The Nightmare Begins
'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 once again intoned.
One night late in Camelot when there is a storm brewing Morgana is tossing and turning in her sleep.
'She's having a vision,' Gwen said.
'What now?' Hunith sighed.
Merlin didn't answer knowing if he had done things differently Morgana may not be the psychopathic sorceress that she was now. Gaius was feeling much the same.
Her eyes blearily opened bright gold.
'Magic,' Percival said.
Merlin nodded.
The candle on Morgana's table lights up.
'It was Morgana,' Leon understood.
Merlin nodded, 'accidentally,' Merlin defended the girl.
'Are you defending Morgana?' asked Arthur coolly.
'Then,' Merlin sighed.
Gwen walks in with a pile of blankets, 'I brought you some extra blankets I thought you were cold…' then she sees the lit candle. Frowning Gwen blows out the candle and leaves the room.
Morgana continues to toss and turn in her bed. Once again her eyes flashed gold and the candle relit. Morgana suddenly sits up and looks around then her eyes go bright gold and the candle's flame rises up to the curtain and then she screams and the glass in the windows blow out of the window.
The next morning the king is inspecting the scene of the fire. Merlin is talking and Gwen is telling what happened, 'I came back in with blankets and there was a candle but I blew it out.'
'Are you sure?' asked the king.
'I blew it out,' Gwen repeated.
'Guinevere has been Morgana's servant for years if she says it blew out I believe her,' Arthur defended the maid.
'Lightening struck the castle last night that could have started the fire,' suggested Arthur.
'Perhaps,' Uther didn't look convinced.
'What other explanation is there?' asked Arthur.
'Magic,' grinned Gwaine.
'Someone started the fire, deliberately' Uther said fingering the curtain.
Arthur frowns as Arthur walks off. Gwen and Merlin both frown.
Arthur and Uther are walking down the castle halls.
'How did they get up to Morgana's chambers?' asked Uther.
'I don't know,' Arthur said. 'There are too many guards they shouldn't be able to.'
'Yet they managed to do so,' Uther said.
'I can't explain it,' Arthur said.
'Well I can,' Uther said. 'They used magic!' the paranoid king said.
'He's right but I wish he hadn't worked it out,' Merlin sighed.
'Arrest all those we've got under suspicion!' the king ordered.
'That's going to take time,' Arthur said.
'My ward has been attacked,' Uther reminds his son.
'No she's not,' sighed Arthur.
'Time is something we don't have.'
Merlin is walking up to his chambers when he hears Morgana and Gaius talking.
'What you have to do with the fire starting in the first place?' Gaius asked.
'You don't understand,' Morgana admits.
'You can trust me, you know you can,' Gaius comforted her.
'It started so quickly, it was terrifying,' Morgana said.
'It's alright,' Gaius comforted the seer. 'You're safe now.'
'You're the only one I've told about my dreams,' Morgana admits. 'I know I can trust you, Gaius.'
'Yes, of course, you can,' Gaius said.
'It was me,' Morgana admits looking petrified.
'She was really scared of what she was,' sighed Arthur.
Merlin nods.
'I set the room alight, I started the fire,' Morgana admits as Merlin's eyes widen.
'I don't understand,' Gaius says, 'did you knock a candle over?' asks the old man.
'No,' Morgana shakes her head, 'I did it just by looking at it. The flame suddenly leapt higher.'
'It could have been a gust of wind,' Gaius suggested.
'I should have told the truth,' sighed Gaius. 'Maybe she would have turned out differently.'
Merlin nods, 'I know,' he sighs.
'You wanted to,' Gaius reminds him, 'you did as I was told.'
'It wasn't, it was me,' Morgana repeats. 'It was magic,' Morgana's voice shakes.
Merlin's eyes widen further.
'My child-'Gaius begins in a comforting manner.
'I'm not a child!' Morgana retorts angry.
'The fire was an accident it had nothing to do with you how could it have?' Gaius asks.
'You really should have told her the truth,' said Gwen.
Gaius nods sadly.
'I am going to draw you up a fresh remedy. I promise you. You must draw me,' Gaius says placing a hand on the lady's shoulder.
Later in Gaius' chambers Gaius is at his work station while Merlin sits at the table, 'I was helping clear up Morgana's chambers earlier,' the warlock said.
'Mmh,' murmured Gaius not listening.
'The window was blown out into the courtyard below,' Merlin said.
'Mmh,' Gaius was still concentrating more on his science than his ward.
'That's odd isn't it? If the fire was started by lightening striking the tower you'd think the glass would have fallen on the inside of the window. It was magic; you know it was. And more importantly so does she!' Merlin said.
'Morgana knows nothing for certain,' retorts Gaius.
'And that makes it even worse she doesn't know what's happening to her and it's tearing her apart,' Merlin said.
'And what would you have me do?' demands Gaius.
'Talk to her,' suggest Hunith, 'she needs someone to talk to her. And she trusts you.'
'Trusted,' corrected Gaius with a sigh.
'Talk to her,' Merlin said simply. 'Tell her that she'll be okay, that her powers are nothing to be afraid of.'
'I can't,' Gaius said.
'Maybe I can speak to her,' suggested Merlin.
'No Merlin you can't!' Gaius turned around sharply to face the boy.
'Why not?' demanded Merlin. 'I understand what she's going through!'
'You must never reveal you secret, not to anyone!' Gaius ordered.
'If not me someone else,' Merlin said.
'Who?' demanded Gaius. 'This is a kingdom where magic is outlawed!
Arthur winced at this; how much easier it would be for Merlin and Morgana if that were not the case. Morgana may not have turned out like she did if that were the case.
