwen.
'That's how I feel,' Merlin said.
Arthur felt awkward.
'They don't blame you,' Hunith said kindly.
'Hard? No. Impossible? Definitely,' Merlin said.
'Merlin,' Gaius began.
'Everyone hates him,' Merlin said.
Arthur winced.
'Not everyone,' Gwen said. 'Everyone who's lost people to him. And everyone is scared of him!'
'It is not Uther's job to be liked. It is Uther's job to protect the kingdom. Most of his methods are right. Sometimes he may go too far,' Gaius explained.
'Really? You mean like executing anyone who even passes a sorcerer on the street?' Merlin demanded.
'Yes. But despite Uther's failings, he has brought peace and prosperity to this kingdom,' Gaius said.
'But at what cost? At the cost of women and children, fathers and sons! When will it end?' Merlin demanded.
'It will end when Arthur is King,' Gaius said.
'Then why not let that time be now? Why not let Arthur be King?' Merlin asked.
'That's treason,' Lancelot said.
'Having magic is treason!' snapped Merlin.
'You were going to let father die?' Arthur asked.
Merlin nodded, 'Tom's death brought what I was risking into reality it was someone I actually knew,' Merlin said. 'Never mind someone I trusted told me it was a good idea.'
'You trusted the dragon?' asked Leon who had seen the dragon's rage on Camelot.
'I soon stopped,' Merlin admitted.
'They're family,' said Hunith suddenly.
'How?' asked Elyon.
'Never mind,' snapped Hunith, 'they just are!'
'Arthur's not ready. The responsibility would be too great. Brave though he may be, he lacks experience, he lacks judgment. Is there anything you want to tell me?' Gaius gave Merlin a long look.
'I can't...I, I just...No, I can't. You've just got to trust me. Gaius, it's something I've got to work out for myself,' Merlin said.
'I do trust you, Merlin. Whatever it is, I know you'll make the right decision,' Gaius said.
'As you did,' Gaius smiled.
'Thanks to Gwen,' said Merlin.
'Me?' asked Gwen. 'What did I do?'
'Gave me excellent advice,' said Merlin.
Gwen frowned trying to remember what she had said.
Uther watches from a Throne Room window as Morgana walks down the palace steps into the Square with Gwen.
Morgana walks down the curved steps from her chambers to near where Uther is, Uther rounds the corner behind her.
'Morgana!' Uther greets.
Morgana stops, but doesn't turn around.
'I'm not disturbing you, I hope?' Uther asks.
'Not at all,' Morgana says.
'These are difficult times,' Uther said.
'You make it difficult,' Merlin muttered.
'They put a strain on us all.'
'Yes, My Lord,' the lady of Camelot speaks respectfully.
'I cannot tell you how much it pains me to be at odds with you,' Uther sighs.
'They always were,' Arthur said.
'And I with you,' Morgana lies.
'Yeah right,' snorted Gwaine.
'I've been thinking about what you said. And, er, I realise I may have been insensitive. I should have foreseen the distress that your maid's loss would cause you, that it would stir old memories. I've opened an old wound. For that, I'm sorry,' apologizes the harsh king.
Morgana goes to Uther.
'My Lord, it gladdens my heart to hear these words. I too wish to heal these wounds. Let us visit my father's grave together and put the past behind us,' Morgana offers.
'Nothing would give me greater happiness,' Uther says.
'Shall we leave tomorrow at first light?' asked Morgana.
'I will make arrangements,' Uther told her.
That night Morgana meets Tauren outside the palace walls at night, 'so, My Lady, what news?'
'Uther has fallen for the bait. We ride out in the morning for the Old Cairn on the hill,' the witch told the sorcerer.
'Are you sure you're committed to this?' asked Uther.
'More than ever I want Uther dead as much as you. As much as anyone in this rotten kingdom of his,' Morgana said bitterly.
'Then the deed is as good as done,' Tauren said.
Merlin sees Tauren leave and sneaks back behind the castle wall.
The next day Uther and Morgana's party rides out of the Square the next morning. Merlin watches from Arthur's Chambers. Gwen walks past and notices him staring out the window.
'Merlin?' asks Gwen.