Or have you forgotten that?'
'Like I could,' Merlin muttered bitterly.
Arthur winced again.
'There are those who still practice it,' Merlin said suddenly. 'What about the druids you said they help people like this.'
'Oh,' Arthur's eyes widened, 'she went to them of her own free will.'
Merlin nodded.
'But we killed them,' whispered Leon.
Merlin's eyes tightened.
'No wonder she hates me,' murmured Arthur.
Merlin sighs.
'Uther's vowed to destroy them,' Gaius said.
Arthur winced he'd always been against the destruction of the Druids they didn't seem to be any threat!
'The druids cannot help her,' Gaius turned around.
'Then who can?' Merlin demanded.
'I will as I've always done,' Gaius picked up his bag.
'Then you need to be honest with her,' Merlin said.
'What makes you so certain you know better than me?' demanded Gaius.
'He went through the same thing,' muttered Hunith.
'Because I went through the same thing! I know exactly what she's feeling,' Merlin said.
Gaius looked at the warlock for a moment, 'you cannot get involve in this,' he said. 'No good can come of it. I mean it Merlin, stay out of it!'
Merlin walks the palace corridor with a bunch of flowers when Arthur starts towards him.
'Ah Merlin I need you to…' he trails off as he takes in Merlin's presence hands behind his back. 'What are you hiding behind your back?'
'Nothing,' Merlin said quickly. 'See,' Merlin shows his hands.
'What are you up to?' Arthur said trying to see behind Merlin.
Merlin tries to avoid him.
'Nothing,' he badly lies.
Arthur rolled his eyes, 'you really can't lie!'
'I would never lie to you,' Merlin lied.
'Right,' Arthur rolled his eyes.
'I respect you far too much for that,' Merlin said.
'In other words you don't respect me,' Arthur looked offended.
'I never said that,' Merlin said.
'You implied it,' Gaius added.
'Now there was something you wanted,' Merlin reminded his master.
Arthur gives Merlin a suspicious looks.
'Yes,' he says slowly. 'My chain mail needs cleaning,' he said suspiciously.
'Oh well,' Merlin said. 'I'll see to it right away,' Merlin waits till Arthur turns around and he turns around.
Arthur sees the flowers and grins as the servant walks off in the direction of the lady's chambers.
Outside Morgana's chambers Merlin knocks. The door opens to Gwen.
'How is she?' asked Merlin quietly.
'I've never seen her like this,' Gwen sighs.
They both looked towards Morgana's bed where the seer is stirring restlessly.
'I'm scared to leave her on her own,' admitted Gwen. 'I'm scared to leave her on her own.'
'Is there anything I can do to help?' Merlin asked.
Morgana groans.
'I'd better get back to her,' Gwen said.
Merlin gives Gwen a bunch of flowers, 'I'll make sure she knows who they're from,' smiled Gwen.
Later that evening Gwen is sitting on Morgana's bed.
'I can stay if you like,' Gwen said.
'You've already done so much,' Morgana shakes her head.
'I don't mind,' Gwen assured her friend.
'I'll be fine,' Morgana said.
'Really?' asked Gwen.
Morgana nods and Gwen places a comforting hand on Morgana's leg. Gwen turns to leave.
'Gwen?' Morgana called her friend. 'Take the candle.'
'She was scared of what she was cable of,' sighed Merlin. 'If she had been taught how to control herself,' Merlin said guiltily.
'It wasn't your fault,' Gaius said. 'I gave you bad advice.'
Gwen smiles and takes the candle leaving. Morgana lies down and attempts to sleep but soon sits up her eyes turning liquid gold once again. The vase of flowers that Merlin had given her shatters into pieces. Morgana looks shaky and scared as though she's about to cry.
In the physician's chamber Morgana walks in to where Merlin is.
'Is Gaius is in?' asks Morgana shakily.
'Er, no, he's not here at the moment, he should be back any moment though,' Merlin said.
'I need to see him!' Morgana demands. 'Where is he?'
'He's gone to see the king,' Merlin explained. 'What's wrong?'
'Like you don't know,' snorted Gwen.
'Morgana,' Merlin said.
'I don't understand anything anymore,' Morgana said tears in her eyes. 'I need to know what's happening to me.'
Morgana leaves quickly.
Merlin makes his way down to the dragon's cave.
'I need you help,' Merlin calls. 'Do you know where the druids are?'
'First you must tell me why,' Kilgharrah said.
'That doesn't matter,' Merlin said.
'It does to me,' Kilgharrah said.
'What's his problem?' asked Gwaine.
'You'll see,' Merlin said grimly.
'I need there help,' Merlin said. 'Oh,' sighed Merlin. 'Someone I care about needs there help.'
'You speak of the witch, the Lady Morgana?' the Great Dragon said.
'How is he so omniscient?' asked Percival.
'Good question,' Merlin said.
'He's ancient,' Gaius said.
'Why does he call her a witch even then?' asked Gwen, 'it's like he knows what she becomes.'
'Kilgharrah knows a lot about destiny,' Merlin said grim.
'She's not a witch,' retorted Merlin. 'She's my friend.'
'She cannot be trusted!' Kilgharrah informed them.
'How true is that,' sighed Arthur.
'What makes you say that?' Merlin asks.
'It would be better if the witch-'the Great Dragon begins.
'Stop calling her that,' Merlin said.
'It would be better if the witch never knew the true extent of her powers,' the Great Dragon ignores the boy.
'You're wrong; I know her she has a good heart,' Merlin said.
'You have failed to heed my advice in the past and it brought grave consequences,' Kilgharrah said.
'I won't abandon her,' Merlin stated.
'I won't help you in this,' the Great Dragon said. 'If you pursue this course of action you do so alone,' he warned.
Merlin looked annoyed and left the cave with the dragon staring after him.
In Arthur's chambers Merlin is working when Arthur and Sir Leon enter.
'Are you sure that's all of them?' Arthur asked.
'Names and last known dwelling places,' Leon agrees.
'My father suspects the fire was started by sorcery,' Arthur explains.
'As it was,' Arthur said.
'I don't think he inspected his daughter,' Merlin reminded him.
Arthur scowled at the reminder of their relationship.
'Indeed, sire,' Sir Leon agrees. 'I've included details of all the people suspected of consorting with sorcerers, witches or druids.'
'Which would include everyone in this room,' Merlin added.
'Only because of you,' Arthur said.
Merlin looked unimpressed as he continues cleaning Arthur's shoes, 'gather the men we'll arrest them immediately!' Arthur orders. 'I thought I told you to do that yesterday,' he looks at Merlin with the boots.
'I was busy… mucking out the stables,' Merlin lied.
'That's strange a little bird told me that you were somewhere else last night,' Arthur said.
Merlin magically makes the scroll open up for him.
'You didn't need words for that,' Leon said.
'I've been doing that before I could say my own name,' Merlin said.
He begins to copy down an address, 'mucking out tables is strange and a talking bird isn't?'
Gwaine burst out laughing.
'Merlin, what have we said about you trying to be funny?' asked Arthur.
'I shouldn't,' Merlin said.
Arthur nods and turns around. 'So where were my flowers?' the prince asks.
'Your flowers?' asked Merlin blankly still reading the scroll.
'That's illegal,' Arthur muttered.
'I'm illegal,' retorted Merlin.
'I heard Morgana got some I assumed you would be putting them in all the rooms,' Arthur raised an eyebrow. 'Or is Morgana the only one to receive a token of your affection?'
'Yes,' Merlin said without thinking about it. 'No, no, no,' Merlin said quickly. 'Er what? It's not a token of anything affection or otherwise.'
'I see,' Arthur turned back around and Merlin began reading the scroll again. 'So why were you trying to hide them from me yesterday?'
'I wasn't,' Merlin said. 'Er… I mean… I just… I didn't want you to get a wrong impression.'
'That worked,' smirked Gwaine.
Merlin rolled his eyes.
'What's the right impression?' asked Arthur.
'That I was trying to cheer her up after the fire,' Merlin explained whilst reading the scroll.
'Pick them yourself?' Arthur asked.
'Maybe,' Merlin said making the scroll fall on the floor.
Arthur gave a knowing smile to his servant and nods not believing his friend.
'I was only trying to be nice,' Merlin said.
Arthur nodded, 'sword.'
Merlin hands Arthur his sword, 'that'll be all,' Arthur said.
Merlin leaves quickly with Arthur watching after him suspiciously.
In the courtyard the guards drag suspects into the castle.
'They look so much crueller from this point of view,' Leon said.
'They're just following orders,' Merlin said bitterly.
Merlin watches and he gets to a door and is unable to open it so he whispers, 'Ic I tospringae.'
'What does that mean?' asked Leon.
'I open yea quickly,' Merlin shrugged.
The bolt opens and Merlin enters pushing his way past hanging rabbits and cloths.
'Forridel,' Merlin calls.
'Who are you?' a blonde woman comes up behind him.
'The king's men are coming for you,' Merlin said.
There's a knock at the door, 'check in there!'
The two run out and look from behind a wall as the guards continue to search the city.
'How did you know they were coming for me?' Forridel asks.
'I'm Prince Arthur's servant,' Merlin explained.
'Who is helping my father's enemies,' Arthur said.
'In Uther's view I'm an enemy,' Merlin retorted.
'You took a great risk, thank you,' the girl nods.
'I'm just sorry I couldn't help them all,' Merlin looks over towards the other prisoners.
'We'd better go,' Forridel moves to leave.
'Wait I need you help, I need to know how to contact the druids,' Merlin stopped her.
'I wouldn't know anything about them,' Forridel lies.
'You don't need to lie to me,' Merlin said quickly.
'I'm not lying,' Forridel lies again.
'Please, if it weren't for me you'd be under arrest,' Merlin reminds her.
'You know I'm not a spy for Uther! I'm a friend of the druids I need their help,' Merlin explains looking over his shoulder.
'Well that's true enough,' Gaius nods.
Forridel looks at the young man for second before she nods, 'what do you want to know?'
Later that night Merlin turns up at Morgana's chambers.
'Gaius asked me to deliver this,' Merlin shows a bottle of potion.
'I don't need any potion, thank you,' Morgana says. 'Merlin, ignore what I said last night I had a nightmare I was upset!'
'I know I haven't said anything to anyone,' Merlin promised.
'I'm sorry,' Morgana turns away and storms off tears in her eyes, 'it's usually Gwen who has to deal with me when I'm like this.'
Gwen nods sadly, 'she's not a strong as she pretends to be.'
'I don't mind,' Merlin assured her. 'Maybe I could help,' the warlock suggests.
'I doubt that,' Morgana has tears in her eyes as she laughs still not turning around to face Merlin.
'I understand. I realise how frightening this is for you. Especially for you,' Merlin closes the door.
'Especially?' asked Hunith.
'Why especially for me?' Morgana turns to face the boy.
'You're the King's Ward you know his hatred of magic better than anyone,' Merlin explained.