'Oh I remember,' said Gwen.
Merlin nodded, 'thanks for that.'
'Gwen. How are you doing?' asked Merlin.
'I was about to ask you the same question,' Gwen said kingly.
'I'm fine. Fine,' Merlin reassured his friend.
Gwen looks out the window at the riding party, 'Morgana's been amazing these last few days.'
'I can't believe how kind she was compared to how she is now,' Gwen sighed.
'I think you've been amazing. After all that's happened, getting your life back together,' Merlin said.
'It's better than sitting in an empty house, waiting for my father to walk through the door. The thing I find hardest to bear is that people will always think he was guilty because he tried to escape,' Gwen sighed.
'But you know the truth despite what everyone else says,' Hunith gave a sad smile.
'You seem to know how I feel,' said Gwen.
'In a different way but I do,' sighed Hunith. 'But yes.'
'I know he was innocent,' Merlin said.
'I think he tried to escape because he knew that whatever he said or did he'd be killed. Uther had already made up his mind. That's the kind of man he is,' Gwen said.
'I wouldn't blame you if you wanted him dead,' Merlin said.
'If Uther died I'd feel nothing. He means nothing to me,' Gwen said.
'But you look after him day by day,' said Arthur.
'For you not Uther,' Gwen retorted.
'But if you had...you know...the choice, what would you do? If you had the power of life and death over Uther, would you kill him? For what he did?' Merlin asked.
'No!' Gwen said shocked.
'No?' asked Merlin.
'What would that solve? That would make me a murderer. That would make me as bad as him,' Gwen said.
'That's the words I live by,' Merlin said.
'I'm glad you were there for him when he wouldn't talk to me,' smiled Gaius.
'You're right. Of course you're right,' Merlin runs out of the room.
'Is anything wrong?' Gwen calls after him.
'No, no! See you later!' Merlin calls.
Merlin runs into his chamber and grabs Sophia Tír-Mòr's staff from under his bed.
'That's how the assassins were defeated,' Arthur realised.
Merlin nodded.
'You saved the king's life,' Leon said.
'A man that would have you executed at a drop of a hat,' said Gwaine shaking his head.
'I don't think I could ever do that,' added Lancelot.
'It was the right thing to do,' said Merlin.
At Gorlois' grave Tauren and his men hide behind trees in the forest that the riding party passes through. Morgana and Uther dismount at the bottom of the hill.
'Do you think that we could have some privacy?' Morgana asks her guardian.
'Fine. Wait here. We're in no danger,' Uther orders his guard.
Gwaine snorts at this, 'and here come the sorcerers who want to kill you.'
'Sire,' a guard nods.
Merlin runs through the woods with the staff. Morgana and Uther climb the hill to the gravesite. Merlin approaches their horses and finds the Camelot guards dead.
Arthur and Leon sigh knowing some of the guards.
He sees the renegades pursuing Uther. Morgana kneels at Gorlois's gravestone.
'Father,' Morgana sighs.
Uther sticks his sword in the ground. Merlin approaches the renegades and raises the staff, 'Ácwele!' Merlin whispers and a bolt of energy shoots out and kills one of the renegades, the other one draws his sword and Merlin shoots him, too.
The knights and Gwen shuddered that the kind, sweet slightly idiotic boy that they all knew and loved could have so much power.
'What does that mean?' asked Arthur in shock.
'Die,' said Merlin grimly. 'One of the few times I've used dark magic. Oh don't look at me like that it's not like you've never killed anyone!'
'With swords not dark magic,' said Arthur still shocked.
'And what's the difference?' asked Merlin. 'You've killed evil sorcerers and so have I! Only by different methods!'
'It's just I've never seen you use dark magic to kill humans like that,' said Gwen.
'I've done worse,' said Merlin grimly thinking of Morgana.
The knights and Gwen frowned but didn't say anything and went back to the scene un-playing before them.
Uther approaches the grave and places his hand on Morgana's head.
'Your father was the greatest man I've ever known. He stood for everything this kingdom represents. Truth, justice, valour.
'Unlike you,' muttered Merlin.