'That's what you think has been happening to me?' demands Morgana.
'I should have left it well alone,' Merlin sighed, 'maybe things would have changed!'
'You can't know that,' Gaius said.
'The dreams, the fire you think it was magic,' Morgana said.
'I'm not saying that,' Merlin said quickly.
'But it could be, couldn't it!' Morgana demands.
'I really wouldn't know,' Merlin lies.
'I should have told her the truth about me,' Merlin sighed.
'You have no idea what she could have done with that knowledge,' Arthur said, 'she tried to kill father before she knew she was magic. And now she knows the truth she could have roped you into her assassination attempts.'
Merlin nodded, 'I suppose,' but he still frowned not looking convinced.
'But there are people who do,' Merlin said.
'Who?' Morgana asked tensely.
'What about their druids?' suggested Merlin. 'They help people like you.'
'None of their kind would dare show their face in Camelot,' Morgana shook her head.
'No,' Merlin agreed.
Morgana looks hopeless.
'But I know where you find them,' Merlin said.
The next day Morgana's absence has been noted.
'The guards have completed their search, there's no trace of her,' Arthur informs their father.
'Encircle the city no one gets in or out,' the king ordered.
'Well that worked,' muttered Merlin.
Gaius comes in, 'you sent for me, sire.'
'Yes, what time did you deliver the sleeping draught to Morgana?' asked the king.
'Well I-'began Gaius.
'The guards said that Merlin delivered it after she retired to her chambers,' Arthur added.
Gaius gives a sharp look.
'So she was safe then?' asked the king.
'Safe but scared,' sighed Merlin.
'Well I suppose she must have been,' agreed Gaius.
Uther and Arthur leave.
Gaius turns to Merlin.
'I didn't ask you to take this to Morgana last night,' Gaius holds up the bottle.
'I used some initiative I thought you'd be pleased,' Merlin replied.
'Those warning bells are ringing because Uther thinks Morgana's been kidnapped,' he informed the boy.
Merlin doesn't react.
'And you don't see overly concerned,' Gaius adds.
'She can look after herself,' Merlin said.
'Merlin, what have you done?' demanded Gaius/
'What you refused to,' Merlin turned and looked his mentor in the eye.
'He has a point,' uncle,' Hunith nodded.
'I helped her!'
'This ends now. People's lives are at risk, Morgana's included.'
Arthur winced, 'she was so frightened no wonder she turned against us.'
Merlin nodded sadly.
'Where is she?' demands Gaius.
'She's gone to the Forest of Ascetir to find the Druids,' Merlin finally told the old man.
'I told you not to get involved,' Gaius said.
'What choice did he have?' asked Hunith, 'she needed help you refused to give. She was in the same situation as Merlin and you helped him.'
'I had to, because you wouldn't even acknowledge she had magic!' Merlin said.
'For good reason!' Gaius said.
'No you don't understand. You don't understand what it's like,' Merlin turned around. 'The years before I came here were the loneliest of my life.'
'Why?' asked Gwen, 'you had Will.'
Merlin nodded, 'but mother didn't like me hanging around with people.'
'I didn't want him revealing his secret,' Hunith said.
'Morgana is the King's Ward,' Gaius said. 'He situation is completely different to you.'
'Not really,' Hunith shook her head.
'I know I've got you, she hasn't,' Merlin said.
Gaius winced at those words, 'I should have become a friend to her as well.'
Gaius looks hurt, 'I've always taken good care of Morgana.'
'It's not the same,' Merlin protested. 'Everything that's good and right about magic I learnt from you. I'd be lost without you. Like she is now,' Merlin sighed. 'Do you understand why I did what I did?' the warlock asked.
'Yes,' Gaius admitted. 'I do. But that doesn't mean I don't fear the consequence.'
'Did you suspect what she would become?' asked Gwen.
Gaius shook his head, 'I just meant Uther's reaction.'
Arthur nodded sadly.
In a valley Morgana walks dressed in a red cloak and dress she looks around as she hears the rustling of animals.
That night Gaius' is snoring in his bed when Merlin comes out he ends up knocking stuff off the table.
'Still clumsy,' laughed Arthur.
'You know me,' grinned Merlin.
Arthur grinned glad that his clumsiness wasn't all faked.
'Gestillan,' whispered Merlin.
'What was that?' asked Arthur.
'Be still,' shrugged Merlin.
'You rely on magic too much,' Gaius said.
'Well I am a warlock,' retorted Merlin.
'In a land where magic is punishable by death,' Gaius reminded the warlock.
Merlin nodded sadly.
'Gestillan,' Merlin repeats and he levitates the bottle, the jug, and the brush back into their original position. He picks up his back pack and ends up knocking the brush over again.
Gaius mumbles in his sleep and turns over but doesn't wake.
Outside Merlin watches the guards on watch take a drink.
'Forbearnan firgenholt,' Merlin whispers and the torch in the stand flares up.
Leon had heard what had happened, 'what spell was that?'
'Burn the wood,' Merlin said.
'Such a simple spell and it terrified the guards,' Arthur muttered.
Merlin shrugged, 'I'm a very powerful sorcerer,' he reminds the prince.
The guards shout out and back away allowing Merlin to run past. He gets to the grates and the warlock shouts, 'tospringe,' the grates is blown clean out.
'What was that?' asked Arthur remembering inspecting the grate.
'Open quickly,' Merlin shrugged.
'So powerful,' muttered Arthur once again glad that Merlin was on his side.
In the wood's Morgana continues to make her way through the forest. She screams when she sees a small Serket. She backs away from it. Then a bigger one comes from behind her. Soon she is surrounded by Serkets she is stung on the leg and falls. Then a man in orange comes pushing the Serkets away. We barely see him as Morgana falls unconscious.
The next morning Gaius is up, 'Come on Merlin, out of you bed!' Gaius calls his ward.
'He's not there,' Gwaine grinned.
'You'll be late for work,
'He never turned up for work,' Arthur said.
'I wasn't in Camelot,' Merlin reminded the regent.
Merlin?' Gaius asks opening his ward's door where he can see that Merlin isn't there.
'Your room is cleaner than normal,' Hunith said pleased.
Merlin is in the mountains.
Morgana wakes up to a druid bending over her and panics.
'It's alright, I'm not going to hurt you,' the druid assures the girl.
Morgana tries to put weight on her leg and moans.
'You've hurt your leg, try not to move it,' suggested the druid.
'What happened?' demands the lady.
'Can't she remember?' asked Percival.
Merlin shrugged, 'I wasn't there for that bit.'
'She was tired, scared, poisoned and in pain and has just woken up after everything; her memory probably wasn't the best,' Gaius said.
'You were stung by a Serket I came to help,' the druid explained.
Morgana begins to panic.
'Relax Morgana,' the druid puts a hand on her. 'You're safe now. My name is Aglain,' he introduces himself.
'Who told you my name?' Morgana demands.
'I did,' Mordred walks through the tent.
'You,' Morgana said.
The witch and the druid boy have a connection.
Merlin tenses knowing of the alliance they would form.
'When the Serkets attacked you last night Mordred was able to sense your distress with his mind.'
'Telepathy,' Gaius understood.
Merlin nods.
'Hello Morgana,' Mordred says telepathically.
Morgana turns to the old druid, 'did you hear that?' she asks. 'How did you do that?' she turns to the druid boy.
'We don't always need words to communicate with each other,' the old druid explains.
'Indeed,' Merlin speaks in everybody's head.
They all jumped.
'Don't do that!' snapped Arthur.
Merlin just grinned.
'Now I can take care of you,' Mordred sits down beside Morgana, 'like you did me,' he reminds her of the time in Camelot.
Morgana and Mordred smile at each other.
Back at Camelot Uther, Arthur and Gaius along with some guards are inspecting where Merlin broke out.
'There's some confusion as to how that was broke,' Arthur is saying.
'Or not,' muttered Arthur.
'By the look of these scorch marks-'Arthur began.
'There is no confusion!' Uther said. 'It was magic. The same magic that was used to start the fire in Morgana's chambers,' Uther stands up.
'No it was not,' Merlin said insulted.
'To Uther all magic is the same,' Gaius says gently.
Merlin muttered mutinously but nodded.
'Where does the trail lead?' the king asks.
'The Forest of Ascetir,' Arthur said.
'We've long suspected that the Druids have hidden there,' Uther said.
Gaius looks worried but doesn't say anything.
'The trail will lead us straight to them,' Arthur adds.
Arthur sighs knowing what he had done to the innocent druids had been wrong.
'It's time we rid ourselves of these druids once and for all,' Uther decides.
Merlin glares at the box 'not that that would work,' Merlin growled, 'you'd wipe out a tribe but there are many different groups of druids all around Albion.'
Uther walks off and Gaius turns to do the same when Arthur stops him, 'Where's Merlin?'
'Um … he, um…. He's not well,' Gaius lied badly.
'And you say I lie badly,' grinned Merlin.
Gaius rolled his eyes at the young man.
'He's still upset about Morgana, isn't he?' Arthur sighed.
'We all are,' Gaius nods.
'Tell him to stop pining, and pull himself together and get back to work,' Arthur told him.
'I'm not and have never been in love with Morgana!' Merlin said blushing.
'But you were attracted to her,' laughed Gwaine.
Merlin groaned completely embarrassed, 'when I was nineteen!'
Arthur grinned, 'well we can forgive the warlock for falling for the witch.'
'I hate you,' Merlin said putting his face in his hands.
'Love you too,' laughed Gwaine.
Merlin looked up rolling his eyes.
Arthur rides out on horse with the foot knights and dogs.
In the forest Merlin lights a fire with a simple spell, 'forebane.'
'You know that's how we found them,' said Arthur.
Merlin nodded sadly, 'I should never have used the word for "burn up"' Merlin said, 'I should have just used onhǽte for heat so I got warm without leaving any evidence of my presence,' Merlin lamented. 'Maybe if Morgana's friends weren't all killed by the knights she wouldn't have gone so evil!' he finished
'You can't change what happened,' Gaius said sagely. 'We'll never know what could have been!'
'I know,' Merlin sighed, 'I just wonder.'
'Me too, Merlin, me too,' sighed Gaius.
Voices start sounding in Merlin's head.
'This is what you hear?' asked Arthur.
'I could hear whatever telepathic conversations were around,' Merlin explained.
'But they weren't destined for you,' Gaius frowned.
'I'm very powerful,' Merlin reminded his mentor.
Gaius nods.
'Hello?' Merlin calls. 'Is someone there?' he calls again picking up a torch and looking around.
'… Aren't something to be afraid of…' Merlin hears snippets of Morgana and Aglain's conversation.
The voices are making Merlin spin.
'The voices seem maddening,' Percival nods.
'Well hearing voices in your head are a sign of madness,' smirked Arthur.
'Not when they're caused by magic,' Merlin laughed.
'No that's possession,' grinned Arthur.
Merlin rolled his eyes.
'…now I can take care of you…' Mordred is saying.