Arthur frowned but couldn't fault that: his father had lied to him about his mother, uncle and Morgana, and his father killed out of guilt and betray those he consider as friends including Morgana and Gaius.
A hundred times he saved my life on the battlefield. His courage and his honour were without equal, 'Uther kneels and kisses gravestone.
'That was very respectful,' said Merlin surprised.
'When Gorlois died, I lost the truest friend I ever had. For he was as fearless in questioning my judgment as he was in defending my kingdom. That's the mark of a true friend,' Uther said.
'See,' said Merlin grinning at Arthur.
'Your agreeing with something Uther Pendragon says?' laughed Arthur.
'Only once,' muttered Merlin.
'I know how he respected you, My Lord. But I don't share these memories. How can I? I was ten years old. I only know I loved him and he was taken from me,' Morgana said.
'When he died, and I took you into my care, you fought me from the beginning. Your will is as strong as my own. You challenge me as a friend must. As your father did in his time,' Uther said.
'And when I do, you clap me in irons,' Morgana snapped.
'I know I'm not an easy man. My temper blinds me sometimes. There are things that I regret,' Uther admits.
Merlin looks at the box surprised.
'Gwen's father?' asked Morgana.
'Yes,' admits Uther.
'Really?' asks Gwen shocked as everyone else in the room even Arthur had rarely heard his father admit to being wrong.
Morgana looks at Uther, surprised.
'Are you saying you were wrong to have Tom killed?' Morgana asks quietly.
'Yes,' Uther admits.
'Thanks,' Gwen smiles sadly.
Tauren watches them from behind a tree, but he hears Merlin sneaking up behind him. He moves and pulls out the Mage Stone.
'Ácwele!' Merlin whispers again. Merlin raises the staff and shoot, but Tauren absorbs the energy bolt with the Stone and sends it back at Merlin. Merlin is knocked unconscious.
'But that was the death spell how the hell did you survive?' asked Arthur shocked.
'I told you I'm not quite mortal and in this case that particular spell does not work,' replied Merlin.
Tauren sneaks up behind Uther.
'I will strive to listen to you more and quarrel with you less. You've been a blessing to me, Morgana. You are the daughter I never had. Your counsel is invaluable, as is your friendship and your love. Without you, I cannot hope to be the king this land deserves,' the king admits.
'My Lord...!' Morgana begins.
'Please forgive me, Morgana,' Uther apologizes once more.
Morgana sees Tauren sneaking up behind Uther with a raised sword.
'No! No!' Morgana cries.
'So she changed her mind at last moment,' said Arthur.
Merlin nodded.
Uther blocks the blow and wrestles with Tauren. Merlin wakes. Tauren pins Uther down and draws a dagger, which Uther tries to block.
'Die, Uther Pendragon!' Uther's enemy cries.
Merlin approaches with the staff, but Tauren is stabbed in the back. Uther pushes him off and Morgana drops the dagger. Merlin climbs the bottom of the hill to see Uther hugging Morgana.
Merlin enters Gaius' chambers, 'ah, busy day?' Gaius asks with a knowing smile.
'Had its moments,' admits Merlin.
'I hear that Tauren tried to assassinate Uther,' Gaius comments.
'Only just found out about Morgana's – er – involvement,' Gaius said.
'At that point I thought she had repented so I left it be,' Merlin said, 'but then her later deeds out shadowed the failed assassination attempt.'
'That's what I hear,' Merlin shrugged.
'And that Morgana saved him. How many men were there? Three? Four?' questions the old man.
'Yeah, something like that,' agrees Merlin.
'Morgana must have shown extraordinary courage to have defended a king against such odds. I suppose you had nothing to do with it?' the physician asks cryptically.
'Oh, you know. Just background stuff,' Merlin said.
'No need to be so modest, Merlin,' Gaius said.
'Sorry,' Merlin said.
'It wasn't a criticism, Merlin, honey,' smiled Hunith.
'I know,' Merlin blushed, 'but I'm not used to Gaius giving compliments.'
'He's always been that way,' agreed Hunith.
'Oi,' Gaius said.
'It's not a criticism. It's a compliment,' laughed Gaius.
'Right. Thanks, Gaius,' Merlin mutters.