'…this might make you feel more at home…' Aglain tells Morgana.
'… great risk…' Morgana adds.
Merlin closes his eyes trying to locate the direction the voices are coming from.
'…look after you…' Mordred tells Morgana.
'…in time you will learn…' Aglain is teaching Morgana.
'Unfortunately,' Arthur said darkly.
'What would you like to know?' asked Aglain.
Gaius knocks on the door and is admitted by the guard to where the king is standing, 'is there any word from Arthur?' he asks.
'No sire, not yet,' Gaius approaches his friend, 'but they hadn't been gone long.'
'Yes, of course,' agrees Uther.
'Why are you so certain she's been kidnapped?' asked Gaius.
'Whatever possibilities are there?' asked Uther.
'She ran away,' sighed Gwen.
'She was very upset after the fire, she could have gone of her own accord,' suggests Gaius.
'That's not Morgana,' Uther shakes his head.
'You don't know her very well,' muttered Merlin.
'She deceived us all not just father,' Arthur reminded his friend.
Merlin nods, 'she ever deceived me for a bit.'
'Really?' asks Gwen.
'I wanted to believe she had changed,' Merlin sighed. 'I was wrong.'
Gaius nods.
'In all the years I've known her I've never known her run from anything,' Uther said.
'Except her own powers,' Gwen sighed.
'She takes after her father too much for that,' Uther explained.
'I agree,' Merlin muttered.
'He was talking about himself not Gorlois I realise that now,' Gaius said.
'Do you reckon Gorlois knew?' asked Arthur.
'I doubt it,' Gaius said, 'we'd have heard if that were true.'
'You haven't let Gorlois down,' Gaius assured the king. 'You've looked after her as if she were your own.'
'Which she is,' Leon added.
'That is what she's become,' Uther admitted.
'She always was,' added Merlin.
Gaius nods but says nothing.
Arthur and his knights are getting closer to the druid camp.
Merlin is making his way deeper into the forest.
Morgana is pouring herself a cup of water from a jug when Aglain enters, 'I trust you slept well.'
'Better than I've done in days,' Morgana looks happy there.
'She looks happy there,' Arthur said, 'and we took her back to where she was going to be unhappy.'
Merlin nods, 'at least you're not the one who led the knights to her.'
'You didn't mean to,' Hunith said kindly.
'You need to learn subtlety,' Gaius said.
Merlin nods, 'I think I have now,' Merlin admits.
'Here this might make you feel more at home,' Aglain hands her some druid robes.
'That's what you heard,' Arthur realised.
Arthur has disembarked; he and his knights are making there way through the forest.
Merlin has reached the druid settlement and watches them from behind a tree.
Morgana and Aglain exit Morgana's tent with Morgana in druid dress.
'They're surprised to see you here, if not a little afraid,' the old druid informs the young witch.
'They have nothing to fear from me,' Morgana assured her friend. 'I do not share Uther's hated of magic!' she said bitterly.
'She was bitter of Uther even then,' Merlin sighed.
'No I imagine you wouldn't,' Aglain agrees. 'These forests are dangerous,' the druids points out.
'I think she realises that,' muttered Gaius.
'Why stay somewhere so dangerous?' asks Gwen.
'For protectionfrom Uther,' Merlin said, 'people avoid those forests because of the Serkets.'
Arthur nodded.
'What brings you so far from Camelot?' asks the druid.
'I'm searching for answers,' the sorceress explains. 'I hoped the druids might be able to give them to me.'
'Come,' Aglain takes the girl by hand.
Arthur inspects Merlin's fire while the knights and the dogs wait. He hears the sound of Serkets.
'Keep moving,' the prince orders, 'this way,' they follow Merlin's trail.'
Merlin sneaks behind clothes lines and tents staying out of sight.
'Why were you hiding?' asked Percival, 'they'd know who you were.'
Merlin shrugged, 'I was used to hiding who I am, and didn't want any complications with people knowing I was about.'
'Mordred would have probably told them anyway,' Gaius said.
Merlin nods, 'true,' he consents.
'What would you like to know?' Aglain asks Morgana as Merlin watches the two.
'Why I can see the future in my dreams? Why I can start fires with my mind?' Morgana looks terrified.
'People who are able to do that are far and in between,' the druid admits.
'Really?' asked Arthur.
'Anyone can learn,' Merlin said. 'And lots have an instinct for magic than others but those who can just use magic accidentally aren't uncommon; seers however are one in a million.'
Arthur nods, 'it must be hard for her.'
Merlin nods.
'You have a gift,' Aglain said.
'Is it magic?' Morgana asked looking terrified.
Merlin rolled his eyes, 'what else?'
'Of a kind yes, but it will be years before you can understand it properly let alone use it,' Aglain informs her.
'It hasn't been that long,' Leon frowned.
'No but she often uses magical artefacts rather than raw power,' Merlin explained.
'This isn't something to be afraid of,' Aglain assures the young seer.
'It is if you have Uther as your guardian,' Morgana adds bitterly.
'She has a point,' sighed Hunith.
'If he found out he'd have-'Morgana begins.
'I don't think he could put Morgana to death,' Gaius said. 'He's many things but he does love his children.'
'He won't,' assured Aglain.
'But if he did-'Morgana says.
'We won't let that happen. You're safe here,' the druid assures the girl. 'You shouldn't be scared of Uther you should pity him.'
'And he calls us the evil ones,' muttered Merlin.
'Pity why?' asked Arthur, 'you have every reason to be afraid and hate him more than he has you!'
'Pity him for his hatred, his ignorance and fear,' Merlin said.
'Pity?' Morgana asks disbelieving and bitter. 'Why?'
'Seems like Pendragons are more alike than they seem,' grinned Gwaine.
'Not the time Gwaine,' Elyan said gently he love his little sister he couldn't imagine what it would be like to have a evil psychotic, killer of a sister like Morgana as a sister.
'Because he's a broken man consumed by fear,' explained the druid.
'Even more since Morgana's betrayal,' Gaius said grimly.
'His hatred of magic has driven goodness from his heart,' Aglain said.
'As her fear of Uther drove goodness from Morgana's heart,' Merlin added.
'I've always been taught that magic is evil,' Morgana said. 'That it corrupts your soul.'
Merlin shook his head.
'Uther told you this,' Aglain correctly summarized. 'Just because he decrees it so doesn't make it so.'
Merlin nods in agreement.
Morgana watches the older man, 'you will learn that magic doesn't have to be a dark shrouded in secrecy it can be a force for good, too.'
Merlin nods smiling.
Morgana smiles looking happy as Merlin nods, having overheard the whole conversation.
In the woods Arthur and the knights spot the smoke from the druid's fire realising where the druids are.
Merlin suddenly bursts into Morgana's tent Morgana gasps and sits up surprised to see Merlin there.
'Merlin,' she says in shock. 'What are you doing here?'
'I've come to take you back to Camelot,' Merlin replies.
'She's not going to like that,' muttered Gwen.
'Do you blame her?' asked Merlin.
'No,' admits Arthur.
'Then I'm afraid you've had a wasted journey. I'm never going back,' Morgana shakes her head.
'You have to,' Merlin said desperately.
'Why?' demands Morgana. 'You're the one who told me I should seek out the druids!'
'She has a point,' Hunith sighed.
'I never realised what the repercussions would be,' Merlin explained.
'What repercussions?' asks Morgana.
'The king thinks you've been kidnapped,' Merlin explained. 'He's arrested dozens of people lined up to be executed.'
'If I return, the same fate awaits me,' Morgana retorts.
'Uther doesn't need to know about this. I won't tell a soul,' Merlin promised.
'A promise I've kept till now,' Merlin adds.
Arthur and the knights are surrounding the village.
Morgana shook her head, 'I'm sorry. I'm staying. I'm never going back! These are my people! I don't feel so alone here, do you understand?'
'Better than anybody,' Merlin admits.
'Of course you do,' sighs Hunith.
'Morgana,' Aglain bursts in. 'We've got to go,' then he catches sight of Merlin. 'Who are you?' he demands.
'He didn't recognize you,' frowned Gaius.
Merlin shrugged, 'he's the only druid who hasn't known me on sight. I've never figured out why.'
'He probably isn't that powerful,' Gaius admits.
'It, it's alright he's a friend,' Morgana speaks up for Merlin.
'How things change,' Merlin sighed.
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
'It's not just you who she's tried to kill,' Merlin replied.
'What's wrong?' she asks.
'Arthur and his men are coming,' informs the druid.
Arthur winces.
'Your friend has led them straight to them,' he adds angrily.
Merlin too winces.
Arthur's men attack with the druids desperately trying to escape.
'We seem so cruel and merciless here,' sighs Arthur.
Merlin and Mordred meet again. Merlin stares at the boy destined to kill Arthur in shock. The dogs, the knights and Arthur attack causing screaming druids abandoning their items and running.
'I hate how I seen there,' murmured Arthur.
Leon nods Merlin just looks grim.
Arthur sees Aglain, Mordred and Morgana running up a valley. Aglain is helping Morgana walk but to Arthur it seems to Arthur that he's forcing Morgana with her.
'It looks like Aglain's forcing her to come with him,' Lancelot said.
'He's helping her because of her leg,' Merlin retorted.
'I didn't know that though,' Arthur said.
In the valley Merlin is ahead of the druids and Morgana when Morgana stops.
'We've got to keep going,' Aglain said urgently.
'My leg it's too painful,' moaned Morgana.
Merlin looks around, 'go I'll create a diversion!' Merlin ordered the other three.
'No you can't,' Merlin cried.
'You carry on, it's my fault they're here! Go!' Merlin ordered. 'Go,' he repeated.
Aglain takes Morgana by the hands, 'I'll never forget this,' Morgana promises.
Merlin sighs, 'that was soon forgotten.'
'Come on,' Aglain takes Morgana.
Merlin waits for them to go out of sighs then holding his hands he raises a hand, 'beanleag gesweorc,' he whispers.
'What does that mean?' asked Arthur.
'I summon the clouds to follow,' Merlin replied.
'That was the mist,' Arthur understood.
And sure enough the sound of wind and thick clouds come along surrounding the knights and Arthur. Merlin hides behind a tree then moves through the mist.
Arthur sees a figure in the mist.
'It was you,' Arthur understood.
Merlin nods.
'There!' Arthur points at his servant.
They follow Merlin but Merlin ducks in a hollow. After they pass he gets out.
Morgana, Aglain and Mordred are still stumbling through the hills. A guard spots them, 'over there!' the guard shouts.
Behind a large rock Morgana trips, 'I can't go on,' she cries.
'We're not leaving you behind,' Aglain says.
'That's very noble of them,' Lancelot says.
'Druids are very kind people,' Gaius murmurs, 'would help anybody.'
'Please,' Morgana is sweating and tired looking in pain.
'They're coming!' cries Mordred.
The knights have crossbows on fire pointing at the druids. They shoot Aglain. Mordred runs away from the two.
'We have her! We have the lady Morgana!' shouts a guard.
Arthur and small group of knights here this from the hill. Arthur runs to the side of Morgana.
Mordred too runs.
Merlin is running as well.
The knights surround Mordred. The sorcerer child screams and as he screams the knights are flung back against the trees as Merlin watches.
Arthur shivers as the child who would one day kill him.
Mordred runs off his green cloak swishing after him.
Morgana returns to Camelot where Uther helps her off Arthur's horse.
'I was so, so worried about you, my child,' Uther holds the witch in his arms relived to have his daughter back.
'You were right,' Arthur said.
'No he wasn't,' snaps Merlin.
'It was the druids,' Arthur says wrong.
'No it wasn't,' Merlin repeated tensely.
'I know,' Arthur smiles.
'The Druids would never kidnap anyone they only wish to help people,' Gaius adds.
'They kidnapped her,' Arthur finished.
'I have nothing against druids,' adds Leon. 'They saved my life.'
Merlin smiled.
Morgana looks tense as Uther pulls back and strokes his daughter's face. Uther takes Morgana in his arms only then do Morgana's true feelings surface.
'She hates him,' Arthur said.
'She has good reason too,' Merlin said.
Morgana lies on her bed back in upper class dress. A knock on the door which Morgana answers seeing Merlin there.
'Merlin,' Morgana says.
'My lady,' Merlin looks sad.
She lets him in where there is an awkward silence between the two sorcerers.
'I was just making sure you were okay,' Merlin said.
'I'm fine,' Morgana lied.
Merlin nods and Morgana looks sad, 'what was said at the woods-'Morgana began.
'You can trust me,
Merlin winces remembering when he'd last asked Morgana to trust him; what he'd done!
Morgana, I won't tell anyone,' Merlin promises.
'And I never did,' Merlin adds.
Morgana nods and smiles, 'thank you, Merlin. I know now who I am and it's not something to be scared of,' Morgana seems happy.
'That's true,' Merlin said.
'Maybe one day people will come to see magic as a force for good,' Morgana says.
'Not the way you're doing it,' muttered Merlin.
Merlin and Morgana smile at each other laughing.
'Are you sure you weren't ever in love with Morgana,' Gwen raised an eyebrow.
'I may have had feelings for her but I was never in love with her,' Merlin said. 'But I've only been in love with one person!'
'Who?' asked Hunith.
There was pain in his eyes, 'it doesn't matter its over,' Merlin said.
Arthur was about to say something when Gaius shakes his head, 'leave it it's a painful subject.'
Arthur nodded understanding.
'It's good to have you back,' Merlin admits.
Morgana smiles, 'thank you, Merlin,' repeated Morgana.
'If Morgana hadn't gone mental you two would have made a great couple,' Arthur said.
'Never ever,' Merlin said.
Merlin smiles whilst Morgana goes to the door to let him out.
'Sleep well,' she smiles.
Merlin smiles back but soon as he walks away Morgana's smile drops.
'She's already changing,' Merlin muttered.
Merlin walks down the staircase but is stopped by Arthur, 'this has to stop,' Arthur said.
'Warning Merlin off your sister, eh?' grinned Gwaine.
'She's not my sister,' growled Arthur.
Gwaine for once had the wisdom to drop the subject.
Merlin turns around to see Arthur, 'the King would have is head if he found out, and there's no point denying it.'
'Denying what?' Merlin asked.
Arthur gives Merlin a searching look.
'Your affections for Lady Morgana,' Arthur said.
Merlin laughs, 'Right!' he denies.
'Take some advice from someone who knows about woman,' Arthur places a hand on Merlin's shoulder.
'If such a person existed, I would,' Merlin assures.
'Stick to girls who are more…' Arthur trails off. 'How do I put it?' he hesitates. 'On your level,' he finally finishes.
Gwen hits her future husband, 'oi if Merlin wants to marry a lady, who also wants to marry him then she can!'
'Thanks,' Merlin smiled, 'but I don't plan on marrying.'
'Is this because of Freya?' asked Gaius gently.
Merlin winced and didn't reply. Hunith was the only one who got that something had happened to Merlin's first love which had broke her boy's heart.
'Thank!' Merlin looks awkward.
'She can't be your friend let alone anything else,' Arthur said.
'Yeah I know,' Merlin nods.
'You can't hide anything from me,' Arthur says and walks off.
'Course not,' laughed Gwaine.
Merlin laughs, 'wouldn't dream of it,' Merlin looks on sadly.
Merlin enters Gaius' chambers where Gaius is looking very serious.
'I'm sorry, Gaius,' Merlin said.
Gaius walks up to the boy still looking very serious and then pulls his ward into his arms.
Merlin looks surprised, 'I thought you'd be angry with me.'
'I was,' Gaius assures the boy. 'I was right until the moment you walked through the door and then I was just glad you were back safe and sound.'
'As I always am,' Gaius adds.
'I don't think I would be able to survive living here with Merlin,' Hunith said, 'all the trouble you get in; it would make me mad with worry.'
'Sometimes it does,' sighed Gaius.
'Morgana knows the truth,' Merlin pulls out of the hug. 'The druids told her she has magic, sorry.'
'It's not your fault,' Gaius assures him. 'You were only doing what you thought was right.'
'We both were,' Merlin nods.
'Even if we were both wrong,' Merlin sighs.
'What happens now?' asked Merlin.
'You must take care of her, and hope that Uther never discovers the truth about her powers,' Gaius said.
'That soon changed,' adds Merlin.
Gaius nods.
'And when father does find out it breaks him,' sighed Arthur.
Merlin and Gaius nod.